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 | Neil Trainor - Dolliff Insurance |
2021 | Suzanne Block - Youth Advantage Program, Stillwater |
2020 | Monticello Community Strings Orchestra - directed by Kara Mather, Rachel Vannett, and Michelle Schettler-Stein |
2019 | All Strings Attached |
2018 | Steven Eckblad and Beverly Williams - St. Cloud |
2017 | Deborah Sittko - MNSOTA leadership |
2016 | Kristine Wiese - MNSOTA Honors Orchestra leadership |
2015 | David Arnott - Director, Upper Midwest String Camp |
2014 | Claire Givens Violins |
2013 | Kerri LeJeune - accompanist |
2012 | Stella Anderson - MNSOTA leadership |
2011 | Carl Anderson - Minneapolis Schools instrument repair |
2010 | Amir Kats - GTCYS Artistic Director |
2009 | Michael Watson - MNSOTA website |
2008 | Doug Geston - Westmark Productions recordings |
2007 | Faith Farr - MNSOTA String Notes editor |
2006 | Tom Nelson - Superintendant of SoWashCo district |
2005 | Jim Bartsch - Minnesota Orchestra Director of Education |
2004 | Julie Guerber - MNSOTA leadership |
2003 | Susan Garrelts - accompanist |
2002 | MacPhail Center for Music - Outreach Programs |
2001 | Harry Dunscombe - Director, Upper Midwest String and Chamber Music Conference |
2000 | John Farr - layout and graphic design for String Notes |
1999 | House of Note |
1998 | Gary Alan Wood - Minnesota Orchestra Education Outreach |
1998 | Minnesota Sinfonia - Jay Fishman conductor |
1997 | Richard Zgodava - accompanist |
1996 | Thelma Johnson - accompanist |
1993 | Norman Selness - Upper Midwest String and Chamber Music Conference founder, private teacher |
1992 | Playing (less) Hurt Conference - Janet Horvath director |
1991 | Minnesota Youth Symphonies - Claudette and Manny Laureano, co-music directors |
1990 | Clifford Brunzell - Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra member, Hopkins High School Orchestra founder, Golden Strings founder/leader, Jazz Quartet leader |
1989 | Richard Massman - UM professor and String Task Force chair |
1988 | James Berg - Robbinsdale Public Schools and GTCYS |
1987 | Schmitt Music Company |
1986 | Orchestra Fellowship Program - administered by Susan Vaughan through the MNDoE |