ASTA Scholarships are awards funded by the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) and the Foundation for the Advancement of String Education (FASE) for early-career string teachers. The primary scholarship is the George Bornoff Memorial Scholarship, a $1,000 award given annually to a full-time school orchestra teacher in their first eight years of string teaching to attend the ASTA National Conference.
How ASTA Scholarships Work
ASTA is a professional organization for string teachers, players, and students in the United States. It offers awards and recognition across several categories, including recognition awards, nomination-based awards, state chapter awards, and student chapter awards. The scholarship program is administered in conjunction with FASE, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that promotes string education pedagogy.
George Bornoff Memorial Scholarship
This is the main scholarship program. Key details for the 2027 cycle:
- Award amount: $1,000 to attend the 2027 ASTA National Conference in Chicago, IL
- Deadline: October 1, 2026
- Winner announced: Early November 2026
- Eligibility: Full-time school orchestra teachers in their first 8 years of string teaching who hold a current ASTA membership
- Application requirements: A 300-word essay on string teaching approaches, a current resume, and one letter of recommendation
Special consideration is given to applicants who teach traditionally underserved populations or who demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Additional ASTA Awards
ASTA also administers several recognition and professional awards, though these are not cash scholarships:
- Elizabeth A. H. Green School Educator Award: Recognizes outstanding school string educators
- String Research Awards: Given for long-term achievement and early-career research in string pedagogy
- Artist Teacher Award, Distinguished Service Award, Paul Rolland Lifetime Achievement Award: Recognition awards given periodically at the discretion of the ASTA Board
- State and Student Chapter Awards: Recognize outstanding ASTA chapters at the state and university levels
Real-World Example
Amanda Conrade, Orchestra Director at Fort Riley Middle School in Kansas, received the 2026 George Bornoff Memorial Scholarship. She teaches 6th through 8th grade orchestras at a school serving a transient military population. Her award covered costs to attend the 2026 ASTA National Conference. As a recipient, she was required to write a 500-word article for the American String Teacher journal about what she learned at the conference.
Previous winners include Melody Holliday (2025, Kansas City, MO), Megan Gerbrandt (2024, Overland Park, KS), and Margaret Chan (2023, Somers, NY). The scholarship has been awarded continuously since at least 2012.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
If you are a string teacher in your first eight years of teaching, the George Bornoff Memorial Scholarship is one of the few awards specifically designed for working educators rather than students. The $1,000 covers conference registration and travel expenses, which can otherwise cost $1,500 to $2,500 out of pocket.
To apply, you need an active ASTA membership. ASTA offers a reduced rate for New Professional Memberships, which makes joining more affordable for early-career teachers. Prepare your essay and gather your recommendation letter well before the October 1 deadline.
Even if you do not qualify for the Bornoff Scholarship, ASTA membership itself provides access to professional development grants, state chapter funding, and networking opportunities that can lead to other funding sources.
Eligibility Criteria
George Bornoff Memorial Scholarship
- Who can apply: Full-time school orchestra teachers in their first 8 years of string teaching.
- Membership: Must hold a current ASTA membership at the time of application.
- Instruments: Open to teachers of violin, viola, cello, bass, harp, and guitar.
- Geography: Open to teachers in the United States.
- Education level: Must be employed as a full-time school orchestra teacher (not a student or university faculty member).
- Special consideration: Given to applicants who teach traditionally underserved populations or who demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Additional ASTA Awards (non-cash recognition)
- Elizabeth A. H. Green School Educator Award: Open to outstanding school string educators. Nomination-based.
- String Research Awards: Open to researchers with long-term achievement or early-career research in string pedagogy.
- Artist Teacher Award, Distinguished Service Award, Paul Rolland Lifetime Achievement Award: Given periodically at the discretion of the ASTA Board.
- State and Student Chapter Awards: Open to active ASTA chapters at the state and university levels.
Deadlines and Application Timeline
- George Bornoff Memorial Scholarship (2027 cycle): Application deadline is October 1, 2026. Winner announced in early November 2026. The award supports attendance at the 2027 ASTA National Conference in Chicago, IL.
- ASTA National Conference 2027: Takes place in Chicago, IL. Conference dates are typically announced 12 months in advance.
- Recognition awards: Nominations are typically due in the fall. Check astastrings.org for specific dates.
- State chapter awards: Deadlines vary by state chapter. Contact your state chapter directly for details.
Past Recipients
George Bornoff Memorial Scholarship
| Year | Recipient | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Amanda Conrade | Fort Riley Middle School, Kansas |
| 2025 | Melody Holliday | Kansas City, MO |
| 2024 | Megan Gerbrandt | Overland Park, KS |
| 2023 | Margaret Chan | Somers, NY |
The scholarship has been awarded continuously since at least 2012. Recipients are required to write a 500-word article for the American String Teacher journal about what they learned at the conference.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Join or renew ASTA membership: Purchase or renew your membership at astastrings.org. New Professional Memberships are available at a reduced rate for early-career teachers.
- Confirm eligibility: Verify that you are a full-time school orchestra teacher in your first 8 years of string teaching.
- Write the essay: Prepare a 300-word essay on your string teaching approaches. Focus on your pedagogical methods and classroom impact.
- Update your resume: Prepare a current resume highlighting your teaching experience, education, and professional activities.
- Request a recommendation letter: Ask one person qualified to assess your teaching to write a letter of recommendation. Give them at least 3 weeks notice.
- Submit by October 1: Upload your essay, resume, and recommendation letter through the ASTA website. Late submissions are not accepted.
- Await notification: The winner is announced in early November. If selected, prepare to attend the national conference and write the required journal article.
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Related Opportunities
- Berklee World Tour Scholarships for international students auditioning for Berklee
- Music Scholarships Directory for the full list of funding opportunities
- Music Schools Directory to find string programs at accredited institutions
- Streaming Royalty Calculator to estimate your earnings as a working musician
- Visit the ASTA Awards and Recognition page for official details and application forms
