ASTA National Conference
February 25-28, 2026 | San Francisco, California
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Vote for the 2025 MASTA Teacher of the Year
It’s time to vote for the MASTA Teacher of the Year. In 2014, our organization began alternating this award between studio teachers and classroom teachers each year, and this is the year to award a classroom teacher. Voting will end on Friday, January 3, 2025. Please read about each candidate below, and then cast your
Vote for the 2024 MASTA Teacher of the Year
It’s time to vote for the MASTA Teacher of the Year. In 2014, our organization began alternating this award between studio teachers and classroom teachers each year, and this is the year to award a studio teacher. Voting will end on Wednesday, January 3, 2024. Please read about each candidate below, and then cast your
Vote for the 2023 MASTA Teacher of the Year
It’s time to vote for the MASTA Teacher of the Year. In 2014, our organization began alternating this award between studio teachers and classroom teachers each year, and this is the year to award a classroom teacher. Voting will end on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. Please read about each candidate below, and then cast your
Solo Competition Winners
The 21st biennial MASTA Elizabeth E. H. Green Solo Competition Final Round was held on November 13, 2022 at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale Michigan. Guest competition judges were two principal members of the Toledo Symphony: Kirk Toth, Concertmaster and Amy Chang, Associate Principal Cello. The First Place, Gold Medal and $1,000 prize money was shared
Saline High School Performs with The Accidentals
Thanks to generous funding from several sources including the MASTA Outreach Grant, the Saline High School Orchestras had the opportunity to perform in concert with the Accidentals this past spring. The Accidentals, originally from Traverse City and now based in Nashville are described as a “female fronted, multi-instrumentalists, power trio”. Their music is dynamic and
2023 MASTA Chamber Music Festival
The 2023 MASTA Chamber Music Festival will be held on Monday, March 6th, at Western Michigan University. Coaches/judges will be: Dr. Sophie Tang and Professor Mary Kothman, violin, Professor Igor Fedotov, viola, Professor Bruce Uchimura, cello and Dr. Michael Hovnanian, double bass. Students will prepare a movement from major string chamber repertoire and have coaching,
2022 MASTA Chamber Music Festival
By Mary Kothman The 31st annual MASTA Chamber Music Festival was held on Monday, March 7, 2022 at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. Guest artists and competition judges were the string faculty at Western Michigan University: Megan Crawford, violin; Igor Fedotov, viola; Bruce Uchimura, cello; and Michael Hovnanian, double bass. Enrichment classes were presented by
Interview with Marilyn Kesler – A Michigan Teaching Legend
Candace Chappell, MASTA Notes Blog Editor In the upcoming days, music teachers from all across the state will be attending the Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids. The conference will feature many wonderful speakers, clinics, events, and performances, including the String Teachers Orchestra. This year, the Teachers Orchestra will be led by cellist and master
Tone, a Voice Comes from the Heart to the Strings
By Dr. Fangye Sun I am honored and thankful to receive the MASTA Professional Development Grant in 2021. Being a member of MASTA, there are many opportunities and much support provided to string educators and students to develop and engage new ideas and projects. MASTA grants are among those. I have always wanted to learn