Abstract
Next month, we head to the ASTA National Conference in Louisville. I am excited about the opportunities you will have to learn from each other—and from our colleagues in the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA). For the first time, ASTA is collocating our conference with another association, and we look forward to the benefits of more keynote speakers, more performances, and more content for you—whether as part of the ASTA conference or down the hall in SAA’s spaces.
Whether you join us for the conference this year or are waiting to learn during the Virtual String Teachers Summit, July 15–16 online, or via our monthly webinars, please take a moment to think about how the content you are enjoying came into being. Much as I would love to take credit for creating these wonderful learning opportunities for our ASTA members, that work is done by our incredible volunteer leaders and supported by ASTA’s amazing staff. More than 300 ASTA members volunteer their time to help bring you the content you enjoy in this journal, and via ASTA’s performance stages, reading sessions, masterclass clinics, conference sessions, virtual summit offerings, and monthly webinars. Your colleagues gather as 20 different committees, meeting to discuss what content and information would be most valuable for you.
Do you have great ideas on what ASTA should be offering its members through professional learning and sessions? Do you have a vision of what your colleagues need, based on your own experience as a teacher, friend, mentor? YOU could be part of our volunteer leadership, too, and I hope you will consider doing so. ASTA has an open call for committee volunteers right now, and I encourage you to consider applying to serve and bring your ideas forward for the benefit of the string teaching community. Help us make a difference and grow a stronger string teaching profession for now and into the future. To apply, simply visit www.astastrings.org and click on the Committees link found under the “About” tab.
I hope your spring semester continues to go well, and I look forward to seeing you in person at the ASTA National Conference.
