VASTA is the Virginia Chapter of the American String Teachers Association. We are dedicated to the promotion, education, and performance of the violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, and harp. Our membership consists of private and public school teachers, professional performers, amateurs, and university students and teachers.  Come discover within these pages how really great string teaching is active and thriving in Virginia!  To join our community, please visit astaweb.com/membership.htm

The Violin Society of America is an organization of people interested in the Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass and their Bows and the making, restoring, playing, history, acoustics, buying/selling and collecting of these instruments

The Balalaika and Domra Association of America (BDAA) was formed in 1978 by three musicians interested in the study and performance of Russian and Eastern European music on the traditional folk instruments of Russia -- the balalaika, domra, bayan (Russian accordion) and related folk wind and folk percussion instruments. Membership in the BDAA is open to anyone, musician or not, who shares an interest in the fascinating music and cultural history associated with Russian folk instruments.

Our mission is to provide a forum for performers, teachers, and amateurs at the International Viola Congresses; giving students the exposure and experience to compete at the prestigious Primrose International Viola Competition, and producing publications such as our exceptional Journal of the American Viola Society. This array of activities inspires our members to participate in the future of their instrument and allows them pride in the knowledge that they are part of the only organization of this magnitude currently in existence in the world.

Our mission is to provide a forum for performers, teachers, and amateurs at the International Viola Congresses; giving students the exposure and experience to compete at the prestigious Primrose International Viola Competition, and producing publications such as our exceptional Journal of the American Viola Society. This array of activities inspires our members to participate in the future of their instrument and allows them pride in the knowledge that they are part of the only organization of this magnitude currently in existence in the world.

The Guild of American Luthiers is a non-profit educational membership organization whose purpose is to facilitate learning about the art,craft and science of lutherie. Started by a group of budding craftsmen in 1972, the Guild has grown to become a driving force in the current "Golden Age" of lutherie through it's constant commitment to a free exchange of information among luthiers of all areas and experience levels.

The Catgut Acoustical Society brings together researchers in musical acoustics, violin makers, composers, string players, and lovers of the music they make. One of our primary interests is the application of scientific principles to the construction of instruments in the violin family.

In October 1989, the renowned luthier William Hu( Chinese name Xueping Hu) established the Snow Workshop in Beijing, China with six workers, to produce hand-crafted string instruments. Nine years later, Snow Stringed Instruments, Inc was born in New York. William’s brother, Jack Hu expanded Snow into an international wholesale business specializing in quality violins, violas, cellos, and basses only produced from Snow workshop. David Rapkievian is a retailer of Snow Stringed Instruments.

Alexander Mitchell is teaching locally at Boe's Strings in Frederick, MD. Along with freelancing with many DC/Baltimore musicians, Alex is also booking his own events which include weddings, corporate events, private parties and local coffee houses. Alex has done a national tour of Woodie Guthrie's American Song with the Missouri Repertory Theatre, appeared in Ted Turner's movie, "Gettysburg", as well as music for the sound track and numerous other stage and theatrical productions. Locally he has played the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center, Lisner Auditorium for the "Revels", the Birchmere and hundreds of other performances for restaurants, weddings, dances, wine tastings, picnics and family gatherings.

Kathryn Plummer, violist, is widely recognized for her recital artistry throughout the United States and Europe. Ms. Plummer is a Professor of Viola and a member of the String Department at the Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University and was an associate professor at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Oberlin College. In 1992, she was featured in "The Contribution of Women to the Art of Viola Performance in the 20th Century" as part of a national conference held at Western Kentucky University.
 

Jim and Inge Wood perform primarily as a duo and present and eclectic mixture of folk and fiddle music that reflects their diverse backgrounds. Jim, the five-time Tennessee Fiddle Champion and twenty-eight year veteran of the professional Nashville music scene, performs on fiddle, mandolin, banjo, and guitar with the highlight being virtuoso fiddling in the contest, old-time, Celtic, and swing styles. Inge, a native of Costa Rica, performs on guitar, bouzouki, and fiddle, and sings a wide range of both original and traditional folk songs in English and Spanish. Jim and Inge are also very committed to helping others to learn and offer a wide array of educational tools; so, peruse our website to see how we can help you.
 

Robert Sorel is a leading violin instructor in the Washington, D.C. area, an accomplished solo recitalist and sought after freelance performer. In 2007 Robert became the proud owner of one of David's violins, the Guarneri model completed in December of 2006 which he performs on regularly. Click to read more  

Mike Morgan created the fine photos of David at work. Mr. Morgan's passion is creating memorable portraits and images to show the heroism, vulnerability or humor that each of his subjects embody. His clients are looking for a photographer who can bring a fresh and creative look to their publication, pictures with an edge.

David Chester of DTS Photography created the fine photos of David's violins. David, one of the founders of DTS Photography, brings passion and creativity to his subjects.