Mentor Mail

Want to talk to a successful string teacher? Here are two award winning professionals.

Joanne Donnellan is a string teacher and violinist, with a passion for teaching. I have been blessed by having the opportunities to fulfill my desire to teach and play and by living in a community which values music education.  I taught in the public schools in Ferndale, Washington for over 30 years, as an elementary strings teacher and for 25 years, as a high school orchestra director.

I retired from public school teaching 4 years ago, but continue to teach violin privately,  direct a church choir, and perform as Concertmaster with Whatcom Symphony Orchestra.  I also serve as an adjudicator throughout Washington State.   I retired 2 years ago as Co-Director of the Birch Bay State String Teachers Workshop.

As a result of my passion for teaching students to play stringed instruments, I have received several teaching awards including the Elizabeth A.H. Green School Educator award in 2001 given annually, and nationally, ASTA to one string educator, to recognize an outstanding school string teacher with a distinguished career in a school orchestral setting.  (2001)

I have served as curriculum officer for WMEA, as President and Vice-President of WASTA with NSOA, and on various committees and panels of organizations as a string educator.  I served three times as the chair and organizer for All-State Orchestra and numerous other times for the San Juan District’s High School Honors Orchestra, and gave presentations at local, state, and national music educators’ conferences.

E. Daniel Long spent many years directing bands and orchestras in Nebraska and Michigan. For thirty five years he was affiliated with the Ann Arbor, Michigan Public Schools. He is the founding director of the School for Performing Arts-Ann Arbor Youth Symphony Orchestra. He has degrees from Chadron State College (Nebraska) and the University of Colorado. Mr. Long received Chadron State College's Distinguished Service Award in 1994. Mr. Long has been president of the Michigan American String Teachers' Association. He has been a guest lecturer at The University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University. Mr. Long has received numerous awards, including the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association's Teacher of the Year (1980), and Michigan ASTA Teacher of the Year (1989). Mr. Long is a recipient of the prestigious Elizabeth A.H. Green School Educator Award (1997), presented by the American String Teachers Association with National School Orchestra Association.