Asia holds a Bachelor of Science in Music from University of Colorado-Denver, where she studied saxophone with Mark Harris and jazz/composition with Ron Miles and Drew Morell. Asia also studied with the late Denver Jazz piano legend Ted Alexander. She holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Wyoming where she was the graduate teaching assistant for the saxophone studio. At the University of Wyoming Asia studied classical and jazz saxophone with Dr. Scott Turpen and composition with Dr. Anne Guzzo. During her graduate career, Asia also researched multi-cultural music education. She studied Native American jazz saxophonist Jim Pepper and created a composition project that endeavored to engage students in music utilizing their family heritage.
She composed and produced the avant-garde stage show Omecihaul Rising that debuted at the Aurora Fox Theater in 2010. Asia's composition “Moon Stars” is in the documentary Return of the Corn Mothers. She also co-wrote the song '”Near and Far”, which is on the sound track of Papers a documentary about undocumented youth in America and their struggle to survive. Asia has performed jazz and contemporary compositions at notable venues/events; such as the Ted Talk Hip-Hop Symposium, Lupe Fiasco in Laramie, Wy., Oriental Theater, Herman's Hideaway, Aurora Fox Theater, Dazzle, Botanical Gardens, Lakewood Cultural Center, KUVO jazz radio station, Wheat Ridge Cultural Festival and Five Points Jazz Festival. Her former music projects include Asia Jazz Project, Mono Verde, Pink Hawks and Molina Speaks.
Growing up in a strong community of world musicians and artists in Denver Asia was immersed in the global rhythms of West African drumming, East Indian music/dance, Taiko Drumming and Polynesian dance. As a traditional Aztec Dancer, her Aztec/Mexica heritage and multi-cultural childhood has been a powerful force in her life and art. Her involvement in tribal dances, music and ceremonies from a young age has allowed her to understand the therapeutic power of music and importance of music in forming a sense of community. Asia's Aztec/Mexica name is Xochiquetzal (beautiful flower). Influenced by the writings of Picuris Pueblo elder Joseph Rael, she adheres to the philosophy that everything in the universe has its own unique vibration. Music has the ability to heal, inspire and awaken the individual and society. Her greatest aspiration as a musician and composer is to create music that gives her listeners the energy to grow, heal and love. Asia's inspirations are Sonny Rollins, Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, Art Pepper, Bill Evans, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington and John Coltrane.