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WVU viola professor named Studio Teacher of the Year

Andrea Houde

Andrea Houde, assistant professor of viola in the School of Music at West Virginia University, has been named the 2017 Outstanding Studio Teacher of the Year by the West Virginia Chapter of the American String Teachers Association.

“I nominated Andrea for the award due to her continuous drive to teach her students,” said Chapter President Jeannine Sturm. “She is an excellent pedagogue and her studio has received national and international recognition by the American Viola Society. She is a major advocate for her instrument.” 

Houde teaches undergraduate and graduate students at WVU and is a member of WVU Chamber Players, a performing group of faculty members. Houde also teaches at Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan and the Master Players Festival in Delaware. She founded and directs the WVU Viola Bootcamp, a summer camp for students interested in advanced learning. She has been a member of ASTA since college.

“Being a member of ASTA since my days as an undergraduate, I am incredibly proud to have continued as a member throughout my professional career, including my time now in West Virginia,” Houde said. “ASTA has helped to promote string playing and teaching across the country for generations, and its mission is close to my own heart.”

Houde will receive her award at 4 p.m. May 19 during the West Virginia Orchestra Festival held in conjunction with the Strawberry Festival in Buckhannon. Twenty orchestras from across the state participate in the event held at the Interfaith Chapel at West Virginia Wesleyan College.

“Professor Houde is a dedicated, talented and innovative teacher,” said Keith Jackson, director of the School of Music. “The improvement in the quality of the viola studio, and the teaching of string pedagogy, has been tremendous during her time at WVU. I am proud that the quality of her work is being recognized on a larger scale.”

On receiving the award, Houde said “being recognized by my peers across West Virginia for what I love to do is a great honor for me. I am deeply grateful for their support.”