George Bornoff Memorial Scholarship
Awarded annually to an early-career school orchestra teacher to attend the ASTA National Conference in conjunction with the Foundation for the Advancement of String Education (FASE).
2024 George Bornoff Memorial Scholarship Awardee
Megan Gerbrandt
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!
DUE Monday, October 14, 2024
George Bornoff Memorial Scholarship Application
Early career teachers – APPLY TODAY for the $1,000 George Bornoff Memorial Scholarship to attend the 2025 ASTA National Conference in Atlanta, GA!
Who can apply?
Full-time school orchestra teachers in their first 8 years of string teaching who are current ASTA members. 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 2025 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 application form using the button above.
2. Be prepared to submit the following items:
- 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 one letter of recommendation from an individual knowledgeable about your qualifications and teaching success.
When is the application deadline?
2025 Applications are DUE Monday, October 14, 2024
When will the winner be announced?
By early December 2024
Scholarship funds are to be used for costs specifically associated with the conference, including registration fees and travel expenses. Recipients are required to:
- Confirm their ability to attend the conference
- Participate in recognition activities
- Complete the Scholarship Fund Report
- 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.
The following article appears in the August 2024 issue of American String Teacher and highlights the experiences of the George Bornoff Memorial Scholarship Awardee each year.
Previous Scholarship Winners
2024
Megan Gerbrandt
Overland Park, KS
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