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String Studies at VSU
The area of string studies at VSU affords college string majors, with the unique opportunity
of working and playing with a regional, professional orchestra: The Valdosta Symphony Orchestra.
As part of the outreach of the Valdosta Symphony, our students are also able to gain valuable experience
working with young string players in the South Georgia String Project
and the Valdosta Symphony Youth Orchestra.
In addition to private lessons with our string faculty, master classes are taught by the many performers who come as recital artists or concert artists, performing with the Valdosta Symphony. Just a few of the artists have included: Glenn Dicterow, Andres Diaz and Janos Starker.
Thanks to the generosity of the Valdosta Symphony patrons, there are scholarships available for qualifying string students, majoring in music. Awardees are required to perform in the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, including all rehearsals and concerts. Valdosta Symphony scholarships are awarded in addition to any other scholarship money students might be eligable for, such as Georgia's HOPE Scholarhip.
Our string faculty come to us from major music schools and conservatories with background as professional performers. They serve as the principals in the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, and as members of the VSU String Quartet. Our bass teacher teaches in the string and jazz areas. Our faculty are always happy to help if you have further questions about string studies at VSU.
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| Nina Lutz, Violin, MM, Eastman School |
Bret Alford, Bass, MM, Valdosta State University |
Steven Taylor, Cello, MM, The Juilliard School |
Matson Topper, Violin, Viola DM, Florida State University |
Alicja Usarek-Topper, Violin DMA, University of Texas at Austin |