ABOUT ME

If I can bring joy to others through the music that I create then I have achieved my greatest goal.
DANI MAREE ASHMORE
COMPOSER | ARRANGER | MUSICIAN

BIO SUMMARY

Dani Maree Ashmore is a Melbourne-based composer and musician. Her love for music was nurtured during her school years, where she formally learned violin and cello. However, over the years she self-taught and performed with many different instruments including piano, guitar, electric bass, and percussion. Currently she enjoys both writing for and being actively involved as a percussionist with local orchestras and concert bands.

Her composition journey began as a singer-songwriter, performing her own music and writing songs for local musical theatre. After completing a Bachelor of Applied Music (Composition) at Box Hill Institute in 2014, she began focusing on writing orchestral music and film scores. Throughout her career, Dani has composed both original works and arrangements for various ensembles including wind bands and orchestras. Additionally, her music has been featured in short films, advertisements and music videos; many of which were competition finalists. Ultimately, Dani aims to write music that is both fun to play and enjoyable to listen to.

FEATURED COMPOSITION

COMING SOON

Tripped Up Tango

Inspired by the popular dance style, Tripped Up Tango offers a fresh and lively take on the classic tango, blending traditional rhythms with a playful, modern flair. Whilst maintaining the dance’s passion, spontaneity, and characteristic pulse, the piece incorporates syncopated rhythms and regularly omits beats, cleverly ‘tripping up’ its usual flow. The result is an energetic and vibrant composition that will keep both listeners and performers on their toes from beginning to end.

Tripped Up Tango will be available for purchase after a featured performance by The Grainger Wind Symphony in May 2025.

VIEW FULL DETAILS
VIEW Featured pieces

GALLERY

2025 - GWS Made In Australia Concert
2024 - CLCB Bunnings Performance
2023 - FSO Percussion
2022 - FSO cello
2010 - Singer-songwriter
2024 - FSO Myths and Legends Concert
2023 - CLCB Max Hunter Award
2025 - GWS Made In Australia Concert
2025 - FSO Concert Symphonic Sportacular
2024 - CLCB Bands Festival

BACKGROUND DETAILS

2020 - PRESENT
COMPOSER | MUSICIAN | TUTOR
Recipient of 'Most Valuable Person Award' - Cranbourne Lions Concert Band - 2024
Recipient of 'The Max Hunter Award' - Cranbourne Lions Concert Band - 2023
'Tripped Up Tango' selected for performance at Grainger Wind Symphony's Made In Australia concert May 2025.

Composed original works for symphony orchestra, string orchestra and wind band. 'Seize The Sunlight' premiered by Latrobe Orchestra. 'Seize The Sunlight' read at NSW New Band Repertoire Reading Day 2025 - Concert Band Sessions. 'Alive and Swingin' performed by Casey Concert Band and Cranbourne Lions Concert Band. Percussionist/cellist for Frankston Symphony Orchestra and percussionist for Cranbourne Lions Concert Band. 'Seize The Sunlight' premiered by Cranbourne Lions Concert Band. Assisted other bands and orchestras as percussionist for performances. 'A Child Imagined' workshopped by Cameron Symphonic Band at Melbourne Youth Orchestra Summer school 2024. Private music theory tutor. 'Beat That Bass' performed by Frankston Symphony Orchestra. Self-taught percussion and drum kit. 'Remember The Night' and 'A Child Imagined' premiered by Latrobe Orchestra.

2015 - 2019
FILM COMPOSER | TEACHER
'Pitch to Quit' competition finalist (Best Ad) - 2018

Composed soundtracks for short films. Composed music for 'Pitch to Quit' best ad competition, achieving finalist status. Taught individual and group violin, cello, acoustic guitar, keyboard and voice lessons for primary school students.

2009 - 2014
UNIVERSITY STUDENT | MUSICIAN
Academic Excellence Award - Box Hill Institute - 2014
Musical Director of 'Closer Than Ever' - Monash University - 2011

Completed Bachelor of Applied Music (Composition) at Box Hill Institute with high distinction average. Composed pieces for orchestras, big bands and small ensembles. Composed soundtrack for 'Stray' which won best short film 2014 - Deakin University. Song 'Don't Worry Girl' achieved finalist position at Martini Awards (Best Music Video) 2012 - JMC Academy. Completed Bachelor of Performing Arts at Monash University (Music Minor). Undertook piano lessons. Self-taught clarinet, electric bass and cajon. Musical theatre pit musician as cellist. Wrote arrangements for orchestras and instrumental groups.

2006 - 2008
SONGWRITER | MUSICIAN

Performed with Latrobe Orchestra as cellist. Wrote songs for local musical theatre 'Strzelecki Showtime'. Performed in musical theatre productions. Performed as singer-songwriter. Musical theatre pit musician.

2000 - 2005
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT

Undertook violin, viola, cello, guitar and voice lessons. Performed with school orchestra and choir at Eisteddfods and concerts. Performed as solo cellist and singer. Began composing, singing and performing original songs.

TESTIMONIALS

“It's wonderful having Dani perform as part of the Cranbourne Lions Concert Band, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to play her original compositions. The scores and parts are beautifully presented, easy to read and fun to play. The band members often comment that their favourite pieces are Dani’s. She is a thoughtful composer and is flexible in adjusting parts or orchestration to suit the ensemble. The band and I are looking forward to playing many more of Dani’s compositions in the future."
Russell Oxley
Musical Director, Cranbourne Lions Concert Band
"The Latrobe Orchestra has been delighted to premiere three of Dani’s works for orchestra, all of which have been thoroughly enjoyed by orchestra members and audience alike. Her writing has lots of melodic and rhythmic interest and is well orchestrated and presented on the page, along with rewarding individual parts and a great sense of musical direction. Dani is an extremely helpful and flexible composer, and has been very happy to add or adjust parts to suit specific situations. Dani’s music is most definitely worth exploring and deserves many performances."
Colin Iversen
Musical Director, Latrobe Orchestra
"The members of Casey Concert Band have really enjoyed rehearsing and performing "Alive and Swingin' ", one of Dani Maree's compositions for concert band. It truly evokes the melodies and rhythms of the swing era from the very first bar, and has been written so that it brings out the best ensemble sound of the concert band/wind ensemble format. As one of the first bands to trial this piece, Dani was eager to work with us and provide a small number of changes in a slightly modified version for performance, and recording later in 2025. Dani Maree is a young composer with a real feel for vibrant wind band music."
Greg Marks
Musical Director, Casey Concert Band

Let's Get In Touch!

Are you looking to commission a new work or arrangement? Are you performing any of my pieces? I would love to hear from you.

Let's Talk Now
Shopping Cart