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2027 Conference Committee Roundtables

All conference attendees are encouraged to attend the committee roundtables to learn more about the activities and projects the committees are currently working on and to provide feedback and additional insights to the committee.

Committee roundtables will take place in E263 and E264, unless otherwise noted

Thursday, February 25

10:00-11:00 AM: Advocacy Committee (E263) and Mentorship Committee (E264)

12:30-1:30 PM: RIA Committee (E263) and Studio Committee (E264)

2:00-3:00 PM: Conducting Committee (E264)

3:30-4:30 PM: Emeritus Committee (E264)

Friday, February 26

8:30-9:30 AM: Community Music Committee (E264)

10:00-11:00 AM: Student Advisory Committee (E263) and K-12 Committee (E264)

12:30-1:30 PM: Eclectic Styles Committee (E263) and Research Committee (E264)

2:00-3:00 PM: College Committee (E264)

Saturday, February 27

10:00-11:00 AM: ASTACAP Committee (E263) and Wellness Committee (E264)

Committee Roundtable Titles & Descriptions

*Titles and Descriptions will be updated as they are finalized

ADVOCACY

ASTACAP

Connecting, Listening, and Growing Together

This interactive roundtable welcomes current ASTACAP teachers, examiners, site coordinators, prospective participants, and anyone interested in learning more about the program. Bring your questions, experiences, and ideas as we discuss the ASTACAP Handbook, assessment and participation, teacher and examiner resources, and opportunities for future growth. We especially invite participants to share how ASTACAP can better support teachers, students, and string education communities nationwide.

Facilitators: Members of the ASTACAP Committee

COLLEGE

Career Preparation and Post-Graduate Pathways in Music

Members from the ASTA College Committee engage in a conversation about how to best prepare string music majors for contemporary careers in music. The conversation will consider post-collegiate needs across the performer-educator spectrum. Discussants represent a diversity of perspectives from geographic location, institutional size, and professional background.

Facilitators: Members of the College Committee

COMMUNITY MUSIC

CONDUCTING

The Conductor's Palette

Through gesture, score study, and rehearsal, we can unlock a full palette of color and musicality. The Conducting Committee will explore techniques for imagining, analyzing, and assessing the sound you want from your ensemble. We will discuss the challenges and rewards of this work and share tools that have helped our musicians grow. Whether you are new to the podium or a seasoned veteran, we hope this conversation sparks new ideas and invites questions about different approaches.

Facilitators: Members of the Conducting Committee

ECLECTIC STYLES

MetaJam: Permission to Begin

What does it mean to approach a musical style we don’t yet know? Building on the experience of MiniJams, this roundtable explores the process of becoming a learner. We’ll consider how educators can find authentic voices and resources, develop meaningful learning experiences, and navigate the vulnerability of learning alongside our students. Questions and reflections from MiniJams will help us explore how our approaches to learning can become part of what we share with students.

Facilitators: Members of the Eclectic Styles Committee

EMERITUS

Managing Your Finances as a Music Educator: Protect Yourself from Caesar!

Preservice - Managing college debt

Beginning Teaching - Creating a financial plan and foundation for the present and future

Mid-career - Maintaining financials, outside income, tax planning

Retirement Insight - Deadlines, SS/health ins., income, financial planning, investments

Facilitators: Members of the Emeritus Committee

K-12

Making Every Minute Count: Effective Music Instruction No Matter the Schedule

How can music educators make every minute count, regardless of the schedule? This interactive session invites teachers to share practical tips, strategies, and routines for maximizing instructional time in both block and traditional scheduling models. Participants will explore ways to adapt lesson pacing, rehearsal structures, transitions, and classroom management to different class lengths while maintaining student engagement. Come ready to share what works in your classroom and leave with fresh ideas and strategies to make every minute musical.

Facilitators: Members of the K-12 Committee

MENTORSHIP

Everybody Needs Somebody Sometime: Building Supports in Your Teaching

Join members of the Mentorship Committee for a roundtable discussion about how we can all find support, regardless of our experience level or how long we’ve been teaching.

Having someone with whom you can bounce ideas off —whether about pedagogy, classroom management, or self-care—can make a teaching career more rewarding and sustainable. Come share your experiences, learn from colleagues, and discover ways to build a strong network of support throughout your teaching journey.

Facilitators: Members of the Mentorship Committee

REPRESENTATION, INCLUSION, & ACCESSIBILITY

It Takes All of Us: Finding Your Role in the Work

You don’t have to be the person in charge to make meaningful change. Some of us will plant the seed, nurture the idea, or help sustain the work that others have begun. This roundtable explores the many roles we can play in creating lasting change. Together, we will consider the importance of community, strategy, and knowing when to push, when to listen, and when to play the long game.

Facilitators: Members of the RIA Committee

RESEARCH

Teacher Burnout, Resilience, and Retention

Join us to celebrate ASTA’s Outstanding Long-Tern Achievement in String Research Award winner and learn about their journey as a string teacher/researcher. Then, join us for a discussion about what we can learn from research about factors contributing to burnout, resilience, and teacher retention. We will explore how those findings can inform pre-service preparation, in-service support, and recruitment.

Facilitators: Members of the Research Committee

STUDENT ADVISORY

Building Community through Sustainable Student Chapters

Starting a student chapter can feel like a daunting task! What seems even scarier is sustaining a student chapter through its early years. Learn from the perspectives of students and join in discussion about the challenges and successes of building a thriving student chapter. This session aims to empower you to build a community that supports your growth and advocacy in music education through ASTA student chapters.

Facilitators: Members of the Student Advisory Committee

STUDIO

The Private Studio Toolkit: Marketing, Communication, and Essential Business Operations for String Teachers

Many studio teachers transition into private instruction driven by passion, yet find themselves unprepared for running an independent business. This interactive roundtable provides a practical toolkit bridging teaching passion and sustainable studio management. Topics include professional liability, crafting fair policies (fees, scheduling, cancellations), and recruitment strategies like connecting with local orchestra directors. Attendees will leave with customizable templates and actionable strategies to build and protect a thriving studio.

Facilitators: Members of the Studio Committee

WELLNESS

Getting “Well” with Wellness: Perspectives on Integration

Come learn how wellbeing and musicians’ health has been integrated in real-world music spaces and classrooms at both the K-12 and College/University levels. Join others in a discussion of what would be helpful for your own efforts and goals in facilitating healthy music learning and how the Wellness Committee can support you!

Facilitators: Members of the Wellness Committee