Symphony of Northwest Arkansas

Call Us: 501-324-9150
Visit Us: 1100 North Street, Little Rock, AR 72201

Arts In Education

The Arts in Education Artist Roster is an online listing of professional performers and visual or literary artists who are available to participate in a variety of Arts in Education programs. The Arts in Education (AIE) program is designed to strengthen the role of the arts in preK-12 educational settings by fostering participation in the arts as an integral part of life and the basic education process. Local schools and community nonprofit organizations may sponsor individual teaching artists or teaching artists associated with a larger arts organization in preK-12 residencies at specific sites to demonstrate their art discipline and link their art form to other curriculum areas. During a residency, artists are based in a school or a community organization where they work with a site coordinator and key staff members to develop programs and activities based on the site’s needs and facilities. Inclusion in the AIE Artist Roster is determined by an independent panel review process.

Applications open April 30, 2025, and close June 17, 2025.

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Symphony of Northwest Arkansas

D. Riley Nicholson, Executive Director

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The Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA), previously named the North Arkansas Symphony (NASO), was founded in 1954 and has provided over 60 years of musical performances and educational opportunities. SoNA is a resident company of Walton Arts Center, and presents classical and pops performances across Northwest Arkansas, with an annual combined audience of 25,000.

Since its inception, SoNA has brought live music and arts integrated education programs to countless students throughout Northwest Arkansas. In hopes of fostering the next generation of musicians and audience, we continue to focus on increased access to live music through open rehearsals, discounted and free tickets to concerts, our in-school SoNA Mentors program, and family and youth-focused concerts and events.

SoNA supports local students and music teachers through SoNA Mentors, a program serving wind band and orchestra programs across Northwest Arkansas, including Bentonville, Springdale, Fayetteville, and Rogers. Through SoNA Mentors, orchestra musicians provide performances, sectionals, masterclasses, pre-college career guidance, and more for emerging musicians. Rather than approaching schools with a pre-existing curriculum, SoNA Mentors collaborate with local music teachers and directors and support educators in whatever capacity is needed to help music students achieve their fullest potential.

Through outreach concerts, SoNA gives students in NWA the chance to see a live performance of a professional symphony orchestra for free, during the school day, among an audience made up of their peers. These performances have a specific theme and repertoire that is separate from the regular mainstage concert series of the orchestra.

Students and accompanying parents and teachers are invited to look “Behind the Scenes” at a SoNA dress rehearsal! Hear Maestro Paul Haas rehearse with the musicians and get exclusive insights on what it takes to bring great music to life. Paul Haas will lead a post-rehearsal Q&A discussion to further allow students to learn more about the music and SoNA’s artistic process.