Lifelong engagement starts here. Located in Academy Village, the non-profit ASA empowers residents to pursue their passions through learning, art, and service to the community.
Engage. Create. Serve. The non-profit Arizona Senior Academy (ASA) is the intellectual and cultural hub of the Academy Village community in eastern Tucson. Founded by a former University of Arizona president, the ASA leverages its unique UA affiliation to provide a premier weekly schedule of professional concerts, scholarly lectures, and creative activities. We offer adults in or near retirement a vibrant environment where curiosity and engagement never retire.
ASA live lectures and concerts are open to ASA members and the public. Arizona Senior Academy building and parking are wheelchair accessible. The Koffler Great Room is equipped with an audio loop for the hearing impaired.
TANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Weekly Highlights
LECTURES
Monday, March 16
Tracing the Agricultural and Cultural Roots of the Southwest
Sonya Norman, B.S., Geosciences: Public Programs Coordinator, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum; Taught rainwater harvesting workshops; Participant, invasive species control
Sonya Norman’s presentation explores how the Southwest’s agricultural and cultural roots were shaped by native plants, the influence of Imperial Spain as it developed through Colonial Mexico, Jesuit missionaries, global exchanges between the New and Old Worlds, and the Spanish language. Read More…
Wednesday, March 18
The Transforming Power of Travel: Learning, Respect, and Growth
Melody Loya, Ph.D: Professor of Social Work; Associate Dean of University College; Tareton State University, Texas
Dr. Melody Aye Loya examines how ethically designed study abroad programs can transform participants. Grounded in social work values, her immersive, non-colonial approach fostered mutual learning and produced lasting changes in attitudes and behaviors among students and professionals. Read More…
LIVE CONCERTS
Friday, March 20, 11:30am
ASA Concert – Liz & Pete’s “Sparrows & the Last Train” bring Peter Dalton Ronstadt’s originals plus more music “from the post-modern West” – with Liz Cerepanya (vocals), Petie Ronstadt (vocals, guitar), Don Armstrong (vocals, banjo), Ed Friedland (bass) and Tyrus Watson (drums).
Past lectures are available as Video Lectures: Click here.
Past concerts are available as Video Concerts. Click here
CREATIVE SHOWCASES
PLAY READINGS: The Saguaros are buzzing because Mary Mitchell and her band of merry ASA Play Readers have done it again. Grab your popcorn and prepare to laugh once more with the desert’s biggest hit, the live reading of When Harry Met Sally. Click here for video.
ART: The Arizona Senior Academy and the AV Home Owners Association held a one day event with art produced by Academy villagers. Click here for video.
POETRY: This Chapbook presents the poetry written during a class led by the well-known poet, Nancy Fitzgerald. The poems were were recently presented to an audience in the ASA Great Room. For view of the Chapbook, click photo or here.
PLAYS: This play-reading version of the delightful play, “Savannah Sipping Society” by Jones Hope Wooten involved a number of Academy Village residents, and was directed by resident Mary Mitchell. Photograph by Deon Holt. Click here for video.
About Us
Samples of past events: Classical cello and piano by Sanda Schuldmann and Harry Clark; concert from Vail Chorale led by Academy member, Fritz Reinagel; lectures on topics in science and art; ASA concert by steel drum band from Empire High; concert by Ronstadt Generations; pre-season Downton Abbey preview at ASA via PBS and KUAT
The ASA mission supports extended learning, creative engagement, mentoring and public service over the entire span of retirement. It is located within Academy Village, a 55-plus retirement community in Southeast Tucson, Arizona: 13715 E. Langtry Lane, Tucson, AZ; 85747.
All residents of Academy Village become full dues-paying Senior Academy members at age 60, providing support for the ASA. In addition to the concerts and lectures each week, the resident members have a number of amenities available to them.
The ASA support organization, Academy Services Corporation, runs the Academy Villas, an assisted living residence.
Live lectures and musical programs are available to ASA members and the public; and videos of lectures and recorded concerts on videos are available on this website.
From time to time, our members and friends also make direct donations to sponsor the appearance of an artist or expert of special interest.
This mosaic depicts a sampler of past events, including a concert by the Vail Chorale founded and led by an Academy member, plus an early preview of the the final season of Downton Abbey which was co-hosted by ASA and our local PBS station KUAT.
