David Pope

David Pope serves as a Professor of Music Education at Baldwin Wallace University. He has conducted numerous all-state/regional honor orchestras, and he frequently serves as a guest clinician for K12 and collegiate music education programs. Dr. Pope has presented at the ASTA National Conference, the European String Teachers Congress, The Midwest Clinic, the International Music Education Summit, and many regional/state conferences. He currently serves as Editor for ASTA’s String Research Journal. He served as a co-editor for Teaching Music Through Performance in Orchestra (Vol. 4) and as a co-author for Sound Orchestra. Dr. Pope is the recipient of ASTA’s Presidential Service Award, ASTA’s Emerging String Researcher Award, and the Ohio String Teachers Association’s (OSTA) Collegiate Educator of the Year Award. He previously served as Chair of ASTA’s National Conference and is the current President of OSTA. He previously taught middle and high school orchestra in Tennessee, Florida, and Ohio.

Personal Statement

I am a proud ASTA member because of how the membership has profoundly impacted my career. While I look forward to sessions at the national conference, it was the conversations with members and guidance from ASTA mentors that changed me. Through those, I grew by learning to listen to others who have different experiences and more knowledge than me. I believe those conversations, my public school and collegiate teaching experience, and my prior leadership opportunities have prepared me to serve in the Secretary position. I understand the importance of listening and considering all vantage points before making a decision. In this position, I want to help advance string teaching and playing for all members by listening to your voices, learning from my peers, and representing your ideas. I am honored for this nomination, and I look forward to the opportunity to proudly serve ASTA and its members.

Leadership Experience

I have served in various leadership positions during my career. With ASTA, I volunteered for five years as Chair and Vice-Chair of ASTA’s National Conference. I am the current Editor of ASTA’s String Research JournaI, and I am also the Ohio Chapter President and Fall Workshop Coordinator. I previously served on the board for Tennessee ASTA. Outside of ASTA, I have worked as an Executive Director and music director for youth orchestra programs.

Response to Challenges in String Education

I believe the biggest challenge in our profession is the recruitment and retention of string teachers since many positions go unfilled each year and young teachers exit the profession. To help, I would like ASTA to excite high school students about string teaching by providing opportunities where they are mentored and experience teaching firsthand. I would also expand ASTA’s resources for young and rural teachers so they do not feel isolated in our profession.

Response to RIA

When I think about representation, inclusion, and accessibility, I am reminded of the quote, “Impact is greater than intent.” Inclusion means considering viewpoints from those with varying voices and experiences before decisions are made. As a former K12 string teacher who taught in low, middle, and high socioeconomic schools, I understand how the needs of those students and teachers differ. I believe ASTA can create more opportunities to support each group based on their needs.

Vision for ASTA

ASTA has done so many things well, and I want to honor and continue the impactful programs and events from the past. However, I am hopeful ASTA can also find more ways to create programming on the state and local levels that will reach students and teachers who are unable experience ASTA at the national level. I believe this change can foster a grassroots revolution that will support more string teachers and their students.