University of Nebraska-Lincoln & Lincoln Public Schools String Project

About

What is the String Project?

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln & Lincoln Public Schools String Project is a collaboration between the Glenn Korff School of Music at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Lincoln Public Schools. It is an after-school teacher-training program that gives children the opportunity to begin playing a stringed instrument ONE YEAR before they start strings in school (third/fourth grade, or the equivalent in their school). It also affords the same opportunity to students who are home-schooled or who attend private or parochial schools that may not have string programs, as well as students who live in outlying areas. Classes are held at Park Middle School. NOTE: Each student will attend classes twice weekly--Monday & Wednesday either at 4:30 or 5:30 (each student will attend BOTH DAYS at one of these hours). SECOND (and third) YEAR classes also meet Monday & Wednesday, but only at the 4:30-5:20 time. This ensemble is for any student who was in the String Project in the 2023-2024 school year AND for anyone who has completed a year of strings in their school or privately.

Who are the String Project Teachers?

Classes are taught by string students who are pursuing music degrees in the Glenn Korff School of Music at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Many of these teachers already have some teaching experience. A number of former University of Nebraska String Project teachers have been highly successful in finding teaching jobs in the schools in Lincoln, Omaha, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nevada, and Illinois. Others have their own private string studios. Additionally, former University of Nebraska String Project students have gone on to pursue music in college, both as music majors and non-majors.

Who is the supervising teacher?

The String Project teachers are supervised by Lead Teacher Sarah Baker, fourth through eighth grade orchestra teacher in Lincoln Public Schools. She earned her undergraduate degree in Music Education from Nebraska Wesleyan University and her Masters of Arts in Teaching from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Sarah is currently working towards her doctorate in education at Doane University. She loves teaching and is constantly looking for new ideas and strategies to improve the experience of her students.

Who is the director?

Dr. Karen Becker, Founding Director of the University of Nebraska/LPS String Project, is Professor of Cello in the Glenn Korff School of Music at UNL. Her interest in the String Project concept comes from having taught for several years in the University of Texas String Project. She studied cello at the University of Texas with Phyllis Young, renowned string pedagogue and former director of the Texas String Project.

Who provides the instrument?

Each student must provide his/her own instrument; rental is recommended. Student participants should contact one of the local music stores or string shops to inquire about rental fees. NOTE: if your child qualifies for free and reduced lunch through LPS you must send an email to Dr. Becker and include your child’s name and what school they attend, making sure to mention they are in the free or reduced lunch program. Soon after doing so you will receive the Free/Reduced Lunch Registration Form will pay a portion of the registration fee as well as a portion of the instrument rental.

When do classes begin?

First Year Students: all parents and students of first year students will attend an Orientation meeting on Monday, Sep. 9 at Park Middle School (855 S. 8th St.) Regular class instruction begins Wednesday Sep. 11, 2024 and will continue every Monday and Wednesday until the concert on Wednesday Dec. 4, 2024 (please refer to the "Dates & Guidelines" document for specific dates. Students who enroll must be available to attend classes two days a week: the registration form allows you to indicate whether you are available at either the 4:30-5:20 or 5:30-6:20 class time. NOTE: 2nd year classes meet both days , but only at the 4:30-5:20PM hour.

Second/Third Year Students: Classes will begin for returning students on Monday, Sep. 9 at Park Middle School. This group will meet both Monday and Wednesday from 4:30-5:20PM. Students who have played for a year or two and wish to participate must be in their school orchestra program.

How are decisions made about who is accepted into the String Project?

Students will be accepted on a first-come-first-serve basis, with a total of 70-80 students in the beginning classes. Once the maximum number are registered the registration will be closed and parents will be notified of their acceptance. NOTE: AS LONG AS THE REGISTRATION LINK IS AVAILABLE, THERE ARE STILL OPENINGS. All 1st year String Project students are encouraged to continue in the program the following year in the 2nd year group, so long as they are participating in their school orchestra program.

If you have any questions regarding the registration/payment process, please contact the UNL/LPS String Project director, Dr. Karen Becker:

E-mail: stringproject@unl.edu

String Project Staff

Sarah Baker, Lead Teacher

Sarah Baker currently teaches fourth through eighth grade orchestra in Lincoln Public Schools. She earned her undergraduate degree in Music Education from Nebraska Wesleyan University and her Master of Arts degree in Teaching from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Sarah is currently working towards her doctorate in education at Doane University. She loves teaching and is constantly looking for new ideas and strategies to improve the experience of her students. Sarah has three dogs, loves to read and enjoys taking summer vacations in her teardrop camper.  

Undergraduate Teachers

Amara Bertelson

Amara Bertelson is a junior Music Education major focusing on Double Bass. She is from Rapid City, South Dakota. In high school she was a member of the South Dakota All-State Orchestra and All-State Band. Amara has been playing for 11 years and cannot wait to teach again in the String Project!

Lily Harms

Lily Harms is a senior Music Education major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her main instrument is piano, and she plays a few others as well. In her free time, she enjoys game nights with her family and going on walks with her dog, Dora. This is her first time being involved with the String Project and she is looking forward to helping out and working with the students this semester!

Madee Hall

Madee Hall is from Spring, Texas, a part of the greater Houston metropolitan area. She began playing viola in her middle school’s orchestra at age nine, and continued playing in school orchestras throughout junior high and high school. She began taking piano lessons, along with viola lessons, at the age of twelve. In 2018, she began teaching violin, viola, and piano privately, and now teaches through Marble Music Studios in Seward and Lincoln.  Madee graduated from Concordia University in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in Viola. She is now pursuing a Master of Music degree in Viola Performance at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

Kiersten Goertzen

Hello musicians, my name is Kiersten Goertzen, and I am a junior music education student here at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. My main instrument is violin, but I do love dabbling in piano as well. I am so incredibly excited to teach String Project again and continue to grow in my love for bringing music to younger students and helping them grow to love and appreciate music also.

Dameer Gustafson

Violinist and pianist Dameer Gustafson is a senior majoring in Music Education in the Glenn Korff School of Music at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In high school, Dameer was the concertmaster of the Southeast High School Varsity Orchestra for two years, along with being a section leader in multiple honor orchestras including the Nebraska All-State Orchestra, Wesleyan Honors Festival Orchestra, and the Lincoln Youth Symphony. This is Dameer's second year teaching in the String Project.

Jenna Olson

Jenna Olson is a Freshman Music Education Major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She studies the cello under Dr. Karen Becker and has been a passionate musician since the fourth grade. In high school, she took private lessons for cello and piano, as well as participated in the Nebraska All State Orchestra, Lincoln Youth Symphony, and various other honors orchestras for multiple years. When she’s not practicing, she enjoys reading, being with friends and family, or being active outdoors. Jenna can’t wait to start her college journey and have the opportunity to dive deeper into music!

Director

Dr. Karen Becker

Karen Becker is Professor of Cello in the Glenn Korff School of Music at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and director of the University of Nebraska and Lincoln Public Schools String Project. She also coaches chamber music and teaches Cello Pedagogy and Literature. Dr. Becker is an active soloist and avid chamber and orchestral player, serving as principal cellist of the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra and touring regularly both as a soloist and as cellist in the Concordia String Trio. She has performed throughout the United States as well as throughout Europe, Mexico and Korea. She is faculty artist with the Red Lodge Music Festival in Montana and the Omaha Conservatory of Music Institute, and often serves as faculty artist for the Ameropa Chamber Music Festival in Praque, Czech Republic. 

 

Becker has presented at numerous conferences, including international conferences of the College Music Society and national conferences of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) in Kansas City, Atlanta, Providence, RI, Louisville, KY, Albuquerque, NM, and Salt Lake City, as well as the Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. She has served as president of both the Nebraska and Missouri chapters of ASTA and has served on national committees. She has received the ASTA Citation for Leadership & Merit and the Private Studio Teacher Award from the Nebraska chapter.

Instrument Rentals

Once you have registered and paid your fee through Slideroom, you can go ahead and check into instrument rentals. You’ll need to take your child to the shop to be fitted for the correct size instrument. We highly recommend renting an instrument since most students will be starting on a ¼ or ½ size instrument. There are a number of places available in Lincoln, including the following:

The Violin Shop
1641 S. 17th St.
(402) 474-1640

Dietze Music
5555 S. 48th St.
402.476.9723

Palmer Music
3534 S. 48th St.
402-432-6702​

If your child wants to play the double bass we recommend contacting Palmer Music or The Violin Shop.