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Expanding the Score:

Amplifying opportunities for every string student, teacher, and performer

Join us for this 2-day online, synchronous event to build tools, develop techniques, and connect with colleagues from around the country and the world!

ASTA is partnering with our colleagues at the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Suzuki Association of the Americas, the College Music Society, the European String Teachers Association (ESTA), and the Tennessee Music Education Association to create this year’s summit. Come join us and colleagues from across the world in this online event!

KEYNOTES

Monday, July 13 - 11:00-11:45 AM ET

"Why?" Find your Reason and Build on It

As music educators, we live in a world of "shoulds": what students should experience and accomplish, what we should be doing to meet these objectives, how we should show and share the results. With the seeming urgency of should, it can feel like there is no space for why. But to serve this generation of young people well, we MUST build on why. Moreover, we must move past the whys of consensus and canon to find and face those that live deep within us as individual music makers. In this keynote, Allyssa Jones, Founder of Rising Tide Music Press, shares her journey from should to why, and offers insights to support our own.

Allyssa Jones (M.M. Music Education, Northern Illinois University) is a nationally recognized arts education clinician currently serving as Director of Vocal Ensembles at University of South Florida. A Surdna Fellowship recipient, her creative credits include solo recordings, original musicals and choral compositions. Her composer journey prompted her to establish Rising Tide Music Press to support emerging BBIA composers and those seeking their work.

Tuesday, July 14 - 11:00-11:45 AM ET

Collaboration in Action: Stories, Partnerships, and Possibilities

Helen Cha-Pyo explores collaboration as a purpose-driven practice beyond traditional string education, sharing real examples of partnerships that use music to foster human connection and meaningful context. This interactive session invites shared dialogue, questions, and collective brainstorming as we explore together how collaboration can expand opportunities and deepen connection, purpose, and community.

Helen H. Cha-Pyo is an award-winning conductor and arts leader dedicated to music’s power for social impact. As Music Director and Principal Conductor of the New Jersey Youth Symphony at Wharton Arts (NJ), she leads acclaimed performances and champions works by women and underrepresented composers including new commissions, A sought-after guest clinician and frequent All-State orchestra conductor nationwide, she has also led collegiate ensembles at Montclair State University and Rutgers University. She holds degrees from Oberlin Conservatory of Music and Eastman School of Music.