Birth name Ashley William Joseph Role Music performer Name Ashley Joseph | Years active 1980–present Origin Bangalore, India | |
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Born October 3, 1965 (age 58) ( 1965-10-03 ) Genres Contemporary instrumental, instrumental, crossover, new-age Occupation(s) Composer, pianist, music producer, educator, philanthropist, Orchestra conductor, Director of Indian National Symphony Orchestra Instruments Piano, keyboards, Conducting | ||
Dr. Ashley William Joseph (born 3 October 1965) is the founder and Director of the William Joseph International Academy for Performing Arts, Chairman of the William Joseph Music Foundation, Director and Conductor of the 100-year-old Bangalore Musical Association, and Founder Director and Conductor of the Indian National Symphony Orchestra.
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Early life
Dr. Ashley William Joseph was born on 3 October 1965 in Bangalore, Karnataka to a musically inclined couple, Maestro Joseph Thomas Williams and Mrs. Sarah William Joseph. Maestro J.T. Williams was the Chief Pipe Organist at St. Andrew's Church, Cubbon Road, Bangalore, Head of the Music Department at Baldwin Boys High School, Bangalore and on the board for performing arts at various old schools in Bangalore until his sudden demise in 1995. Maestro J.T. Williams died of a heart attack playing the pipe organ at St. Andrew's Church during a service. Speaking of his death later, Old Bangaloreans still say, "He praised and was in service of the Lord up until his last breath".
Growing up as the son of a great musician, Dr. Ashley naturally had an inclination towards music at a very young age. Growing up in the Old Bangalore gave him great exposure to performing arts which included music, art and theatre. Dr. Ashley attended the Baldwin Boys High School, Bangalore where Maestro J.T.Williams was also the Head of the Music Department.
Education and training
While his early learning in music and inspiration came from his father, Maestro J. T William Joseph, Dr. Williams was selected in 1985 under scholarship to pursue his professional studies of music in Manila, Philippines, where he specialized in conducting, voice, piano, guitar, organ, and ethnomusicology. He has done extensive research on the history, origin, and performance of the sitar. He also had the opportunity to perform with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philippine Madrigal Singers and the Asian Chorale. He has been honored with a Doctorate in Music by the Trinity Open University.
Achievements
Dr. Williams had the honor of being the only Indian to perform with the Asian Chorale during their tour of Sweden where they performed for the King and Queen. He has also performed as a soloist in the United Kingdom with the famous Liverpool Male Voice Ensemble. He rewrote the western music notation into Indian music notation to enable and encourage Indian musicians to be a part of the Global YouTube Symphony Orchestra.
He has been honored by various other institutions and organizations within and outside the country. In 2012 he was invited to be on the board of the Trinity School of Music, which he politely declined due to prior commitments with the Indian National Symphony Orchestra. He is on the Board of Directors and is a member of the selection committee for various music institutions both in India and broad.
In India, he is Director and Conductor of the Bangalore Musical Association, producing yearly classical concerts of serious Choral music. He is also Director and Conductor of the Indian National Symphony Orchestra.
Awards
He was honored by the then Chief Minister of Karnataka, B. S. Yeddyurappa on December 27, 2008 for outstanding contributions to the state, in the field of music and music education. His composition won the first prize on All India Radio.
The YMCA of Singapore and the International Y's Men's Club of Singapore through a joint project in aid of the Thailand flood victims honored Dr. Ashley Williams for his performance with the Thailand Sanctuary Symphony Orchestra as Guest Conductor.
Dr. Williams also received the Messenger of Peace Award from the International Cultural Development and Exchange group and the ICYE Germany. The decision to confer this award was taken at a conference in Geneva to honor the Global Peace and Harmony Concerts held over the years. He received a special citation for his contribution and performance in Singapore with the Thailand Sanctuary Symphony Orchestra to raise funds for the Thailand flood victims. He was honored for his performance in Malaysia (Ipoh) of a charity concert to raise fund for street children. He was h
onored with the Best Citizens Award for 2013.
He was honored by the Police Commissioner and the Traffic Wardens' Association for his civilian contribution towards creating awareness through music.
Notable students
India's superstar and Karnataka's pride Deepika Padukone was trained by Dr. Williams. Williams would often tell Deepika Padukone's father, Prakash Padukone, that " all she wants to do is sing, act and dance". 2011 Miss Earth Nicole Faria was also a student of Dr. Williams.
Works
Over the years Dr. Williams has directed and produced many Broadway musicals, including My Fair Lady, Man from La Mancha, Oliver Twist, Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Jungle Book, Annie, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Snow White.
He was invited to conduct the Hope of Bangkok Philharmonic Orchestra and the TSSO for charity concerts across Asia.
He has written and composed the Karnataka Traffic Warden's March.
Dr. Williams has also mentored at the Notre Dame Teachers Training College. This has led him to work closely with students across all ages and of all nationalities. He has taught and teaches music in well known schools, has conducted one of the biggest brass ensembles, and headed the musical, literary, and cultural departments in various institutions.
He e-arranged ancient Kannada ethnic songs into a modern form for the young listener. He composed and directed the theme song for the ladies of the international Inner Wheel Club.