ASTA National Conference
February 25-28, 2026 | San Francisco, California
An Interview with Robert Ritsema
Robert Ritsema is a Professor Emeritus of Music at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, where he taught from 1967 to 2000. His first teaching position was in the Portage, Michigan schools; while there, he was also a member of the Kalamazoo Symphony. He was also the director of the Hope College Orchestra and the Hope
U.P Chamber Music Festival
Ninth Annual U.P. Chamber Music Festival Friday, October 13, 2017 Bothwell Middle School, 9 AM-5 PM Full Details
Developing the Bow Arm from Pre-Twinkle to Bk. 10 and Beyond – A Teacher Workshop with Cathryn Lee
This 10 hour course gives the teacher a practical and child-friendly way to develop the complete bow arm from Pre-Twinkle to Bk. 10 and beyond. This Enrichment course will make teaching beautiful tone and a bio-mechanically effective bow arm fun for the child and easy for you. Complex right arm concepts will be made simple
President’s Message – Fall 2017
The American String Teachers Association has a reputation for excellence. The organization is filled with teachers who are dedicated, hard-working and passionate about their craft. ASTA members care about outcomes and are continually pursuing opportunities to hone their craft. The group has excellent leadership and faithful members who all do their part to make
Is Mentorship for You?
CALLING YOUNG AND & OLD! ASTA has developed a national mentoring program based on the expressed needs of ASTA members. The program is designed to connect early career teachers (1st-5th years) with experienced string/orchestra teachers. Deadline to enroll in this program is AUGUST 31, 2017. PLEASE consider giving of yourself to this program. BOTH mentees
Call for Content for MASTA Blog
Call for Content! 2017-2018 MASTA Notes is now ALL ELECTRONIC! Articles are posted around the 15th of every month between September and May. Please click here for full details on how to submit content.
Register for the Michigan Cello Festival
Registration is OPEN for the Michigan Cello Festival! Please visit www.michigancellofestival.com for information on the day and how to register.
MASTA at the MYAF 2017
by Dave Reed What an outstanding three days it was attending the 55th Annual Michigan Youth Arts Festival at Western Michigan University, May 18-20. It struck me that exactly 40 years ago my brother Robert Reed and I were in the Michigan-ASTA Honors Quartet that performed at the festival. This festival was, and still is an
Michigan String Educators Workshop
The University of Michigan String Educators Workshop will be held this year on Thursday June 22 through Saturday June 24, 2017 on the U-M North Campus in Ann Arbor. The workshop is a wealth of information. This year Martin Norgaard will be joining our faculty, along with Abby Alwin, Megan McDevitt, and Molly Baugh. The workshop is
GVSU String Leadership Camp
Registration is open for the 2nd annual String Leadership Camp at Grand Valley State University. This intensive three-day chamber music camp is for any string players (entering grade 8 through entering college) who have played their instrument at least 4 years. The initial camp last year was very successful and we are delighted to be hosting the wonderful Avalon