The program, announced in September by Los Angeles Opera general director Plšcido Domingo, will train talented artists at the beginning of their careers. Singers, coaches, conductors, and stage directors will be mentored by established artists and will receive musical coaching, voice lessons, language and acting instruction, and performance opportunities.

Preliminary auditions for the program will be held in Los Angeles on April 10, 11, and 12, 2006. Final auditions, which will be judged by Domingo and James Conlon, the company's incoming music director, will be held in Los Angeles on April 13, 2006.

Ashley's career as an artist manager includes 11 years as vice-president of Columbia Artists Management. She is a graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and has worked professionally as a dancer, singer, and actress.