"My favorite thing from MASTA has to be the life long friends I've made, the music I've played along with all the amazing experiences I've had there. It's a camp full of musicians, with staff that makes you feel at home what isn't there to love about that?" Jordan W.

Camp Staff


Counselors
Counselors at MASTA String Camps are music majors at various universities in Michigan or are professional music educators from public and private schools in the state. All counselors are professional string musicians who specialize in classical music, as well as fiddling, jazz, and other alternative styles. There are one or two counselors per cabin, dependent on cabin size, who are trained to handle camp related issues and to ensure that all campers have a safe and enjoyable experience. If you have any questions, concerns, or anything counselors should be aware of, feel free to speak to your child's counselor when you arrive at your child's cabin on registration day.

In Sessions I & II Counselors lead the small rote ensembles that students participate in outside of orchestra rehearsal. They also lead sectionals and participate in all camp activities with campers.

During Session III counselors lead chamber groups, organize social activities within the cabin, participate in all recreation activities with campers, and assist during orchestra rehearsals.

Coaches
During Session III there are coaches whose responsibilities are to lead sectional rehearsals as well as chamber groups. Sectional coaches are professional musicians and music educators in the state of Michigan.

Violin Coaches
  • Lauren Hansen
  • Nyssa Rabinowitz
Viola Coaches
  • Sean Brennan
  • Jim Van Eizenga
Cello Coaches
  • Julia Knowles
Bass Coach
  • TBA
Music Directors
Music Directors at all sessions are leading music educators in the state of Michigan. They lead orchestra rehearsals and participate in various activities with campers during each session.

Session I
  • Carol Johnson
Carol Johnson is Director of Orchestras at Jenison Junior High. She earned her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music Education from Michigan State University, majoring on piano and violin. She has experience as the Music Director at MASTA String Camps, Conductor at the MSBOA Middle Level String Clinics, and Co-director of the St. Cecelia Youth Sinfonia. Mrs. Johnson has also been a featured clinician at the Michigan Music Conference and at many area schools. She has been a violinist with the West Michigan Symphony Orchestra, and is one of the founding members of the Signature String Quartet.
  • Becky Bush
Mrs. Bush is String Acquisition Editor at Alfred Music Publishing, Adjunct Professor of Music Education at Grand Valley State University, conducts the St. Cecilia Concert Orchestra, and was the founder and director of the Hudsonville Public Schools orchestra program from 2001 to 2006. A graduate of the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Music Education and of Grand Valley State University with a Masters of Education, she performs as a violist with the Signature String Quartet. She has taught at Calvin College, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, the MASTA String Camps, has presented at The Midwest Clinic, and has been a guest conductor throughout Michigan both in classical music and fiddling.


Session II
  • Nina White
Nina White teaches at Smart Middle School in Walled Lake Public Schools. She is currently teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Orchestra. Nina White’s educational background includes both a bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Hampton University. In Mrs. White’s spare time, she enjoys reading and shopping.
  • TBA

​Session III
  • Alan MacNair
Alan MacNair taught for 30 years at Troy High School and is currently teaching at Oakland University. He is a member of the Oakland Symphony Orchestra, and has been clinician in Michigan and Mid-west region. Most recently, Mr. MacNair was the recipient of the Elizabeth Green Award for National String Teacher of the Year from the American String Teachers Association.

Mrs. Caitlin Mihalko, Camp Director

Ms. Mihalko is Orchestra Director in Farmington Public Schools at East Middle School. She graduated from Michigan State University with her Bachelors in Music Education and is currently working on her Masters in Music Education from the University of Michigan. Mrs. Mihalko is an active member of both the Michigan Chapter of the American String Teachers Association (MASTA) and the Michigan School Band & Orchestra Association (MSBOA). Mrs. Mihalko is a cellist and runs a private studio from her home. Mrs. Mihalko conducts a youth Orchestra at the Community Music School of Ann Arbor. She has also been a guest clinician at several school districts in southeast Michigan and in Ohio. This is Mrs. Mihalko's third year as Camp Director. She has served as Assistant Director of MASTA String Camps for three years, and was a counselor at the MASTA String Camps for two years.  When not teaching or working at camp, Mrs. Mihalko enjoys spending time with her husband, family, friends, her dog Sasha, her two cats Archer & Buttercup, riding her bike, horseback riding, reading, and just enjoying life!

Mr. Ted McDonald, Assistant Director

Mr. McDonald is Orchestra Director at Walled Lake Western High School. He received his Bachelors in Music Education from Wayne State University and is currently working on a Masters in Music Education from the University of Michigan. Mr. McDonald is an active member of the Michigan School Band & Orchestra Association as well as the Michigan Chapter of the American String Teacher’s Association. Mr. McDonald is a cellist and also an accomplished pianist. This is Mr. McDonald's third year as Assistant Director of the MASTA String camps. For many years he has been a counselor, and even attended the camps as a camper. In his spare time, Mr. McDonald enjoys sitting down with a good book, arranging music, watching TV on DVD with his wife Genevieve, or playing with his cat, Maggie.