Ashley William Joseph

Ashley Williams
Williams in 2012
Background information
Birth name	Ashley William Joseph
Born	(1965-10-03) 3 October 1965 (age 59)
Origin	Bangalore, India
Genres	Contemporary instrumental, instrumental, crossover, new-age
Occupation(s)	Composer, pianist, music producer, educator, philanthropist, orchestra conductor
Instrument(s)	Piano, keyboards, conducting
Years active	1980–present
Website	williamjoseph.org

Ashley William Joseph (born 3 October 1965) is an Indian composer. Joseph serves as the chairman of the William Joseph Music Foundation, and the director and conductor of the Bangalore Musical Association.

Early life

Ashley William Joseph was born on 3 October 1965 in Bangalore, Karnataka, to Joseph Thomas Williams and Sarah William Joseph. His father was the chief pipe organist at St. Andrew's Church in Bangalore and head of the music department at Baldwin Boys High School, Bangalore; he died of a heart attack while playing the pipe organ at St. Andrew's Church during a service. ^[1]

Joseph attended Baldwin Boys High School in Bangalore. ^[2]

Education and training

Joseph received a scholarship in 1985 to study music in Manila, Philippines, where he specialized in conducting, voice, piano, guitar, organ, and ethnomusicology. He researched the history, origin, and performance of the sitar.^{[ citation needed ]}

He has performed with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, and the Asian Chorale and was honored with a Doctorate in Music by Trinity Open University.^{[ citation needed ]} Joseph founded the William Joseph Music Foundation for Performing Arts, which is a registered non-profit organization, that caters to the education, performance, and promotion of dance, music, and drama to underprivileged children and adolescents from India. ^{[3] [4]}

Awards

In 2008, he was honored by the Chief Minister of Karnataka, B. S. Yeddyurappa for his contributions to the field of music and music education.^{[ citation needed ]} His composition won the first prize on All India Radio.^{[ citation needed ]}

The YMCA of Singapore and the International Y's Men's Club of Singapore, in a joint project in aid of Thailand flood victims, honored Dr. Ashley Williams for his performance as guest conductor with the Thailand Sanctuary Symphony Orchestra.^{[ citation needed ]}

He received the Messenger of Peace Award from the International Cultural Development and Exchange group and the ICYE Germany.^{[ citation needed ]} The decision to confer this award was taken at a conference in Geneva to honor the Global Peace and Harmony Concerts. He received an honorable citation for his contribution and performance in Singapore with the Thailand Sanctuary Symphony Orchestra to raise funds for Thai flood victims. He was also honored for his performance in Ipoh, Malaysia, at a charity concert to raise funds for street children.

Notable students

Actress Deepika Padukone was trained by Joseph. ^[5] He told Deepika Padukone's father, Prakash Padukone, that "all she wants to do is sing, act and dance." Miss Earth 2010 Nicole Faria was also a student of Dr. Williams.

References

1. "William Joseph International Academy for Performing Arts Bangalore Karnataka Phone Number, Address and Details". IndiaStudyChannel.com. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
2. "International Inner Wheel – Where members volunteer in friendship to serve the community" . Retrieved 23 August 2023.
3. "The sound of music". The New India Express. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
4. "William Joseph Music Foundation for Performing Arts". idealist. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
5. "Teachers' Day: Deepika Padukone's teacher shares fond memories in heartfelt note. Read full letter". India Today. 5 September 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2024.