Michele Ashley was born, raised, and still thrives in Brooklyn, NY. She joined the MoJazz ensemble in 2018 after initially “just taking some modern jazz classes,” with longtime friend and fellow NYC educator, Audrey Madison. Prior to MoJazz, Michele had a love for moving her body to soulful music, but no formal dance training. “Before I knew it, I was performing with the ensemble at Cynthia’s birthday party, then another performance and an interview on the Carmen Mathis Show, at Manhattan Neighborhood Network.” MoJazz Dance and the sisterhood that lies within it, created the brave space for her to become a dancer.

Michele began her educational career as a bilingual schoolteacher in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Her professional journey has led her through many roles seeking to ensure that every child has access to a quality education, including Education Director for Project Reach Youth (Sunset Park), Principal of The Jesse Owens School (Bedford Stuyvesant), Assistant Superintendent (Bed-Stuy and Clinton Hill) and currently, Executive Director of the Office of School Quality for New York City Public Schools. Michele is the proud mother of daughter Nia, son Jayden and goddaughter Victoria. “A special thanks to my children for the inspiration to follow my artistic passion. Dancing set the little girl in me, that loved to dance, free!”