Congratulations to our past award recipients for their work in enhancing the string community within the state! MNASTA awards began in 1986 when Teacher of the Year and Outstanding Community Service awards were first presented. The following year, the Meritorious Orchestra Award was added to recognize on-going excellence in a school or youth orchestra program. In 1990, Outstanding String Educator was added to recognize significant achievements in school teaching. This award was renamed Master String Educator in 1997. In 1990 and 1991, two awards for individual accomplishments were presented, one named Teacher of the Year and one name Master Teacher. Since 1992, this award has been known as Master Teacher. MNSOA awarded Teacher of the Year from 1996-1997.
Beginning in 1998, MNSOTA has presented four annual awards: Master Teacher - Studio, Master Teacher - School Orchestra, Meritorious Orchestra Program, and Community Service Award.
2022 | Jim Bartsch - Mounds View Schools, Minnesota Youth Symphonies |
2021 | Jean (Rudy) Perrault - University of Minnesota-Duluth |
2020 | Kevin Martin - Robbinsdale Armstrong High School |
2019 | Lucas Shogren - Mounds View High School |
2018 | Ruth Lin - Gustavus Adolphus College |
2017 | Kent Musser - Stillwater Public Schools |
2016 | Michael Halstenson - Anoka High School |
2015 | Sandy Collins - Mounds View District Elementary Schools |
2014 | Dianne Brady - St. Cloud Area School District |
2013 | Matthew Oyen - St. Paul Central High School |
2012 | Val Buchmeier - Crookston and Woodbury Public Schools |
2011 | Julie Vanderstappen - Stillwater Public Schools |
2010 | Connie Aiken - Chippewa Middle School, Mounds View |
2009 | John Madura - Mounds View High School |
2008 | Ed Schaefle - Blaine High School |
2007 | Jennifer Arco - Owatonna Junior High School |
2006 | Linda Bell - Robbinsdale School District |
2005 | Deborah Sittko - Mounds View Schools |
2004 | Mark Gitch - Owatonna High School |
2003 | Lorie Hippen - Ramsey International Fine Arts School |
2002 | Brian Cole - Robert Asp School, Moorhead |
2001 | Gwen Armwood - Wayzata High School |
2000 | Elizabeth Deger - Stillwater Junior High School |
1999 | Steve Borgstrom - Osseo Area Schools, Park Center High School |
1998 | Diane Wright - Marshall Public Schools |
1998 | Pat Kelly - Ramsey International Fine Arts School |
1997 | Karen Olson - Robbinsdale School District |
1997 | Sandra Haines - Wayzata Public Schools |
1996 | Gerard Jones - Duluth East High School |
1996 | James Hainlen - Stillwater Public Schools |
1995 | Cheryl Paschke - Minneapolis Public Schools |
1994 | Barbara Lamb - Wayzata Public Schools |
1993 | Helen K. Loing - Wayzata Public Schools |
1992 | Kenneth Davenport - Anoka-Hennepin Public Schools |
1991 | Howard Evenson - Minneapolis School District, Student Symphonies of Greater Minneapolis Founder |
1990 | Arnold Krueger - Owatonna Public Schools |