Mahalo ASTA: I'm a 2027 Community Catalyst Scholar!
Aloha MSFS families and friends!
It has been an absolutely banner year for Maui School for Strings and it's philanthropic arm Maui Community Orchestra, nominations for best music studio, best local music group, and a nomination followed by a win for Mayor's Small Business of the Year. I have more exciting news to share. I have been selected for a 2027 Community Catalyst Scholarship from the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). ASTA chose a cohort of 24 educators representing 17 states, and I am honored to be part of this inaugural group.
What is the Community Catalyst Scholarship?
ASTA is where many string teachers discover new teaching ideas, build lasting friendships with colleagues, and find mentors. While attending Eastern Michigan University I served as the vice president and president of the student chapter of ASTA. The chapter was able to raise funds through concerts and "piano samshes" to take the entire chapter to attend the national conference in Nashville and it felt like I had finally found my home. Being surrounded by some of the best minds in string education that our country had to offer was such an inspiration. I learned so much and I can't wait to go back and learn again.
Unfortunately, cost, family obligations, and a lack of administrative support often keep a lot of teachers from taking part. The Community Catalyst Scholarship was created to lower those barriers so more teachers can experience the professional growth, mentorship, and community that help careers flourish, whatever their teaching setting or career stage.
What the scholarship includes
Recipients receive registration for the 2027 ASTA National Conference in Chicago, February 24 to 27, 2027, registration for one pre-conference workshop, and three nights of hotel accommodations. The scholarship also covers registration for the Virtual String Teachers Summit on July 12 and 13, 2027, participation in the ASTA Mentor Program, and membership in a year-long Community Catalyst Cohort that begins with a virtual meeting in January.
Why this means so much to me
I believe humanity works best when we work together and learn from one another. That belief is why I bring other teachers under the MSFS umbrella, and why the conductors of the Maui Community Orchestra observe each other and share feedback. Spending a year alongside a cohort of teachers from around the country, with a mentor to guide me, is exactly that idea in action.
Maui is a long way from Chicago, and travel and meals are not part of the scholarship, so this support makes the trip possible. I look forward to bringing what I learn back to our MSFS students and teachers, and to our wider Maui music community.
Help another teacher get there
The scholarship is funded by gifts from the string teaching community, and every gift, regardless of size, helps remove barriers for another teacher. $1,000 funds one full scholarship experience. If you would like to help, you can donate to the scholarship fund or learn more about the program.
Mahalo nui loa to ASTA and the Community Catalyst Committee for championing this project, and to all of you for supporting MSFS. I can't wait to share what I learn!
Roy Binder
Maui School for Strings
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