ASTA MD/DC Chapter

Alexander Technique with Cynthia Mauney
2024-03-10 14:30 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Sunday, March 10, 2:30-4:00 at Potter’s Recital Hall
7711 Eastern Ave,
Takoma Park, MD 20912
Free for ASTA members! Register Here: AT Technique Workshop

We thank Potter’s Fine Violins for sponsoring this event!

2024 Jack Weaver Memorial Competition
2024-04-13 00:00
2024 Jack Weaver Memorial Competition
For Violin, Viola and Cello
2024 Winners
Registration Deadline: Sunday, March 3, 2024
Date: Saturday, April 13, 2024
Location: Calvary Lutheran Church, 9545 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
NOTE: Parking on the grass next to the exit driveway is permitted, if needed.
Registration Fees: $50 for ASTA members, $75 for non-ASTA members
To register:

Make one online payment for all of your students. Click here to use Paypal. Note the confirmation number.
Register each student here. You will need your confirmation number as proof of payment.

Prizes: Each instrument category (violin, viola, and cello) has the following prizes available:
First prize: $500
Second prize: $400
Third prize: $300
New Special Prize for 2024: $300 for the best performance of a work by a woman or BIPOC composer. This prize may be awarded in addition to, or separately from, one of the prizes above. NOTE: Playing a work by a woman or BIPOC composer is optional in this year’s competition; it is NOT required.
Competition Rules and Guidelines
Lists of Works by Women and BIPOC Composers
This competition is underwritten with a generous grant from The Violin House of Weaver in Bethesda, Maryland.

ASTA MD/DC and Young Artists of America Orchestra! Elevate Students' Musical Journey!
2024-04-14 13:00 - 14:00
ASTA MD/DC
Young Artists of America Orchestra
Q & A Virtual Session Sunday April 14th 1:00-2:00 pm
Register Here: Virtual Session
Music Director Kristofer Sanz
Young Artists of America Orchestra! Elevate Students’ Musical Journey!
Performance & Q&A Session with Maestro Kris Sanz
YAAOrchestra, led by conductor Kristofer Sanz is an award-winning program that immerses grades 9-12 musicians in complex musical theater scores, fostering stage presence and collaboration within a supportive community.
JOIN US for a VIRTUAL Big Fish follow-up Q&A session with conductor Kristofer Sanz. Attendance to Big Fish performance not required.
Why YAA Orchestra?

Unique repertoire: Expand your students’ musical knowledge with exciting and challenging arrangements.
Supportive learning environment: Develop their skills with a conductor who sets high expectations and offers guidance.
Fast-paced & rigorous: Provide intense rehearsals that push your students to their full potential.
Community & collaboration: Foster their social bonds and teamwork through interaction with peers and performers.
Professional performance opportunities: Showcase their talent on renowned stages, gaining valuable experience.

What students say about YAAOrchestra:
“YAAOrchestra is a place where you can grow and challenge yourself.”
“It gives you a completely different symphonic experience”
“The repertoire is modern and fast-paced.”

Partner with YAAOrchestra: Visit YAA.org/yaaorchestra or contact us at info@yaa.org to discuss how your students can participate. [link to https://www.youngartistsamerica.org/yaaorchestra in online version]

Choppin' Cellos
2024-05-05 14:00 - 17:30
Washington Adventist University and the ASTA MD/DC chapter co-host “Choppin’ Cellos” May 5th from 2:00 to 5:30 PM at the Peter’s Music Center on WAU’s campus in Takoma Park. This workshop is for intermediate to advanced players who want an introduction to the specialized techniques of Folk and Tango and the fundamentals of chart interpretation. Our presenters are Carol Anne Bosco, Devree Lewis, and Susanna Mendlow. Admission is $10 for ASTA members, students, and WAU affiliates. General admission is $15. Bring your cello and join in the fun!

Form/Ticket to Register Here: Choppin’ Cellos

Devree Lewis is a cellist based in the D.C. Metro Area. Her recent appearances include: a concert weekend with Choral Arts Society of Washington, performing Eric Whitacre’s A Sacred Veil for chorus and solo cello; Navy Band International Sax Symposium performing new chamber music by Jerod Tate; and studio recording with alt electronic band April+VISTA.

Devree regularly performs with Cello, World duo and Philadelphia-based Mill Race Collective as well as several regional orchestras. Principal cellist of Pan American Symphony Orchestra from 2009 – 2017, Devree continues to specialize in tango music through education, performance, and arranging. The National Symphony of Cuba premiered Devree’s orchestral arrangement of “Ni Pelota: Milonga” by E. Trifilio in 2017. Devree co-founded, performed with, and arranged music for Trifilio Tango Trio full time from 2015-2018. During her years with TTT, the trio recorded and produced three albums of original tango music. “Milonga de la Ausencia,” featuring Devree on cello, is the soundtrack for the short film “Vuelve con nosotros” and was nominated for best original score at Milan’s 2016 MOFF Film Festival. Devree has written tango curriculum and arrangements for Manhattan Chamber Music, where she has also taught since 2017, and directed her tango arrangements performed by DCYOP.

Drawing influence from all kinds of music, Austin-based cellist Carol Anne Bosco plays with a style that is eclectic and diverse. Her musical training includes performance degrees from Florida State University and the University of Maryland. A detour to New Orleans in between provided a chance to explore other styles of music as well. She has performed with the Arlington Philharmonic, Tysons-McLean Orchestra, Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, and has taken part in the Fontainebleau, Wintergreen, and Duxbury chamber music festivals. Outside of classical music, the gigging scene grants much opportunity for collaboration and expanded techniques – both in playing and arranging. Through the Tiny Desk series on NPR,Carol Anne has performed with alt-J, Billy Corgan, and Meg Myers. For the latter concert, she arranged parts for string quartet. Other artists Carol Anne has appeared with include Jenny Lewis at the Anthem, and Jump Little Children on the Oblivion tour. She has arranged string parts for the session work she does in studios around Austin and DC, as well as for weddings and events. Carol Anne’s principal teachers have included Kenneth Slowik, Evelyn Elsing, Dennis Parker, Michael Kannen, Greg Sauer, and Diana Ligeti.

Susanna Mendlow, a versatile performer, arranger, and educator, enjoys playing a variety of musical styles. She captivates audiences with original two-cello arrangements of classical, popular, and world music as one half of the semi-improvisational duo Cello, World. She also regularly premieres works in the classical sextet Kassia Music and served as the cellist for QuinTango for several years. As both a soloist and chamber musician, Susanna has performed extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Central and South America, and Central Asia. Recently, she earned performance grants from the District of Columbia Commission for the Arts as well as an Emergent Seed award for her composition “Variations on Avre Este Abajour,” written for Cello, World. Her solo album, which features her arrangement of Mendelssohn’s third violin sonata and works for solo cello by Julia Adolphe and Noam Faingold, has an anticipated release of later this year. Susanna holds degrees from Columbia University, Michigan State University, and SUNY Stony Brook. She currently teaches cello in her private studio and serves on faculty at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, MD.

Winter 2025 ASTA Certificate Advancement Program (ASTACAP)
2025-02-16
Winter 2025 ASTACAP Exams
Click here to register.

The Winter ASTACAP Exams will be held in person on Sunday, February 16th at Temple Beth Ami in Rockville, MD.
Registration Deadline: February 2, 2025
ASTA Certificate Advancement Program
The ASTA Certificate Advancement Program (ASTACAP) seeks to establish definite goals and awards for students of all levels through non-competitive examinations. Students are judged on technical and musical preparedness at specific levels (foundation – level 10) by an ASTA examiner of musical and pedagogical stature. A certificate of achievement is awarded for each level successfully completed. For more information and to download the ASTACAP Handbook from the National Office click HERE

2026 Jack Weaver Memorial Competition
2025-05-03
2026 Jack Weaver Memorial Competition
Violin, Viola and Cello
For students in grades 9-12, ages 14-19
Registration Deadline: Saturday, April 4, 2026
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
Location: Calvary Lutheran Church, 9545 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
NOTE: Parking on the grass next to the exit driveway is permitted, if needed.
Registration Fees: $75 for ASTA members, $100 for non-ASTA members
Competition Rules and Guidelines
Lists of Works by Women and BIPOC Composers
To register:

Make one online payment for all of your students. Click here to use Paypal. Note the confirmation number.
Register each student here. You will need your confirmation number as proof of payment.

Prizes: Each instrument category (violin, viola, and cello) has the following prizes available:
First prize: $500
Second prize: $400
Third prize: $300
Woman/BIPOC Composer Prize: $300 for the best performance of a work by a woman or BIPOC composer. This prize may be awarded in addition to, or separately from, one of the prizes above. NOTE: Playing a work by a woman or BIPOC composer is optional in this year’s competition; it is NOT required.
This competition is underwritten with a generous grant from The Violin House of Weaver in Bethesda, Maryland.

Spring 2026 ASTA Certificate Advancement Program (ASTACAP)
2026-04-26
Spring 2026 ASTACAP Exams
Register Here

The Winter ASTACAP Exams will be held in person on Sunday, April 26th at Temple Beth Ami in Rockville, MD.
Registration Deadline: April 5, 2026
ASTA Certificate Advancement Program
The ASTA Certificate Advancement Program (ASTACAP) seeks to establish definite goals and awards for students of all levels through non-competitive examinations. Students are judged on technical and musical preparedness at specific levels (foundation – level 10) by an ASTA examiner of musical and pedagogical stature. A certificate of achievement is awarded for each level successfully completed. For more information and to download the ASTACAP Handbook from the National Office click HERE

Winter 2026 ASTA Certificate Advancement Program (ASTACAP)
2026-03-08
Winter 2026 ASTACAP Exams
Register HERE

The Winter ASTACAP Exams will be held in person on Sunday, March 8th at Temple Beth Ami in Rockville, MD.
Registration Deadline: February 22, 2026
ASTA Certificate Advancement Program
The ASTA Certificate Advancement Program (ASTACAP) seeks to establish definite goals and awards for students of all levels through non-competitive examinations. Students are judged on technical and musical preparedness at specific levels (foundation – level 10) by an ASTA examiner of musical and pedagogical stature. A certificate of achievement is awarded for each level successfully completed. For more information and to download the ASTACAP Handbook from the National Office click HERE
