<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 13px; "><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3" style="font-size: 13px; ">The American String Teachers Association is pleased to announce its newest program: The Eclectic Strings Festival (ESF)!</font></font></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 13px; "><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size: 13px; "> </font></p><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 13px; "><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3" style="font-size: 13px; ">This three-day annual event debuts at ASTA's 2011 National Conference in Kansas City, Missouri on March 17 - 19. ESF promises individual students and pre-established alternative styles groups:</font></font></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 13px; "><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size: 13px; "> </font></p><div style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.25in; font-size: 13px; "><span style="font-family: Webdings; "><font size="3" style="font-size: 13px; ">¯</font><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10px; "> </span></span><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3" style="font-size: 13px; ">clinics with nationally- recognized clinicians, Andy Carlson, Christian Howes, Martin Norgaard and Randy Sabien.</font></font></div><div style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.25in; font-size: 13px; "><span style="font-family: Webdings; "><font size="3" style="font-size: 13px; ">¯</font><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10px; "> </span></span><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3" style="font-size: 13px; ">a chance to learn fiddle, rock and jazz.</font></font></div><div style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.25in; font-size: 13px; "><span style="font-family: Webdings; "><font size="3" style="font-size: 13px; ">¯</font><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10px; "> </span></span><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3" style="font-size: 13px; ">a place to meet fellow string players from across the country.</font></font></div><div style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.25in; font-size: 13px; "><span style="font-family: Webdings; "><font size="3" style="font-size: 13px; ">¯</font><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10px; "> </span></span><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3" style="font-size: 13px; ">experiences in ASTA's strings- only Exhibit Hall.</font></font></div><div style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.25in; font-size: 13px; "><span style="font-family: Webdings; "><font size="3" style="font-size: 13px; ">¯</font><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10px; "> </span></span><font size="3" style="font-size: 13px; "><font face="Times New Roman">an opportunity to volunteer to perform with Mark Wood and Friends during the National Conference's Saturday evening concert.</font></font></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 13px; "><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size: 13px; "> </font></p><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 13px; "><font size="3" style="font-size: 13px; "><font face="Times New Roman">Even teachers attending the National Conference can register! This will be an incredible chance for students and teachers to learn great tunes from the experts and perform fabulous music together! </font></font></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 13px; "><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size: 13px; "> </font></p><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 13px; "><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size: 13px; ">For more information on the Eclectic Strings Festival, guidelines and how to register please visit the ASTA website at</font><a href="http://www.astaweb.com/Content/NavigationMenu/Competitions/EclecticStringsFestival/default.htm"><font color="#800080" size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size: 13px; ">http://www.astaweb.com/Content/NavigationMenu/Competitions/EclecticStringsFestival/default.htm</font></a><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size: 13px; "> or contact the National Office at (703) 279-2113 ex. 20 or </font><a href="mailto:libby@astaweb.com"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size: 13px; ">libby@astaweb.com</font></a><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size: 13px; ">.</font></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 13px; "><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size: 13px; "> </font></p><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 13px; "><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size: 13px; ">I hope to see many of your students and you there!</font></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 13px; "><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size: 13px; "> </font></p><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 13px; "><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size: 13px; ">Sincerely,</font></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 13px; "><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size: 13px; ">Amy Feldkamp-Marr,</font></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 13px; "><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size: 13px; ">Chair, ASTA Alt-Styles Committee</font></div></body></html>