Explore photos and read a short round-up of The Strad’s visit to San Francisco for the 2026 ASTA National Conference
Three members of The Strad’s Team attended the 2026 American String Teacher Association (ASTA) National Conference from 25–28 February: advertising manager Mariette King, online editor Davina Shum and staff writer Rita Fernandes. We had a fantastic time, filled with incredible performances, meeting The Strad readers, attending fascinating talks, and visiting San Francisco’s myriad sights.
On the editorial side, Davina and Rita attended numerous talks from experts in the string-teaching industry. Each morning of the conference kicked off with a motivating keynote; we heard from Alex Laing from Gateways Music Festival, Tina Tallon, assistant professor of Artificial Intelligence and Music Composition at The Ohio State University, and disabilities specialist Alice Hammel. Each speaker shared perspectives on putting inclusivity at the centre of music‑making in relation to their respective areas of expertise.
We attended back-to-back talks on topics addressing bow hold techniques, vibrato and shifting concerns, incorporating music by women composers into teaching curricula, dealing with imposter syndrome, and navigating a sustainable career path for string players, among others. It was great to meet so many dedicated teachers and artists, many of whom we can’t wait to feature more in future Strad editorial content.
Additionally, seeing so many young string orchestras from around the country filled us with optimism about the future of music‑making. The lobby of the San Francisco Hilton was constantly buzzing with young string players excitedly gathering for their next rehearsals and performances.
At our booth in the exhibit hall, we loved meeting many Strad readers. We handed out complimentary February 2026 issues, plus our Degrees and String Courses 2026 supplements – we were very heartened to hear how useful these resources were from both teachers and prospective students. Our literature was bundled up in our ever-popular tote bags, which we hope will come in handy for those lucky enough to get their hands on one!
The team attended a lively jam session on the Friday evening, organised by title sponsor D’Addario and led by Christian Howes. This incredible R&B, jazz, multi-style performance featuring the world’s leading string improvisers was a particular performance highlight.
In between events, the team had the chance to check out the vibrant city of San Francisco. We saw the ferry building and marvelled at the chilling history of Alcatraz. Plus, we experienced the city’s broad spectrum of transport options, from the historic cable cars and streetcars, to the futuristic driverless Waymo cabs – and yes, we survived to tell the tale!
Check out our Instagram reel from the conference below.
We can’t wait for next year - see you in Chicago!
Photo credits: Rita Fernandes and Davina Shum
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