KASTA Awards
Celebrating Kansas’s Strings Teachers
KASTA Hall of Fame
The KASTA Hall of Fame is a lifetime achievement award in recognition of outstanding contributions to string music education. Recipients of this award should have clearly demonstrated selfless devotion, outstanding service, and a long-term commitment to the cause of string teaching and building of string programs in the state of Kansas and/or the United States. Recipients must be a current member of KASTA. This is the highest award given by KASTA and it is awarded to one individual annually.
To nominate a deserving educator complete the Award Nomination Form. Nominations must be received by December 31 each year to be eligible for the following year. Nominations are open all year. Nominations received after December 31 will be held for the following year.
HALL OF FAME AWARD RECIPIENTS
2024 - Dr. Catherine Consiglio
2023 - Dr. Cora Cooper
2021 – Martha Barnhill
2018 – Dr. David Littrell
2017 – Stephen Phalp
2016 – Cheryl Lundberg
2015 – Karen Puckett
2014 – Michael Harbaugh
2013 – Rebecca Meis
2012 – Nancy Luttrell
2008 – Friz Kramer
2007 – Alice Joy Lewis
2004 – Mary Lou Jones
2003 – Janice Hupp
2002 – Larry Williams
2000 – Janet Elliott
1999 – Jay Decker
1998 – James J. Caesar
1997 – Larry Harris
1996 – Gerald Kiger
1995 – James Starr
1994 – Beatrice Pease
1993 – C. Eldon Lipp
1992 – Ross Williams
1991 – Norma Jean Seaton
1990 – Raymond Stuhl
1989 – Warren Walker
1988 – Edwin Moyers
1987 – Everett Fetter
1986 – Jacquelyn Dillon
KASTA Hall of Fame Award Nomination Form
KASTA Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award is given for outstanding contributions to the cause of string education in the state of Kansas. Candidates for such an award may include retail music dealers, instrument repair persons, school administrators or supervisors, state music administrators, public school and college officials, composers, orchestra conductors, and others whose support of string education has been exemplary. The winner of this award need not necessarily be a member of KASTA. One award can be given annually.
Nominations must be received by December 31 each year to be eligible for the following year. Nominations are open all year. Nominations received after December 31 will be held for the following year.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS
2024 - J.J. Hanson of Beautiful Music
2023 - Anton Krutz of KC Strings
2022 - Allison Harbaugh
2021 – Adrienne Allen
2020 – Dr. Cora Cooper
2017 – Amos Hargrave
2016 – Meyer Music
2013 – Bob Woellpel
2009 – Cheryl Lundberg, Laura Carpenter
2008 – Senseney Music
2000 – Kenneth K. Beckmann
1999 – Garrison Music of Emporia
1994 – Simon McHugh
KASTA Distinguished Service Award Nomination Form
Certificate of Merit
The Certificate of Merit is given annually to outstanding string educators whose positive efforts and influence in our field reach beyond the domain of their given job description and benefit the profession or musical growth of other teachers and/or students in the state of Kansas. Such individuals exhibit high standards and have made contributions that are worthy of special recognition. The Certificate of Merit award honors currently active private, public school, or college teachers who are current members of KASTA. As many as three certificates may be awarded annually.
Nominations must be received by December 31 each year to be eligible for the following year. Nominations are open all year. Nominations received after December 31 will be held for the following year.
CERTIFICATE OF MERIT RECIPIENTS
2024 - Joan Crull
2023 - Henry Littich
2021 – Dr. Mark Laycock
2017 – Dr. Cora Cooper
2016 – Frances Oare
2015 – Martha Barnhill
2014 – Rachel Dirks
2013 – Matt Means
2012 – Laura Carpenter
2008 – Rachel Dirks
2007 – Ted Avara
2002 – Dan Delisi
2001 – Lynnita Harris, Cheryl Meyer
2000 – Elizabeth Carroll, Susan Higbee, Michael Harbaugh
1999 – Mary Lou Jones
1997 – WSU Fairmount String Quartet
1995 – Larry Harris
1994 – Janet & Lee Elliott, David Littrell, Julian Shew
KASTA Certificate of Merit Nomination Form
Young Teacher
of the Year
The Young Teacher of the Year Award can be given yearly to an outstanding new member of the string teaching profession in recognition of meritorious service and outstanding promise in string and orchestra education. The winner of the award must be a current member of KASTA and must be actively teaching at the time of the award. The teacher must have completed from 1 to 7 years of string teaching and must demonstrate exceptional dedication to teaching and involvement in professional activities.
Nominations must be received by December 31 each year to be eligible for the following year. Nominations are open all year. Nominations received after December 31 will be held for the following year.
YOUNG TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENTS
2024 - Dan McCready
2023 - Panya Amphone
2021 – Tyler Harvey
2020 – Haley Rotenberger
2016 – Mariah Barnett
2015 – Erica Brooks
2014 – Catherine Tummons
2013 – Chris Lovell
2012 – Cody Toll
2011 – Rebecca Tast
2010 – Lindsay Ladman
2009 – Shelly Duell
KASTA Young Teacher of the Year Nomination Form
Outstanding
Private Studio Teacher
The Outstanding Private Studio Teacher Award is a prestigious recognition that celebrates exceptional private studio teachers who have made significant contributions to the advancement of string instrument education in the state of Kansas. It is awarded to one qualified recipient per year. The recipient must be a member of KASTA. Nominees should demonstrate excellence in teaching, student success, musical proficiency, and community leadership in the field of string education.
To nominate a deserving private string teacher, complete the Award Nomination Form. Nominations must be received by December 31 each year to be eligible for the following year. Nominations are open all year. Nominations received after December 31 will be held for the following year.
OUTSTANDING PRIVATE STUDENT TEACHER AWARD RECIPIENTS
2024 - Besty Wright