Homeschool Graduate Lands Career with Disney World and Cruise Line

“No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true.” – A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes, Cinderella

For homeschool graduate Ashley McKay, working as a performer at Disney World is a dream come true.

“I was always a ‘Disney kid,’” Ashley said. “I was in love with the princesses and many other classic characters and always dreamed of one day visiting Disney World to meet all of them. Little did I know that my second job out of college would be for Disney, getting the chance to be up close and personal with all of those beloved Disney characters!”

Ashley’s fairytale began at the age of nine when the American Girl book Changes for Molly inspired her to enroll in a tap dance class.

Her dance instructor was married to the artistic director of a local professional theatre, where Ashley performed in several musical productions as a child.

“My involvement in theatre, dance, and music was purely recreational until I realized that it was time to pick a college major, and my fate was sealed, I suppose,” Ashley said. “For years prior to that, professional actors and actresses had surrounded me as I performed alongside them, but somehow I never put two and two together that I could legitimately perform for a living.”

Ashley attributes much of her theatrical success during those pre-professional years to her homeschool lifestyle, which began in 3rd grade.

“My homeschool schedule wrapped itself around my theatre, dance, and music activities before I realized I would pursue it as a professional. However, once I began college and had to balance all of my general education classes around my theatre, music, and dance classes, I found it to be a smoother transition because I was already used to doing that during my homeschool years,” she said.

Though Ashley blossomed academically once she found the right homeschool curriculum, her mother Shirley recalls spending much time and thousands of dollars trying to find a program that would challenge Ashley and cater to her busy schedule. Eventually they discovered Alpha Omega Publications’ Switched-On Schoolhouse program.

“When I discovered SOS, I ordered it, and our lives changed tremendously,” Shirley said. “Ashley was a very self-directed student anyway, but being a very active girl, she relished the thought of buzzing through her homework so she could go dance and sing – something she’s made a living at ever since.”

With the right curriculum and support from her family, Ashley was able to finish high school at the age of 16.

“My mom was there to help if needed and to keep me on track if I began to daydream, but it didn’t take me long to realize that I was the true captain of my ship. If I put my mind to it, I could complete all of my daily assignments in two or three hours instead of the typical seven or eight,” Ashley said. “I want to give thanks to AOP for creating a curriculum and study style that allowed me to blossom, to take better control of my academic career, and that allowed me the freedom of schedule to pursue my other skills and dreams.”

After high school, Ashley went to Missouri Valley College to pursue her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in musical theater and a minor in dance. In just three and a half years, she graduated first in her class with a 4.0 GPA.

Since the age of 19, Ashley has traveled the world while performing with Disney Cruise Line. The French Riviera and Japan top her lists of favorite places to visit and perform, while The Wedding Singer and The Golden Mickeys have been two of her favorite shows.

Though she’s had the privilege of portraying many characters on stage over the years, Ashley’s favorite role will forever be Cinderella.

“Not only was she the reason I began my career with Disney, but she embodies the humble, loving, and inspiring spirit for which I strive,” Ashley said.

Currently, Ashley is a full-time contracted performer with Hoop Dee Doo Revue at the Pioneer Hall on Disney’s Fort Wilderness Lodge property. She’s also a part-time performer in Finding Nemo: The Musical.

When her contract with Hoop Dee Doo Revue ends in May 2017, Ashley hopes to renew her contract with Disney and perform wherever the company needs her talents.

“I pride myself on being part of the Disney legacy, carrying that magic forward into generations to come,” Ashley said. “It brings me so much joy to see the happiness beaming from the faces of the guests we get to perform for, both young and old alike. Being part of something positive that allows people to leave their worries behind, even if just for a few fleeting moments, is my passion.”