The W-ASTA Birch Bay String Teachers’ Workshop is presented annually in Ferndale, Washington: a pleasant small town located fifteen minutes north of Bellingham, fifteen minutes from the beach at Birch Bay, and fifteen minutes from the Canadian border.
Since 1959, the workshop is designed specifically for school string orchestra teachers of all levels, grades 4-12. Participants range from first-year teachers to seasoned veteran teachers to retired teachers, many returning year-after-year. It is a supportive and inclusive community honoring the best practices in school string teaching. The goal of the workshop is to offer continuous, up-to-date, relevant in-service for teachers who are committed to self-improvement. The relaxed yet rigorous week allows teachers to interact with others who understand the challenges and rewards of the school orchestra setting.
This year's workshop will be held from August 3-6, 2026
NEW COLLEGE STUDENT RATE! (as of 2025) $200 with ASTA membership, $250 without ASTA membership.
Note from the Director
Dr. Philip Baldwin
Birch Bay String Teachers Workshop Director
We are excited for the 2026 Birch Bay Workshop! Our guest clinician will be Scott Laird who is Fine Arts Chair and Instructor of Music at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. Please read his clinician biography for more information.
As last year, we have shortened the workshop to 4 days in response to many requests. You’ll still get plenty of time for reading sessions, lessons on 2 secondary instruments, and experience the joy of working with your colleagues while saving money on hotels and avoiding Friday afternoon traffic.
I hope you will spread the word about this incredible event with your friends and colleagues. See you in August!
2026 Guest Clinician: Scott Laird
Instructor of Music, Fine Arts Chair
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
Recognized string pedagogue and conductor, Scott Laird, serves on the faculty of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics where he is Fine Arts Chair and Instructor of Music. Noted for his innovative approach to ensemble development and musicianship, Laird is a frequent conductor of honor orchestras and is a sought-after conference presenter. He regularly performs on acoustic and electric violin and is known for his abilities in both the classical and improvisatory arena. Laird was the recipient of the 2025 NCMEA Honor Administrator Award, 2022 ASTA President’s Award for Outstanding Service, 2019 UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award, 2017 ASTA Elizabeth A. H. Green Award, and North Carolina Symphony’s 2016 Maxine Swalin Award. He has served on the National Boards of the American String Teachers Association and El Sistema USA. He has served as President of the NC Chapter of ASTA, Chair of the NCMEA Orchestra Section and maintains a presence as a national leader in string education. He earned his B.S. in Music Education and his M.A. in Violin Performance from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he studied violin with Prof. Delight Malitsky. He earned his National Board Certification in 2004 and recertified in 2013 and 2023. His blog, “Thoughts of a String Educator,” enjoys broad readership in the music education community. In addition, Laird serves as a sponsored artist and educational specialist for D’Addario Bowed Strings, Coda Bows, Conn Selmer, and NS Design Electric Violins.
Conducting Masterclass
The Art of Conducting is more than just keeping time and running rehearsal: It is the study of gesture, meaning, and leadership. This year, we are excited invite 2 participants to conduct and receive feedback for 15 minutes on each of two consecutive days (Total of 30 minutes). The application is available on the registration page, and if you are accepted, you must choose a grade 2-4 level string orchestra work from your own library and bring two scores and a set of parts to the workshop. (8.8.6.6.4 or larger if possible). The remainder of the time will be devoted to exploring the fundamentals of conducting and score preparation to successfully inspire student orchestras from beginners to advanced players.
Instrument Class Information
Our schedule includes four Daily Instrument Classes, designed to reinforce or enhance your skills. On the registration page, you are asked to indicate your instrument preference and your skill level. We offer “No Previous Experience” classes for those wishing to get started on a new instrument as well as classes for Suzuki Book 1 level or Suzuki Book 2-4 level. The staff will make assignments based on space availability and will honor your first choice whenever possible.
We will also be offering two additional class sessions on Wednesday and Thursday. You should choose a different instrument than for the daily classes.
Ferndale High School is happy to share its 13 cellos and 8 basses, violins and violas for these classes. However, we frequently run out of instruments to loan, so we appreciate if you can bring your own secondary instrument. Instrument class assignments will be emailed to you prior to the workshop. Change requests will be honored insofar as possible once everyone has arrived on site.
2025 Workshop Schedule (sample)
Our 2026 schdule will be posted here when it is finalized in the Spring.
Monday August 4
Tuesday August 5
Wednesday August 6
Thursday August 7
7:45
Registration Ferndale HS
8:30-9:50
Reading Session #1
Reading Session #2
Reading Session #4
Reading Session #6
10:00-10:50
Conducting Workshop
Mariachi with Ramon Rivera
11:00-12:00
Kathleen Horvath Session #1
Kathleen Horvath Session #4
Secondary Instrument Class
Secondary Instrument Class
12:00-1:05
LUNCH
1:15-2:05
Kathleen Horvath Session #2
Improv with Jerilynn Harris
Improv with Jerilynn Harris
Standard Literature Reading Session #7
2:15-3:00
Instrument Class
3:10-4:10
W-ASTA meeting (30 min)
Kathleen Horvath Session #5
Mariachi with Ramon Rivera
Alternative Styles Reading Session #8
4:20-5:30
3:50-5:30 Kathleen Horvath Session #3
Reading Session #3
Reading Session #5
Reading Session #9
6:00
Get acquainted party & no-host dinner at Chihuahua Restaurant
No-host Picnic on the beach at Birch Bay State Park
No-host dinner at Bay Breeze Restaurant in Birch Bay (360-922-7902)
Farewell and cleanup.
Accommodations
Participants are responsible for their own lodging. A variety of accommodations are available in the Ferndale/Birch Bay/Bellingham area.
The following three motels offer a special rate to guests reserving prior to July 18 when identifying themselves as Birch Bay String Teachers’ Workshop participants (please click on links or call for this rate):
Condominium rentals near Birch Bay include:
- Jacob’s Landing (condos): 360-371-5941 (website link)
- Sandcastle at Birch Bay: 360-371-4900 (website link)
A variety of Air B&B and Vacation Home rentals are available in the area. You may wish to connect and share expenses with other participants if selecting this option.
Camping:
- Campsites in nearby Birch Bay State Park, some with trailer hookups, may be reserved at the Washington State Parks website. (website link)
- RV sites located near Ferndale may be reserved by calling the Cedars RV Park at 360-384-2622. (website link)
Early reservations for campsites and RV sites are advised.
Registration & Fees
REGISTRATION:We highly recommend workshop pre-registration! Registration links for 2026 will happen here soon in January/February.
FEES:
ASTA Member Early Registration, (registration received on or prior to June 15): $335
ASTA Member Registration (registration received after June 15): $370
ASTA Member special two day fee: $225
New Teacher (1-2 years regardless of ASTA membership status) discount, $300
Non-ASTA Member Registration: $370
Non-ASTA Member special (consecutive) two day fee: $250
College Student with ASTA membership: $200
College Student without ASTA membership: $250 Members of ASTA save on registration. Join ASTA by clicking here!
CLOCK HOURS: Thirty clock hours are available at no charge for WMEA members only. Washington State teachers may pay for clock hours as well through WMEA. Clock hour arrangements are made onsite.
CANCELLATION POLICY: $200 of the workshop fee will be refunded if cancellation request is received prior to July 21. No refunds will be given after July 22.
QUESTIONS:
For further information you may contact workshop director Phil Baldwin at: pbaldwin@whitworth.edu
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