The Åsa Armstrong Education Initiative
The Åsa Armstrong Education Initiative
Honoring Åsa’s legacy
As the National Repertory Orchestra (NRO) marks Åsa Armstrong’s retirement at the end of October, we are honored to recognize her extraordinary legacy by establishing the Åsa Armstrong Education Initiative. Throughout her career, Åsa has been a tireless champion for education, youth opportunity, and community engagement. From her early work at the Breckenridge Recreation Center, to her years with The Summit Foundation, her development leadership at Keystone Science School, and finally her impactful tenure at the National Repertory Orchestra, Åsa has inspired local, regional, and national philanthropists to invest in organizations that empower young people through education and the arts.
The Åsa Armstrong Education Initiative will ensure that her passion for educational outreach continues to shape the future of the NRO by supporting innovative education programs, community engagement, and artistic initiatives.
Alumni brass quintet
The initiative’s first priority is the creation of the Alumni Brass Quintet, which will build upon the success of the NRO’s highly acclaimed Alumni String Quartet and expand one of the orchestra’s most impactful community engagement programs. Featuring world-class musicians, the quintet will bring live music to schools, libraries, day camps, senior centers, donor events, and other venues throughout Summit County and beyond. By extending the NRO’s educational outreach into these spaces, the program will inspire young musicians, foster meaningful connections across generations, enrich lives through transformative musical experiences, and strengthen the NRO’s relationships with the communities it serves.
Join the Momentum!
The Challenge Begins
A challenge began with the generosity of Trustees Julia Metzger and Samuel L. Bufford, who committed $50,000 to inspire others to invest in music education.
Doubling the Impact
The NRO Board of Trustees and Staff answered that call, contributing an additional $50,000 and completing the first phase of the challenge.
Now the opportunity extends to you
Thanks to the generosity of our Board of Trustees and early supporters, every $1 you contribute is matched by $2 in already committed support, creating a $3 impact for every dollar you give. With the first $100,000 already committed, we invite you to help us meet—and exceed—this challenge by helping us raise $50,000 to reach our final goal of $150,000.
Your gift will honor Åsa’s remarkable legacy while providing the resources needed to expand the NRO’s educational outreach, strengthen our connections throughout the community, and inspire future generations through the power of live music.
To qualify for the match, gifts must be received by October 31, 2026, and represent either new support or an increase over your previous annual giving level. Only the portion of your gift that exceeds your giving from last year will be eligible for the matching opportunity.