American String Teachers Association (ASTA)

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.

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