Aleksandra (Sasha) Kudryashova was born in Sakhalin, Russia. She is the younger of one brother, Aramis. Sasha moved to the United States in 1993 where she later graduated from the University of Houston with a Music Education Degree. Alongside Joshua, she is also a band director in RISD. She has a passion for music and books.

Joshua Blankenship was born in Richardson, Texas, the youngest of four siblings. Joshua received his trombone music performance degree from Indiana University and his Masters in Education from Lamar University. He teaches band in the Richardson ISD and performs professionally as the Principal Trombone of the Allen Philharmonic Orchestra.

Sasha Kudryashova & Joshua Blankenship

Joshua proposed to Sasha while on a surprise trip to Cancun where we stayed at the Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Resort. It was in the middle of a romantic candlelight dinner on the pier that Josh asked for Sasha’s hand in marriage. How the trip was a “surprise” is Josh’s favorite story to share with people  - Sasha prefers to not mention this part. Now, they would like to reunite in the same beautiful, romantic resort to become man and wife. Their dream is to travel the world together to exotic places.