Ashlee Mack

Teaching Interests

Piano Chamber Ensemble (two-piano and four-hand music), group piano in a keyboard lab setting, private piano lessons, contemporary music by living composers

Years at Knox: 2005-present

Education

B.M., Piano Performance, Bucknell University (2003)

Graduate coursework at Western Illinois University (2006) and University of Iowa (2007)

Selected Professional Accomplishments

Recording

2025 - Green (Sawyer Editions)

2019 - Society of Composers, Inc.: Flux, Volume 33 (Capstone Records)

2019 - Lawrence Moss: New Dawn (Innova)

2018 - James Romig: Still, for solo piano (New World Records) - 2019 FINALIST for the PULITZER PRIZE in MUSIC

2017 - James Romig: Leaves from Modern Trees (Parallax Music Press)

2017 - Khasma Piano Duo: Time Seems To Pass (Parallax Music Press)

2015 - Khasma Piano Duo: Switchback (Self-published)

2012 - Milton Babbitt, A Composer’s Memorial (PNM/Open Space)

2010 - Society of Composers, Inc.: Mosaic (Navona Records)

Artist Residencies

2019 - Petrified Forest National Park

2017 - Everglades National Park

2016 - Centrum in Fort Worden State Park, WA

2013 - Grand Canyon National Park

2013 - Wupatki National Monument

Selected Performance Venues

American Academy in Rome

University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music

Clyfford Still Museum

Eastman School of Music

Ehemaligen Spitalkirche (Germany)

Fortna (Prague)

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Cedar Rock Estate

The Juilliard School

Lawrence Conservatory

Milwaukee Art Museum

The Stone (NYC)

What Students Say

"Ashlee Mack goes beyond simple technical instruction to inspire students of a wide range of ability, experience, and interest. She shows her students how to understand music on a higher level. She is also a pianist of tremendous ability and regularly performs at Knox and in the Galesburg community, and has performed all over the world and appeared on several renowned recordings. Ashlee's performances are always defined by the same strengths that characterize her teaching-sensitivity, passion, and a profound understanding of music." --Sam Lewis, Music Major

"Ashlee is a true musician. Besides being a fantastic pianist, she is generous of spirit -- she has absolute confidence in each of her students' abilities to develop; she easily adapts to individual students' needs; her sense of humor and energy are infectious. Learning from Ashlee develops in you a more robust self-confidence, one that sticks throughout daily life, not simply when you sit at the keyboard. In the three years I've spent with her -- which have been far too little time -- my playing has certainly improved, but more importantly, I have begun to believe that most of my anxieties (from turning another musician's pages to playing a solo recital) are actually conquerable. Anyone who pays attention to what Ashlee has to teach will surely be changed." --Mattie Gulyash, Music and History Major 

"The encouragement that Ashlee Mack gives to always do one’s personal best and to put oneself fully into the music inspires students to go above and beyond what they thought was possible with their own playing. Her love of contemporary classical music and her performances of it are inspiring. Her sheer talent, attention to musical detail, and patience with students make her a phenomenal teacher with whom to take lessons with." --Kailee Gawlik, Music and German Major