Our story, mission, and the people who make it happen
The Northwest Arkansas Community Orchestra is committed to making music accessible to all, creating a welcoming space for people of every age and background to grow, share, and enjoy music. Our mission is to inspire a lifelong love of music through engaging performances, collaboration, and community connection.
We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to experience and create music, regardless of age, background, or skill level.
Music brings people together. We foster connections between musicians and audiences throughout Northwest Arkansas.
We encourage continuous learning and improvement, supporting musicians at every stage of their musical journey.
Lisa Fried
Lisa Fried is a violinist and music educator originally from Des Moines, Iowa. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Drake University, where she studied violin with Dr. Wilfred Biel, a student of the renowned pedagogue Ivan Galamian. She spent 30 years as an orchestra director in an urban school district in central Iowa. Throughout her career, Lisa has been actively engaged in community music-making. In Iowa, she founded and directed the Christian Youth Orchestra, which expanded to serve both student and adult musicians. She later became a founding member of the Northwest Arkansas Community Orchestra (NWACO). In addition to her community involvement, she maintains a large private string studio, teaching individual students and ensembles. In 2021, Lisa was named the Des Moines Rotary Foundation Educator of the Year in recognition of her strong orchestra programs and the impact her students made through community performances. Lisa and her husband now live in Northwest Arkansas near their grandchildren. Music and family remain central to her life, and she is grateful for a career that allows her to share both with others.
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Lisa Fried is a violinist and music educator originally from Des Moines, Iowa. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Drake University, where she studied violin with Dr. Wil>
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Lisa Fried is a violinist and music educator originally from Des Moines, Iowa. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Drake University, where she studied violin with Dr. Wil>
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