Music as a point of community and connection
The Women’s Orchestra of Arizona (WOA) was founded in 2016 to provide musical opportunities that empower women musicians and benefit the greater community. As the second all-women’s orchestra to be established in the United States (after the Cleveland Women’s Orchestra), we are growing a community of connection for aspiring and virtuoso female musicians in the Phoenix metro area.
The orchestra honors the classical traditions and champions the contemporary, with a deep commitment to performing works by female composers. We rehearse and perform in the beautiful Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Ascension Lutheran Church and are honored to be an anchor in the Arts at Ascension initiative.
The orchestra welcomes auditions from teen and adult women from all walks of life who are looking to play in a musically stimulating yet supportive environment.
Guest artists and soloists who perform during our concert series also represent a similarly wide demographic range and experience level. Any given WOA performance might include works that feature a particular soloist from within the orchestra, or guest performances from talented teens who have mastered challenging pieces, or visiting guest artists from around the country and abroad, to showcase the talents of female musicians and often composers as well.
Come as you are. No admission fee.
Music is priceless and for everyone. Therefore, we charge no admission fee for our concerts. Instead, we operate on a "pay what works for you" model. Concertgoers decide after the performance how much to pay for the experience and donate as they exit.
Whether you come in jeans or pearls, you're welcome at our concerts.