Treemonisha

Ashley appears as Remus in Volcano’s acclaimed reimagining of Scott Joplin’s Treemonisha, an ambitious new vision of the composer’s landmark opera that brings its Black cultural and historical foundations into sharper focus. Created through a major international collaboration, the production retains Joplin’s original characters and 1880s Texarkana setting while reimagining the story to give greater voice and complexity to its Black characters—particularly the women at its center.

A defining feature of Volcano’s production is its integration of West African instruments, including the kora, balafon, and ngoni, into Joplin’s musical world. These instruments create a direct conversation between African musical traditions, the African American experience, and the roots of ragtime, offering a sound and theatrical perspective rarely heard on the opera stage. The production’s 2023 Toronto world premiere also made history with the first all-Black orchestra in Canadian opera history.

Ashley originated the role of Remus in the Toronto premiere, which was subsequently recognized by The New York Times as one of the best classical performances of 2023. Following its acclaimed Toronto debut, Treemonisha made its U.S. premiere in Chicago in 2025 and continues its journey with a Western Canada premiere at Manitoba Opera in Winnipeg in November 2026.

The production also reached a national audience through PBS’s Great Performances: Now Hear This — “Everyone Loves Joplin,” hosted by Scott Yoo. The episode devoted significant attention to Volcano’s Treemonisha, including its innovative use of West African instrumentation and its reimagining of Joplin’s work for the 21st century.

For Ashley, Treemonisha represents an ongoing artistic collaboration at the intersection of opera, Black cultural history, and contemporary performance—a project that continues to evolve as it brings this remarkable reimagining to new audiences.