“I love ASTA!”
“I’m going to the ASTA Conference!”
These are two phrases I have spoken countless times over the past thirty years. I love this organization and its members. Each opportunity to connect with you—whether at a conference or in some other way—feels like coming home.
There is no other organization quite like ASTA. We represent a beautiful blend of people with different interests, skills, and backgrounds, which brings richness and limitless possibilities for learning. We also share many common characteristics that make us the unique organization that we are.
When people ask me why I love ASTA so much, I tell them about our ASTA members and what they love:
Love to teach. As I travel across the country and meet ASTA members, it is thrilling to hear the stories of string teachers who love their job and love the students with whom they interact. Whether they have been teaching for six months or 60 years, they display a uniquely insatiable and inspiring dedication to this work. I hope we can continue to find ways to keep our music teaching livelihoods enjoyable, balanced, and sustainable so this love of teaching continues to burn bright.
Love to make music together. A hallmark of ASTA members is the way we strive to provide one another a safe, brave, non-judgmental, and supportive space to be ourselves, to share, to laugh together, to cry together, to express our authentic and possible selves. That kind of environment evokes a welcome invitation to come as you are and make music together. From ensemble festivals and master classes to formal and informal jam sessions, this kind of welcome and embrace of one another is critical to keeping the joy in our music-making.
Love to support one another. One of my favorite characteristics of ASTA members is the way we genuinely wish for the success and happiness of others. We are not fully happy unless others—students, colleagues, and beyond are also happy. Of course, we all have difficult and challenging days and seasons as string teachers. In such difficult moments ASTA offers mentorship programs and other state and national activities to sustain its members.
Love to learn. ASTA members don’t just love to teach; we love to learn. This means we are open to new techniques, new approaches, new styles, and new philosophies that continually expand what we thought was possible. Our association is inspiring in the way its members continue to celebrate great music, musicians, and teachers throughout its history while also embracing new ways of thinking, being, and making music. This is one reason I have kept my membership active over several decades, because ASTA continues to offer me more than I could have ever imagined. I can’t wait to see where we go next!
Love to connect. Whether at conferences, state chapter events, webinars, or with industry partners or other organizations, ASTA members have a penchant for connection. With our shared love of teaching, learning, making music, and supporting one another, connection is as organic and resonant for ASTA members as is Open D.
I hope we can focus on supporting one another with increased attention to our own wellbeing and that of our students—our co-learners.
