Ascher Taylor-Schroeder

Ascher Taylor-Schroeder is a passionate performer and educator with a background in rock & jazz guitar and classical trumpet, in addition to his classical guitar training. In 2020 Ascher graduated Magna Cum Laude from Murray State University with his Bachelors of Music Education where he studied with professor Brent Webster. Upon graduation he also received the Outstanding Senior award from the Department of Music. Ascher also earned a Masters of Music degree with an emphasis in string pedagogy from the University of Louisville in 2022. Here, he was a teaching assistant for Dr. Stephen Mattingly and Xavier Jara. Ascher will begin his DMA with Dr. Dieter Hennings in 2026.

Ascher has a particular passion for the commission of new music for the guitar and chamber music. This has led to collaborations to premiering Go! for guitar quartet by Matthew Cochran in 2026, System Break for guitar duo in 2021 and Same or Different for guitar quartet in 2023, by Isaac R. Smith, 3 am on Bardstown Rd., by Jakob Giles in 2021, and derealization for electric guitar duo and percussion, by Tanner Jones in 2022, as well as performances with guitar quartet, trio, duo, violin duo, voice, percussion and string quartet.

In addition to being Guitar Department Director at the Youth Performing Arts School, Ascher has also been conductor and music director of the Louisville Mandolin Orchestra since 2021, joined the Louisville Guitar Society Board of Directors in 2022, the Peterson-Dumesnil House Foundation in 2025, the KMEA Kentucky Guitar Council in 2025, and is a founding member of Chimera Quartet.

Ascher lives with his wife, Shelby and their two dogs Ella and Dahlia in Louisville, KY. In his free time he enjoys reading, making/eating food & beverages, and being in nature.