Student Master Classes
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Participate in an ASTA Student Master Class with instruction from an expert clinician at the 2027 National Conference!
In a 60-minute session, two students will each receive 30 minutes of one-on-one instruction.
Applications DUE Thursday, October 1, 2026.
Apply in one of the following categories:
- Pre-Collegiate Violin
- Pre-Collegiate Viola
- Pre-Collegiate Cello
- Pre-Collegiate Double Bass
- Collegiate Violin
- Collegiate Viola
- Collegiate Cello
- Collegiate Double Bass
- All Level Eclectic Styles (solos or groups)
- All Level Chamber Music
BEFORE submitting your application, make sure to review the ASTA Student Master Class Application Guidelines
Prepare the following for your application:
- Please ensure you have determined what repertoire you would like to perform if selected. Include title, movement (if applicable), and composer.
- All applications must include an uploaded video file. *This video does NOT need to be a piece you intend to play for the class if selected.
- If applying for the Chamber Music or Eclectic Styles with a group, also include: Full name (first and last) for all students intending to participate in the ensemble/group and each student's instrument.
- All applications must include contact information for an ASTA Member Sponsor: a studio/private teacher, school teacher, or other sponsor that is a current ASTA member to sponsor your application and participation, if selected.
- If requested, ASTA will provide a collaborative pianist for the master class performance and a 30-minute preparation session prior to the master class performance.
Applications will be reviewed and notifications will be sent in November 2026.
Master Class performers will receive complimentary conference registration for their performance day and those under 18 will also receive 1 complimentary chaperone registration for the performance day. If you wish to attend additional conference days, paid registration will be required.
For questions about Master Class sessions, please email us at meetings@astastrings.org.
Applications OPEN August 13 and are DUE October 1, 2026
2027 Student Master Class Application
2027 Student Master Class Clinicians
Pre-Collegiate Violin
To Be Announced
Pre-Collegiate Viola
To Be Announced
Pre-Collegiate Cello
To Be Announced
Pre-Collegiate Double Bass
Michael Geib
University of Central Oklahoma
Collegiate Violin
collegiate viola
Collegiate Cello
Denise Djokic
McGill University Schulich School of Music
Collegiate Double Bass
Nicholas Walker
University of Michigan
All-Level Chamber Music
Ka-Wai Yu
Utah Tech University
All-Level Eclectic Styles
To Be Announced
2027 Master Class Schedule
All Master Classes will take place in E270
Thursday, February 25
10:00-11:00 AM - Collegiate Double Bass
Nicholas Walker is a double bassist, Professor of Music at the University of Michigan, Fulbright Scholar, and former President/Artistic Director of the International Society of Bassists. A versatile performer and composer, he is principal bass of the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra and appears with leading ensembles internationally. He holds degrees from Rice University, the Nadia Boulanger Conservatoire de Paris, and Stony Brook University (DMA, 2004). He teaches at Domaine Forget, and previously at Ithaca College.
12:30-1:30 PM - Collegiate Cello
Recently nominated for the Oskar Morawetz Award for Excellence in Music Performance, Canadian-American cellist Denise Djokic has earned recognition across the globe as a soloist, chamber musician and educator. Denise served on the faculty of the School of Music at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 2021-2025, where she was recognized for excellence in teaching by the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning. In 2025, she was appointed to the faculty of the Schulich School of Music at McGill University in Montréal, Québec.
2:00-3:00 PM - Collegiate Viola
3:30-4:30 PM - Collegiate Violin
Friday, February 26
8:30-9:30 AM - All-Level Chamber Music
Ka Wai Yu is Associate Professor of Music at Utah Tech University where he teaches cello and chamber music. He regularly presents in the conferences of ASTA and NAfME, and is a board member of Utah ASTA. Currently the Principal Cellist of the Southwest Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Yu is a founding member of the Zion Trio and Cosmopolitan Baroque. He holds degrees from University of Illinois, Indiana University, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
10:00-11:00 AM - Pre-Collegiate Double Bass
Described as a "masterful" artist, protean bassist Michael T. Geib defies musical boundaries. A true musical chameleon, he thrives in any setting—empowering bassists to master all styles, rooted in his doctoral research on double bass improvisation. Beyond his work as a Clemson Artist in Residence and UCO Professor, he is a Grammy Voting Member and featured artist for D'Addario, KRUTZ Strings, and Onyx Lane.
12:30-1:30 PM - Pre-Collegiate Cello
2:00-3:00 PM - Pre-Collegiate Viola
3:30-4:30 PM - Pre-Collegiate Violin
Saturday, February 27
10:00-11:00 AM - All-Level Eclectic Styles