ASTA AZ: American String Teachers Association

Welcome to the website of the Arizona chapter of American String Teachers Association! Our growing chapter of 250 members represents string lovers of all sorts; violinists, violists, cellists, bassists, guitarists, harpists, performers, teachers, students, amateurs, professionals, parents of string players, and luthiers. You will find a very supportive and active community of string enthusiasts in ASTA Arizona.

Throughout the year we provide activities for our members and their students that promote their love of string playing and encourage growth of skills as they teach and perform. Here is a brief sampling of an ASTA AZ year:

• The Fall Workshop for members with a leading clinician and a reading session of new materials
• Special all day clinics for students--- Cellobration, Virtuoso Violas, Bass Jam
• Solo Competition and Honors Recital with cash prizes for outstanding students
• Awards to Outstanding Public School and Private Teachers
• Master classes

Our website is now our primary means of communication with our membership. Online registration for events has taken the place of mailings. Also, note the informative articles in our Newsletter and String Notes. The Photo Gallery features pictures from ASTA events during the year.

Additionally, the national ASTA provides members with an award-winning journal published four times a year and hosts the most incredible three-and-a-half-day conference imaginable with performances and sessions that are guaranteed to inspire and inform. The national website is a wealth of information about ASTA and its services.

 

March 2010

Dear Members,

I'm still inspired from my experiences at the 2010 ASTA National Conference in San Jose. The sessions, concerts, master classes, and exhibits were all amazing and will remain treasured memories. All members owe it to themselves to attend at least one of the national conferences. Be sure to read about a few of the sessions on our String Notes page.

Arizona was once again well-represented at the conference by thirty-five of our members. We were proud of these members who took an active role in making the conference an outstanding one:

Theodore Buchholz, poster session on "An Analysis of the Lower Posture's Affect on Leg and Knee Placement Through Photographs and Treatises of Selected Cellists"  See Ted's article on this in Newsletter 3.

Nancy Buck, "What's Your Number: Ways to Enhance Rhythmic Skills to Achieve Timeless Performance"

Doris Gazda, "Duets: Perfection by Twos"

Ruth Kurtis, adjudicator for National Orchestra Festival

Thomas Landschoot, "Release!"

Margaret Schmidt, "Teaching More than Notes: Developing Expressive Musicianship with Young String Players" and "Help! My Students Don't Take Private Lessons!"

S. Daniel Swaim, "Solos That Your Bass Student Will Love!"

Jonatan Swartz, "Theory Matters" and "Perfect Practice"  See Jonathan's article in Newsletter 3.

Peter and Gail Rolland, Exhibitors of Paul Rolland method teaching materials

Southwest Strings, Exhibitors

Anita Archer and Laura Tagawa, presiders at sessions

Looking forward now--- Please plan to attend the ASTA Arizona sponsored cello master class and teaching seminar with Jeffrey Solow on Saturday, April 10 at 2 p.m. in ASU's Katzin Auditorium. This event will be inspiring and fun for all string players. Read more about Jeffrey Solow.

As always, please contact me with any suggestions you may have for our ASTA chapter. Your involvement keeps our chapter alive and growing!

Best wishes,

Jan McDivitt