"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. Session 3 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
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
Session II
Session III
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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 completing 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. Before serving as Camp Director Ms. Mihalko served as Assistant Director of MASTA String Camps, and was also a counselor at the MASTA String Camps. This is Ms. Mihalko's 9th year with the MASTA String Camps. When not teaching or working at camp, Mrs. Mihalko enjoys spending time with her husband and baby girl, 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.