George Bornoff Memorial Scholarship

Sponsored by the Foundation for the Advancement of String Education (FASE) in conjunction with ASTA

2024 George Bornoff Memorial Scholarship Awardee


Megan Gerbrant

Blue Valley Middle School and Blue River Elementary School

Overland Park, KS


Megan Gerbrandt is the Orchestra Director at Blue Valley Middle School and Blue River Elementary School in Overland Park, Kansas. Megan’s passion is for all students to experience the joy of music, and she works to make her classroom a life-giving place for students to grow and learn. Megan is the 2023-24 ECKMEA Outstanding Young Music Educator in Orchestra. She looks forward to attending the ASTA Conference to be inspired by amazing teachers from around the country!



  • 2024 Applications have now closed

    George Bornoff Memorial Scholarship Application

    Click Here

Early career teachers – APPLY TODAY for the $1,000 George Bornoff Memorial Scholarship to attend the 2024 ASTA National Conference in Louisville, KY.


Who can apply?

Full-time school orchestra teachers in their first 8 years of string teaching who have a current ASTA Membership can apply. Renew or Join Today! **Check out the reduced rate for New Professional Memberships!


How many scholarships are awarded?

One scholarship of $1,000 will be granted for attending the 2024 ASTA National Conference.


How is the winner selected?

Members of the Bornoff Memorial Scholarship Committee will choose the winner based on the candidate’s application materials.


Special consideration is given to applicants who teach traditionally underserved populations or who demonstrate a commitment to furthering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.


How do I apply?

1. Complete the 2024 George Bornoff Memorial Scholarship Application Form

2. Upload the following items to the online application form

  • Write and submit an essay (300 words or less) that presents at least three approaches to your string teaching process (including a demonstrated commitment to students, outstanding achievement in the classroom, and a sincere interest in string pedagogy) and explain how this scholarship will assist you in achieving your string education career goals.
  • Submit a current resume that includes work experience, education, training, service, leadership, and notable achievements by you or your students.
  • Submit two letters of recommendation from individuals knowledgeable about your qualifications and teaching success.

When is the application deadline?

2024 Applications have NOW CLOSED.


When will the winner be announced?

By early December 2023


Scholarship funds are to be used for costs specifically associated with the conference, including registration fees and travel expenses. Recipients are required to:

  1. Confirm their ability to attend the conference
  2. Participate in recognition activities
  3. Complete the Scholarship Fund Report
  4. Write a short article (500 words) for the American String Teacher journal on what you learned at the conference and how it will help you in the future.

*In the event that the selected recipient cannot attend, the award will be redistributed to an alternate.

Previous Scholarship Winners

  • 2023

    Margaret Chan

    Somers, NY

  • 2022

    Anna Byington

    Dorchester, MA

  • 2022

    Monquez Ford

    Natchez, MS

  • 2022

    Alejandro Padro-Fuentes

    Fort Worth, TX

  • 2021

    Panya Amphone

    Wichita, KS

  • 2021

    Kornelia Cesarz

    Burr Ridge, IL

  • 2021

    Kathryn Higgins

    Millersville, MD

  • 2021

    En-Ting Hsu

    Kansas City, MO

  • 2021

    Justin Louie

    Clifton, NJ

  • 2021

    Melanie Sadoff

    Nanuet, NY

  • 2020

    Sundas Mohi-Truong

    Houston, TX

  • 2020

    Jaris Tobler

    Macon, GA

  • 2020

    Marissa Rollins

    Tampa, FL

  • 2019

    Caitlin Corbett

    Mesa, AZ

  • 2019

    Laura Jay

    Tonawanda, NY

  • 2019

    Melvin Jones-Conley

    Tuscaloosa, AL

  • 2018

    Shannon Kaiser

    Henderson, NV

  • 2018

    Bethany Rhine

    Charles City, IA

  • 2018

    Amanda Tant

    Asheville, NC

  • 2017

    Larisa Marian

    Fairfax, VA

  • 2017

    Lesslie Nunez

    Forest Grove, OR

  • 2017

    Andrew Price

    North Charleston, SC

  • 2016

    Lauren Gruber

    Richmond, IN

  • 2016

    Lindsay Reisler

    Baltimore, MD

  • 2016

    Lindsay Schwartz

    West Fargo, ND

  • 2015

    Alyna Bloecher

    Bowling Green, KY

  • 2015

    Lauren Hood

    Albuquerque, NM

  • 2015

    Jessica McNair

    Charlotte, NC

  • 2014

    Aaron Fried

    Boston, MA

  • 2014

    Matthew Nix

    Royal Oak, MI

  • 2014

    Kelsey Nussbaum

    Austin, TX

  • 2013

    Jordan King

    Fond du Lac, WI

  • 2013

    Joel Schut

    Grand Rapids, MI

  • 2013

    Christa Rowland

    Boise, ID

  • 2012

    Kasia Bugaj

    Attica, IN

  • 2012

    Mary Hoyt

    Irmo, SC

  • 2012

    Ryan Thornton

    Winston Salem, NC

(703) 279-2113

asta@astastrings.org

4155 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA, 22030


© 2024 American String Teachers Association