Dear MASTA members,
I am writing to give some updates on the MASTA board. We have some departures and some new appointments that I’d like to share with you.
Allie Holden will be leaving as membership chair to take on a leadership role in MSBOA. For the past five years Allie has done an excellent job as our membership chair. We wish her well in her new position!
Joining the board as the new membership chair is Amy Tenney. Amy holds a degree in music education from Calvin University. She has taught for six years and is currently finishing her second year at East Rockford MS teaching grades 6-8. Amy has also directed the orchestras in Traverse City at Central High School and East Middle School and also Byron Center High School. In addition to her middle school teaching, Ms. Tenney also plays cello with several local ensembles and events in the West Michigan Area, has a private cello studio, and coaches sectionals for schools in Kent County.
Andrea Yun left as studio chair last September. I want to thank Andrea for the energy she brought to that position for the last two years!
Joining the board as our new studio teaching chair is Shawn Boucké. Shawn is a freelance musician and private studio teacher in the Metro Detroit area. Shawn graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Music Education with a violin focus in 2009. The following year he began teaching private lessons at McCourt’s Musical Instruments/The Detroit Violin Company in Waterford, and as a long-term guest orchestra director in the Waterford School district. In 2020 Shawn graduated with a Master of Music in viola from Central Michigan University. Shawn hopes to expand communications between studio teachers and the ASTA Michigan community, create opportunities for growth as educators, and develop new opportunities for students of private teachers. You can learn more about Shawn at his website www.ShawnBoucke.com
I want to thank Amy and Shawn for their willingness to serve the MASTA organization!
David Reed has decided to step down from his role as the MYAF liaison for MASTA. Dave has served in this role for many years and has done an awesome job coordinating the performances for the winning ensemble of our Chamber Music Festival. The future of the MYAF is uncertain at this time. Dan Scott has agreed to take on the role of MYAF liaison for next year while we learn more about the future of that festival. Thank you Dan!
This has been a challenging year for all of us, but we were still able to hold our Solo Competition and Chamber Music Festival and offer many excellent sessions at the virtual MMC. I am looking forward to bringing back our in-person events in 2021-22. I will be in touch soon with more information about our plans for next year.
Musically yours,
Michael Hopkins