KASTA Middle School Summer Orchestra
Have students participate in the
2026 KASTA Middle School Summer Orchestra at Lawrence High School
while you attend the
2026 KASTA Summer Teacher Workshop!
Guest Clinician: Dr. Ruben Balboa
Friday, July 31st, 2026
( Registration Deadline: July 15th, 2026)
Cost: $25 per student
Payment may be made online ahead of time on PayPal (link below)
or at the event with cash or check.
Checks made out to: American String Teachers Assoc., Kansas Unit.
Guidelines:
Parents are responsible for supervising/arranging student transportation and lunches
Students should be capable of performing Grade 2 repertoire
Students must familiarize themselves with the sheet music and recordings beforehand (literature will be posted here on the website)
Students should bring an instrument, shoulderpad/rockstop, rosin, water bottle, snack, pencil
Rehearsal Schedule
Friday, July 31st, 2026
9:00-10:30 AM, Rehearsal
10:45 AM-12:00 PM, Rehearsal
12:00-1:30 PM, Lunch (on your own)
1:30- 2:45 PM, Rehearsal
3:00 PM, Dress rehearsal
4:00 PM, Concert for parents
DR. RUBEN BALBOA
2026 KASTA MS Summer Orchestra Clinician
Dr. Ruben Balboa is a violist, conductor, and educator recognized by the American Viola Society as both an Emerging Artist (2021) and Emerging Teacher (2022). He serves as Assistant Professor of Viola and String Music Education at Wichita State University, where he teaches applied lessons, string pedagogy, and string rehearsal methods.
He has held faculty appointments at The University of Texas at Austin, Illinois State University, Texas State University, and Southwestern University. At UT Austin, he served as Lecturer of Viola and Assistant Director of the UT String Project, where he led curriculum design, faculty development, and pedagogy training for students from the undergraduate through doctoral levels. He has conducted university orchestras, youth orchestras, and All-Region ensembles.
His work spans university instruction, youth orchestras, community music programs, and regional honor ensembles. He has taught in programs including the Illinois State String Project, Austin Youth Orchestra, Austin Chamber Music Center, Wichita Symphony Youth Orchestras, Longhorn String Camp, and Music On Site. Students under his guidance have gone on to graduate study, professional performing careers, teaching positions, All-State ensembles, and leadership roles in youth orchestras.
As a performer, Dr. Balboa maintains an active career as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral performer, and collaborative artist. His ensemble was awarded Grand Prize at the Coltman Chamber Music Competition, and his performances span classical, opera, contemporary, and crossover styles. He is also committed to expanding the viola repertoire through collaborations with living composers and performances of both new and lesser-known works.
Balboa contributes to the field through presentations at the American String Teachers Association National Conference, the International Viola Congress, and the National String Project Consortium. He serves on the Board of the American Viola Society and is delighted to work with students and teachers at the Kansas ASTA Summer Conference. He frequently performs in recital with his wife, soprano Dr. Samantha Balboa, in programs for voice, viola, and piano.
