Hometown:
Sudbury, Massachusetts
Education:
Cleveland Institute of Music, Bachelor of Music (2026)
Bio:
Halden Aistrup is a fourth-year undergraduate at the Cleveland Institute of Music. In 2023, he spent his summer at the National Orchestral Institute under Marin Alsop, and in 2025, he spent his summer with the National Repertory Orchestra. Halden also frequently performs with the Canton Symphony Orchestra in Canton, Ohio.
What inspired you to become a musician?
If I had to pick a specific memory, it would be performing Rachmaninoff Symphony no. 2 with my youth orchestra. That experience made me fall in love with performing.
Name your favorite composers and/or pieces:
My all-time favorite piece has to be Also sprach Zarathustra by Strauss.
What is an interesting fact about you and/or your instrument?
That I’m a triplet! Both of my brothers are also in the orchestra.
When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
Spending time with friends, or watching NBA games.
Why did you choose the NRO?
I chose the NRO because of how much I loved my time here last year. I also chose to come back because I think there is much more I can learn about being a musician, and another year with the NRO will help me become the musician I aspire to be.