Dr. Ashley Smith

Described as ‘Incandescent... a masterly display of skill and insight’ (The Age), Ashley William Smith performs as a clarinet soloist and chamber musician across Australia, the USA and Asia. A laureate of major Australian awards including the Music Council of Australia Freedman Fellowship, an ABC Symphony International Young Performer Award, a Churchill Fellowship and the APRA Performance of the Year, he is a Buffet-Crampon and D’Addario Artist.

More than 30 works have been written for him, and in 2026 he will premiere a new clarinet concerto by James Ledger with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. He has appeared worldwide with ensembles including the Australian String Quartet, Calder Quartet, Dover Quartet and Southern Cross Soloists. Ashley is an Associate Professor at the University of Western Australia (Chair of Woodwind and Deputy Head of School), and is active as an artistic director, public speaker and educator.