Hey Y’all! Welcome to my site! My name is Ashley Wonder and I'm a multi-faceted Artist of Spoken Word and saxophonist, born and raised in Worcester, MA.
I write and perform from experiences ranging from depression, surviving suicide, grief, faith, and biracial identity.
I'm a firm believer in speaking your testimony to find healing. When I can't find the words to articulate in a poem, playing my alto sax brings its own deliverance.
I believe writing down your pain, love, and joys are liberating!
Finding the courage to speak those feelings on a mic brings its own freedom and let’s others know that they aren't alone!
Poetry Testimonials:
“Thank you for creating art that is timeless, that isn't trying to chase a trend. It's a beautiful thing!”. - Dee-1. Christian hip hop artist
‘Your poetry is so lovely. You reference so many relatable emotions effortlessly with so much flavor in your tone that made me smile. Yours words stick with me”. - Amy Smith
“It was so cool when I found a few of your tracks on spotify. You’re an unstoppable creative force! It’s an honor to know you”. -Michael Morlock
“I only recently became aware of this amazing artist/poet. In person she’s a little thing but from the stage her words resonate strength and an honest elegance that you can’t help but to fall in love with” -Danielle Arakelian Telegram and Gazette
“Yooo...I freakin’ LOVE it!!! You’re brilliant!!! You’re such a great writer! Your words grip hearts with comfort and biblical perspective! God has truly showered you with many gifts! You have faithfully served the Lord and others with rich and insightful spoken word pieces. How honored am I to find what so many have already discovered from you. What a blessing you are to all those who cross your path! Thank you a million times over! - FLAME, Christian hip hop artist
“You and your work are important now and for always. I’m thankful to know you in this lifetime and to be able to hear and read your work” - Nark Lizard
“ Poetically captivating!” - FiFi Taylor
“Amazing in every way!!!!!!”- Joshua Whitfield
“I went and saw her in action in Lynn, MA she was amazing, made me cry, laugh. She made me think and feel understood” - Jennifer Savio
” What I remember about you most is the power and passion behind your voice. One can almost feel your strength when you speak. It’s very moving! Anita Dias
“Majestic, brilliant,nailed it superbly! We need your poetry to keep us human! - Jeff Canon
“Put together well. Great imagery. Powerful poetry that at times is deeply rooted in pain. But at the same time a willingness to serve knowing that others have experienced similar things. - Damon Wescott
Awards:
NOMINATED FOR BEST SPOKEN WORD ARTIST 2023. BOSTON MUSIC AWARDS
International Global Wedding Awards for Best Spoken Word Artist
And Saxophonist 2023. LUXLife Magazine England/Wales.
Featured Track:
Flame “God With Us”
http://smarturl.it/FlameGodWithUs
Articles and Video Interviews
October 2022. Telegram and Gazette article. Poem performed at Women's Rally in Worcester, MA.
Article: https://www.telegram.com/story/news/2022/10/09/women-rally-support-reproductive-rights-worcester-common/8225911001/
Video here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjjaymWg3Wj/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Summer 2022. Rain Poet. Contestant Winner. “Walk In The Woo”
June 2022. Published Poem “Healed Flames” available digitally Ebook Magazine. Silent Spark Press.
Available:
https://silentsparkpress.com/products/weekly-digital-art-subscription-series
January 2024. MLK Event. Open Mic. Virtual Ohio. Mo Poetry Phillips.
May 2022. Podcast Interview WWIM with Dave McGrath https://youtu.be/QOnSjKgDBzA
StoryTelling Event for Telegram And Gazette March 2022: https://youtu.be/hdsRS9aGBEg
July 2021. Published poem Soup Can Magazine. New Jersey.
Link for purchase $15 https://checkout.square.site/buy/5XUB4EWB5RFXVBX27EPJSBRX
July 2020 Virtual Feature https://iamchosen.co/
Video Interview | Life Of A Poet
Spoken Word Videos:
https://youtu.be/eO64tzWX_nY
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10102597791242815&id=49408557
https://youtu.be/IbDTpzZnaYo
https://youtu.be/0W0ACJ3O4mo
Ashley Wonder has been writing poetry for over fifteen years. She found her voice in surrounding black churches in Worcester her hometown in 2014.
She has had the pleasure of being on Worcester's Slam Team, Seven Hills representing her City Worcester in Oakland, CA in 2015 and in Decatur, GA, in 2016.
She has been featured in Worcester, Boston, Troy. NY Poetic Vibe, and Rhode Island among other MA cities.
She has been published International with Silent Spark Press, based out of Puerto Rico in their book “Beautiful Poetry” in December 2022.
Ashley Wonder has had the honor and privilege to participate in the Toni Morrison tribute Festival “Still I Rise”, The annual Langston Hughes Reading in Providence RI and participated in the discussion of “Wheatley 250” Poetry Event honoring Philis Wheatley.
She participated in The Black Women Poets Respond to Brown Family Archive performance and panel discussion. November 2023.
She has performed at Worcester's Summer Annual Youth Event multiple times “Violence Isn't Normal” to bring awareness to the devastation of violence to young teens.
She had the pleasure of performing in Worcester's Storytelling Event at Polar Park to expand her creativity as apart of Telegram and Gazette as well as USA Today feature that has reached various states all over.
She has had the opportunity to perform at the National Education Support Professional Conference (apart of the Massachusetts Teacher Association) in 2021 that had an audience of 2,000 people!
She has participated in the discussion Black Creative Voices in Worcester 2021
She has performed in 2019 Women Of Consequence City Hall in Worcester.
She facilitates poetry workshops around Massachusetts.
She has been featured at multiple Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts including Holy Cross, Assumption College, Clark University, and Wheelock College .
Ashley Wonder is known to perform with dynamic passion in hopes of impacting her audiences.