"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

• Joe Alcocer, is currently a graduate student at the School of Music and Dance at Eastern Michigan University. Originally from Texas, Joseph holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Violin Performance from Huston-Tillotson University and majored in Music Education at Texas State University. Mr. Alcocer currently teaches strings in the Brighton school district. For more information about Mr. Alcocer you can visit www.josephalcocer.com/bio/ 
• Joanna Van Eizenga, Joanna Van Eizenga has a master’s degree in Music Education from Michigan State University. She received her undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University, where she studied violin with Renata Artman Knific. Joanna teaches elementary and middle school orchestra at Detroit Country Day School in Beverly Hills, MI. Outside of her school schedule, Joanna enjoys working with students of all ages at summer camps and workshops and performs with orchestras across the state of Michigan. She is Assistant Concertmaster of the Gaylord Community Orchestra, is a member of Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra, and was part of the GLCO’s European Tour in 2017. Joanna is a founder of the Gaylord Community Music School.
• Lynn Brosnan, 
• Linda Trotter, 

Viola

• Dr. Amanda Smith, 
• Jim Van Eizenga, has a Bachelor of Music in Music Eduation from Western Michigan University and a Masters in Music Education from Michigan State University. Jim is a native of Grand Rapids and has been studying viola since he was a child. Jim is Director of Orchestras at Novi High School in Novi, MI and conductor of the Gaylord Community Orchestra. During his time at Western Michigan University, Jim performed frequently with the University Symphony Orchestra. Jim has performed professionally with the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Gaylord Chamber Orchestra, Marquette Symphony Orchestra, Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra, and Alpena Symphony Orchestra. Jim has been a guest conductor of the Alpena Symphony Orchestra and the Portage Central High School Orchestras. 

Cello

• Willis Koa, cellist and teacher based in East Lansing. He is a regular member of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra and West Michigan Symphony and recently joined the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra as assistant principal. Willis frequently performs with other regional orchestras in West Michigan. He has performed as a part of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Holland Symphony Orchestra, Alma Symphony Orchestra, and Traverse Symphony Orchestra.Willis is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Cello Performance at Michigan State University studying cello with Suren Bagratuni. He completed his Master’s in Cello Performance at the University of Tennessee where he served as graduate teaching assistant and holds a BM in Cello Performance from Western Michigan University.
• Lydia De Leeuw, 

Bass

• Eddie Hasspacher, 

​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

• 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.

• Jean Lee

Jean Lee teaches in Okemos Public Schools at Kinawa 5-6 and Chippewa 7-8. 

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. .

• Lynn Brosnan

​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.

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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.