2021 Private String Teacher Retreat


The First Annual CASTA Private Teacher Retreat a Terrific Success!

The first beautiful snowflakes of winter welcomed members of Colorado’s Private String Teacher Roundtable group to Keystone Colorado, where we shared knowledge, ideas, inspiration, and great music together. Our first ever CASTA Private Teacher Retreat enticed many of Colorado’s string teachers from their individual studios on October 8-10, 2021.

A beautiful private home in Keystone was the perfect setting for this first-ever event. Presentations ranged from practical teaching ideas given by PTR Chair Philip Ficsor and Guest Clinician, Joel Schut from CU Boulder; excellent ideas for working with our adult students presented by William Hinkie and Lindsay Genedek and two sessions on self- and student-care presented by our special guest, Feldenkrais Master Clinician, Andrew Tarr. We even had an amazing display of stringed instruments and bows to try, sponsored by Chris Luther of Luther Strings, Denver.

As important as our clinicians were, we equally enjoyed both organized and informal sharing of ideas, the beautiful Rocky Mountains and great food and company shared by new and old friends. A highlight of the retreat was nightly chamber music reading sessions – how important is sleep when you can play the music of Mozart, Ravel, Mendelssohn and more with colleagues? 

Special thanks to the core members of the CASTA Private Teacher Roundtable for putting this fantastic event together. How can you get involved with the CASTA Private Teacher Roundtable and next year’s retreat? Links to the twice-monthly Friday meetings are sent to the entire CASTA membership by our state president, usually a day or two before the meeting. CASTA PTR meetings are open to all private string teachers and topics vary based on suggestions from the group. If you aren’t getting those emails, please let Loni Obluda know at: ColoradoASTAPresident@gmail.com

Please enjoy some pictures of our event!