About Us

Mission

To Enrich Lives through the Joy of Teaching and Playing String Instruments

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 at ASTA-AZ.

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.

Additionally, the national ASTA provides members with an award-winning journal published four times a year and hosts an incredible three-and-a-half-day conference, with performances and sessions that are guaranteed to inspire and inform. 

Officers

Steven Moeckel, President

Maria Simiz, Past-President

Ikuko Kanda Whitehouse, President-Elect

Joshua Lynch, Secretary

Amanda Hartley, Treasurer

John Haggard, Solo Competition Chair

Mary Ann Ramos, Northern Membership Chair (Flagstaff Area)

Danica Terzic, Central Membership Chair (Phoenix Area)

Jason Sah,  Southern Membership Chair (Tucson Area)

ASTA Application Form

Constitution and Bylaws

Meeting Minutes:  ASTA Meeting Minutes 2004-2006   ASTA Meeting Minutes 2007  ASTA Meeting Minutes 2008  ASTA Meeting Minutes 2009   ASTA Meeting Minutes 2010   ASTA Meeting Minutes 2011   ASTA Meeting Minutes 2012   ASTA Minutes Jan. 2014   ASTA Minutes May 2015   ASTA Meeting Minutes Sep. 2015   ASTA Meeting Minutes June 2016 ASTA Meeting Minutes August 2016 ASTA General Meeting August 2016 ASTA Meeting June 2017  ASTA Meeting Minutes Sep. 2017ASTA-Meeting-6_6_18 ASTA Meeting 9_15_18 ASTA Minutes 5_29_2019 ASTA meeting 9_21_19

Past Fall Workshop Clinicians

2024 –
2023 – Margaret Selby
2022 – Taylor Morris and the Gilbert Town Fiddlers, Meghan Ruel and Trent Rincon
2021 – Elizabeth Ramos, Kirk Johnson and Desert Sounds
2020 – Kirt Mosier, Charles Laux and Simply Three
2019 – Soon Hee Newbold, Molly Gebrian
2018 – Richard Meyer, Tammy Yi
2017 – Karin Hallberg, Jenny Nichols, Christopher Finet, Nancy Buck, Jonathan Swartz and Walt Temme
2016 – Debbie Lyle
2015 – Brenda Brenner
2014 – Susan Day, Tetra Quartet, Clark Chaffee

History of the Past Winners of the Outstanding Teacher Award

(Odd-Even = Studio Teacher, Even-Odd = Public School Teacher)

Nominations are open from September 1 – November 1 by sending few paragraphs about the teachers accomplishment and why you think the person deserve the award.  Winner will be announced after voting within the board members. E-mail to [email protected]

2022 – 2023Jenny Nichols
2019 – 2020Shari Paris
2018 – 2019Terry Alexander
2017 – 2018Laura Tagawa
2016 – 2017Karalee Hagen
2015 – 2016Marybeth Tyndall
2014 – 2015Amy Bennet
2013 – 2014Susanne Rothaar
2012 – 2013Walt Temme
2011 – 2012Louise Scott
2010 – 2011Catherine Nichols
2009 – 2010Dan Swaim
2008 – 2009Bill Bitter
2007 – 2008Dennis Bourret
2006 – 2007Diane Grieser
2005 – 2006David Rife
2004 – 2005Fran Veres
1999 – 2000Patricia Cosand

History of the Presidents

2024 – 2026Steven Moeckel
2022 – 2024Maria Simiz
2020 – 2022John Haggard
2018 – 2020Toru Tagawa
2016 – 2018Jonathan Swartz
2014 – 2016Theodore Buchholz
2012 – 2014Shelly Rich
2010 – 2012Terry Alexander
2008 – 2010Janice McDivitt
2006 – 2008Ann Williams
2004 – 2006Donald Hamann
2002 – 2004Marna Bowling
2000 – 2002Carol Matthusen
1998 – 2000Claire Gordon
1996 – 1998Beth Gilbert
1994 – 1996Patricia Cosand
1992 – 1994Sheila Kendall
1990 – 1992Louise Scott
1988 – 1990Daniel Swaim
1986 – 1988Phyllis Skoldberg
1984 – 1986Margaret Ruccolo
1982 – 1984Jeffrey Showell
1980 – 1982William Magers
1977 – 1980Dennis Bourret
1975 – 1977John Ferrell
1974 – 1975Richard Gregory
1972 – 1974Gordon Epperson
1970 – 1972Frank Spineza
1967 – 1970Dale Brubaker
1965 – 1967Eugene Lombardi
1964 – 1965Lauritz Bjorlie
1962 – 1964Anna Mae Sharp