The National Repertory Orchestra (NRO) is pleased to announce that Shawnna Gauss has joined the organization as Director of Development. Gauss brings more than 25 years of nonprofit experience and a deep connection to Summit County’s cultural community.
In her new role, Gauss will lead the NRO’s fundraising and donor engagement efforts, building relationships that help sustain the organization’s mission of Changing Lives Through Music and its work preparing the next generation of professional orchestral musicians.
“I am so pleased to welcome Shawnna to the NRO team,” said NRO CEO Dave DePeters. “She brings a wealth of philanthropic knowledge along with a deep understanding of Summit County, its residents and its cultural community. I look forward to working with her as we build on the momentum of our fundraising initiatives and expand support for the musicians and mission of the NRO.”
Gauss brings extensive experience in philanthropy, nonprofit leadership and community engagement. Gauss previously served as Director of Philanthropy at Theatre SilCo and spent seven years with the Denver Film Society. Early in her career, she worked with Breck Film at the Riverwalk Center, making her new role a return to a familiar place.
“When I was young, creative arts were a lifeline for me,” Gauss said. “While I hoped, I never truly expected that I would end up having a career in the arts. I am excited to put my skills in service of providing the same opportunity to the young people who thrive at the NRO.”
For more than six decades, the NRO has provided young professional musicians with an intensive orchestral experience designed to prepare them for meaningful careers in music, while bringing exceptional live classical music to audiences in Summit County and beyond. Philanthropic support is central to making that work possible, from the musicians who spend their summers performing and learning in Breckenridge to the concerts, education programs and community experiences the NRO provides.
Gauss will focus on strengthening those connections between the NRO’s musicians, audiences and supporters. She is especially eager to reconnect with people she met during her decade at Theatre SilCo while getting to know the patrons and donors who have helped sustain the NRO.
“I’m looking forward to bonding with supporters of the arts, having meaningful and authentic conversations, and understanding how their life and philanthropic goals could further the mission of the NRO,” Gauss said.
Gauss joins the NRO as current Director of Development Åsa Armstrong prepares to retire at the conclusion of the organization’s fiscal year on October 31, 2026. The NRO is grateful for Armstrong’s years of leadership and dedication and looks forward to building on the foundation she has helped create. For Gauss, the appointment marks a return to where her career in Summit County arts began. She described joining the NRO as “a full circle moment.”