Alaska Youth Orchestras Receives Rasmuson Foundation Grant

A $24,905 grant from the Rasmuson Foundation lets Alaska Youth Orchestras (AYO) pay for new equipment, including percussion instruments and stands.

Fully Functional Ensemble

With this equipment, AYO fully settles in to its new rehearsal home at The Nave, a property of Cook Inlet Housing Authority. Being a fully functional performing ensemble in this space advances AYO’s vision of building a community where music education and performance are valued and shared.

“This is an exciting time for AYO,” says Music Director Bruce Wood. “Our musicians have great energy coming out of the pandemic, and this grant allows us to maximize on this momentum as we build the best possible music education and performance program.”

AYO Executive Director Denise Brown-Chythlook adds, “There’s no doubt that the past two years have been challenging, but AYO’s board, staff, and musicians have worked tirelessly to continue making music and positive change throughout the pandemic. We are better equipped now than ever before in our fifty-seven-year history to meet the needs of our community.”