Andrea Houde, an associate professor of viola at the West Virginia University School of Music, is one of two viola instructors invited to be masterclass clinicians for the 2025 American String Teachers Association National Conference.
The conference, which takes place March 19-22 in Atlanta, Georgia, brings together string and orchestra instructors and students from across the United States.
“I have been a member of ASTA since I was a freshman in college and have been attending these conferences for many years,” Houde said. “During that time, I have seen so many of my idols give incredible masterclasses, never thinking that one day I might be invited myself. I consider this invitation to be one of the greatest honors of my career. Plus, the class is on my birthday, so it will be a wonderful birthday present!”
During her masterclass, Houde will work one-on-one with a student in front of an audience of attendees.
“The best masterclasses create a fun and collaborative experience for both the student and the audience,” Houde said. “As a clinician, my goal is to achieve as many big fireworks or ‘Ah-ha!’ moments with the student that make the audience say, ‘Wow!’ Then, it is my hope that everyone goes home and tries those ideas in their practice rooms.”
Houde has experience working with musicians from around the world. She studied at the University of Memphis and Peabody Conservatory before joining the WVU School of Music. She has previously given masterclasses at several universities and has taught as part of the faculty at the University of Delaware, Orfeo Music Festival in Italy, the Endless Mountain Music Festival, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, the WVU String Chamber Music Intensive and the Master Players Festival.
“Each time I attend an ASTA conference, I most look forward to catching up with so many friends and colleagues from across the country and to learning something new to bring home to my students at WVU,” Houde said.
Houde is the advisor of WVU’s student chapter of ASTA, which works to support West Virginia string educators and students and enhance the visibility of string education in the state. For more information, visit https://wv-asta.weebly.com/.
For more information on the School of Music, visit music.wvu.edu.