Ashley Michelle Crawford was born in Memphis, TN, into a life of music. Surrounded by the musical influences of her father, Hubert "H-Bomb" Crawford, her late grandfather, Hubert Crawford, Sr. of "Hubert Crawford and The King Riders Band," her older brother and accomplished producer and bassist, Anthony Crawford, and her late cousin, legendary saxophonist Hank Crawford, she was destined to pave her own path in the field of music. She began playing the flute at age 11 and has since used her gift as a gateway to musical performance, education, and professional opportunities.

Ashley received her Bachelor's degree from Tennessee State University, where she studied under retired professor Belinda Laupp. She was a member of the world-renowned "Aristocrat of Bands" and served as piccolo section leader in 2010. During her studies at TSU, she was awarded a full music scholarship, the "Director’s Choice Award," and "Best Section." She also studied the origins of instrumental music abroad in Vienna, Austria, and Florence, Italy. She went on to complete her Master’s in Instrumental Pedagogy and Classical Flute Performance at Belmont University in 2014. While at BU, she studied under Dr. Carolyn Totaro, became a two-time concerto competition winner, received a music scholarship, won the "Friends of the Arts President’s Choice Award," and published two theses: "An Investigation of Four Works for Flute" and "The Causes, Prevention, and Treatment of Flute-Playing Related Injury and Pain." Her classical training also includes masterclass studies with renowned flutists Dr. Yvonne Chavez Hansbrough, Mark Vinci, Rhonda Larson, and Dr. Nicole Riner at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Ashley has expanded her reach in music education by serving as a visiting music tutor in the Metro Nashville Public School and Shelby County School districts. She has coached and privately taught at multiple schools, including Hunter’s Lane High School, Whitehaven High School, East Nashville Magnet Middle/High School, H.G. Hill Middle School, Jere Baxter Middle School, Cane Ridge High School, Rose Parks Math/Science Magnet School, and Thurgood Marshall Middle School. Additionally, she has served as the flute instructor for the Nashville Fine Arts Academy and the Edward L. Graves Summer Band Camp. Her career in pedagogy came full circle when she became the Flute Professor at Tennessee State University, where she currently teaches applied flute, flute choir, and leads the woodwind area of the music department. She also conducted the "Nashville Philharmonic Flute Ensemble" from 2016-2024 and co-founded and served as President of the Nashville African American Wind Symphony, Inc. from 2020-2024. Due to her work in community engagement, she was recognized in Belmont University’s 2022 Top 100 Entrepreneur Awards. Ashley has also appeared as a guest conductor for the Mid-South Flute Society’s Collegiate Flute Choir and as an adjudicator for the Music Teacher National Association’s Young Artist Competition. She has presented and performed as a guest clinician for the National Flute Association, Umoja Flute Institute, and Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference.

Ashley has dedicated her life to sharing her gift and knowledge of the flute with people of all ages. Her trademarked brand, "FluteBae," was born after her 2017 viral sensation video of the #MaskOffChallenge. Since then, she has fused classical flute with contemporary Hip-Hop, Pop, and R&B music, helping propel the flute into mainstream music and media. Under her "FluteBae" entity, she has performed at the Staples Center, delivering a rendition of the National Anthem for the NBA’s LA Lakers and the WNBA’s LA Sparks. She has collaborated with prominent artists and producers such as Chris Hines, David "SkiBeatz" Willis, Gaither Vocal Band, Soul Sessions, Sir The Baptist, Dubba-AA, Kenny Lattimore, StarLito, 2LiveBre, Derrick Hodges, Louis York, The Shindellas, and Brassville. She curated the virtual performance "We. Will. Breathe." to raise awareness for Black Lives Matter, which earned her recognition in "The Flute View." Ashley has also been featured in "The Flute Examiner," the 2023 "People Issue" of the Nashville Scene, "Urbannite," NPR, and WPLN. Additionally, she was a featured artist on the Grammy Award-winning "Best Roots Gospel" album, "The Urban Hymnal," by the Aristocrat of Bands.

In addition to her extensive performance and teaching career, Ashley has co-produced and performed on the World Entertainment Awards-nominated New Age album, "Kampan." She made her debut alongside "Old Crow Medicine Show" at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN, and returned to perform with them once again in 2024 at their annual New Year's Eve show. Her flute choir, "Ambiance" of Tennessee State University, has been invited to perform at the 2025 National Flute Association Convention, marking the first appearance of the HBCU at the conference. Ashley is a contributor to "From Our Eyes and Ears" by Dr. Lorin Green in 2024 and will also be featured as a contributor in "Teaching Music through Performance in Jazz, Vol. 3," by Richard B. Mills and the late Ronald Carter, set for release in Spring 2025. Her debut album, "Black Prelude," is scheduled for release in Summer 2025.

Ashley "FluteBae" Crawford prides herself on being a teaching artist who uses education and creativity to reach the masses and encourage people to embrace learning and performing music. She embodies the essence of the flute through her sultry and robust playing, bridging the gap between pop culture and classical music. Her melodious tone sings effortlessly and resonates deeply with her audience. There are no limits to her style, and her playing transcends all genres.