Ashley Bouder was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and began her ballet training at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet with Marcia Dale Weary. After attending the 1999 Summer Program at the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet, she was invited by SAB to continue her training. As a student, Ms. Bouder performed featured roles in Balanchine's Dances Concertantes and Stars and Stripes for SAB's 2000 Annual Spring Workshop. Ms. Bouder joined the company at New York City Ballet in June 2000 as an apprentice, became a full company member just a few months later, was promoted to soloist in February 2004, and to principal in January 2005. Ms. Bouder has also founded the "Ashley Bouder Project" - an arts collaborative, focused on furthering women in leadership roles in the performing arts world.