Spotlight arranger

DORIS GAZDA

Doris Gazda, a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and Penn State University, taught for many years as a string specialist in the Montgomery County, Maryland, public schools. Most recently, she was a faculty Associate at Arizona State University. She has served nationally as Secretary for the American String Teachers Association, President of the National School Orchestra Association and Member-at-Large for ASTA with NSOA. Nationally known for her leadership and expertise in string instruction, Ms. Gazda presents workshop sessions at conventions and teacher's meetings and guest conducts for city, regional and all-state orchestras. She is a frequent presenter at state and national meetings for MENC, ASTA with NSOA, MTNA, regional school systems and string workshops. She received the 2003 Alumni Achievement Award from the School of Arts and Architecture at Penn State University. In the spring of 2006 she was appointed String Editorial Consultant for Carl Fischer Music.

In 2008 she was awarded the Sigma Alpha Iota honor of Member Laureate - an initiated member of the Fraternity who has achieved international distinction in the music profession.

Volunteer activities include helping with ASTA projects, participating in the Phoenix SAI Alumni Chapter activities, visiting schools in the Phoenix, AZ area and volunteering as a teacher assistant at a school in Mesa, AZ. Doris is co-director of a New Horizons Orchestra in Mesa, AZ. This orchestra is made up of older adults who wish to get back to playing now that they have time in retirement.