Sphinx Organization wins inaugural ASTA Outstanding Service Organization Award

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On 16 March at the American String Teachers Association’s (ASTA) National Conference’s opening ceremony in Orlando, Florida, the Sphinx Organization won the inaugural Outstanding Service Organization Award. Karin S. Hendricks, ASTA’s president elect, who presented the award, explained that the award went to an ’organisation that strengthens our profession and shares our vision for string education, teaching and learning.’ 

The Sphinx Organization’s director of education, Ana Abrantes, accepted the award on behalf of the organisation. In her speech, she said: ’We’re incredibly honoured to receive this inaugural award. We are based in Detroit but have a national reach, and envision a day where the face of classical music reflects our communities, and we dream that every kid will have the opportunity to express themselves through music.’

Abrantes went on to explain the organisation’s several programmes, including free music lessons in partenered schools in Michigan, its flagship competition, and summer academies. She finished her speech by thanking ASTA for ‘helping Sphinx to continue our mission in transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts.’ 

The ASTA opening ceremony also included awards such as the Paul Rolland Lifetime Achievement Award, given posthumously to Dr Michael Allen; the Artist Teacher Award, which went to fiddler Darol Anger; and the Marvin J. Rabin Community Service Award, given to Laurie P. Scott. The conference, which runs from 16–18 March, includes a vast selection of talks and lectures by teachers from across America, as well as performances by school orchestras and distinguished players.

If you are attending the conference, you can visit The Strad at booth 118

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