The Strings team hit the Exhibit Hall floor running at the American String Teachers Association conference this past week. Held in Tampa, Florida, at the bayside Tampa Convention Center, the week-long conference offered up new instruments, products, impromptu jam sessions, string-related teaching-and-learning sessions, master classes, and the National Orchestra Festival competition.
Take a peek at some of our highlights in the slideshow above, including concerts featuring Rachel Barton Pine, Jeremy Kittel, Darol Anger, Hanneke Cassel, cellist Mike Block, and more. To view concert videos, head over to our Instagram or Facebook page.
“This isn’t even the big one,” said a few of the members of the Charleston School for the Arts, the winners of the National Orchestra Festival.
All about that cake: Strings senior editor Greg Olwell and sales director Cindi Olwell pose with a violin-shaped cake in front of our exhibit floor booth.
German carbon-fiber violin maker Mezzo-Forte showed off a few of its carbon-fiber instruments.
Half-size Violin? Beau Vinci Violin had this cutaway violin of display. It’s always so cool to see inside of a fiddle. [Do not try this at home!]
For the featured concert this year, the Jeremy Kittel Band took over the stage in one of the convention center’s ballrooms.
It’s not all fun and games at ASTA. Senior editor (and bassist) Greg Olwell at the D’Addario booth.
Mark and Maggie O’Connor fiddling around the violin cake.
Hello, Twinkle Bow! A 10-inch bow used as a teaching tool for violin, viola, and cello.
(Photos by Stephanie Powell and Greg Olwell)