Laurie Lopez was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM. She holds a bachelor's degree in music from the University of New Mexico, where she studied String Pedagogy and Suzuki books 1-10 with Susan Kempter. She is currently the Program Director and a Teaching Artist of the NM Phil Young Musician Initiative and the Program Coordinator for the UNM String Lab School. Laurie also maintains a private violin studio at Robertson and Sons Violin Shop and is the current director of Mad About Music. 

She is proud to serve her community as President, with the hopes of fostering an equitable, excellent musical environment that serves all NM string teachers and their students. She also serves on the ASTA National Representation, Inclusion, and Accessibility committee.

Laurie enjoys a vibrant freelancing career, having played with the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players, the New Mexico Philharmonic, Santa Fe Symphony, Opera Southwest, and Albuquerque Little Theatre, among others. Her music direction credits include Rocky Horror Picture Show, Rock of Ages, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch. 

She spends her free time traveling, baking, and hanging out with her pup. 

Joseph Alcocer is the Orchestra and Mariachi Director at Nina Otero Community School in Santa Fe Public Schools. He also serves as a String Specialist with the Santa Fe Symphony's education programs and is a performing member of Mariachi Diferencia de Santa Fe.

An educator and performer with a career spanning Michigan, Texas, and New Mexico, Joseph has built a reputation for elevating programs and student achievement. He previously served on the faculty of Eastern New Mexico University and led significant program growth as High School Orchestra and Mariachi Director for Roswell ISD, where his ensembles earned consistent sweepstakes ratings and his mariachi students performed at the Viva Aztlán Festival in Lubbock, Texas. His work has taken him to classrooms and conference stages alike, presenting at music education gatherings across New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Michigan.

Dedicated to advancing string education, Joseph is Vice President of the American String Teachers Association New Mexico Chapter and is a Bornoff FASE Diverse String Teacher Fellow, advocating for access, equity, and cultural relevance in music programs. As Vice President of the New Mexico ASTA Chapter, Joseph Alcocer brings extensive experience across K–12, higher education, and community partnerships, along with a deep understanding of the varied needs of string programs throughout the state. A former member of ASTA’s national K–12 and Alternative Styles Committees, he advocates for access, cultural relevance, and mentorship to strengthen and connect New Mexico’s diverse music communities.

Outside the classroom, Joseph collects vintage arcade cabinets, is an avid Marvel Comic reader, and continues to perform, learn, and share music that bridges traditions and communities. 

Dr. Sigrid Karlstrom enjoys a career as a violinist and violist, chamber musician, Suzuki teacher, and school orchestra director based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

As ASTA secretary, she founded Violapalooza NM 2024, a workshop and concert that brought together 50 professional and student violists from all over the state. 

Her doctoral research and interest in contemporary works and works by underrepresented composers culminated in two albums of pieces for viola and piano by the American composers Marion Bauer, Vivian Fine and Miriam Gideon. A portion of this research is published as a “Foreword” to the American Composer Alliance’s edition of Miriam Gideons Sonata for Viola and Piano. Dr. Karlstrom's performance of the Marion Bauer Sonata for Viola and Piano, op. 22 was featured on the American Viola Society’s “Emerging Artists” recital in 2019. 

From 2013-2017, she played as a tenured member of the New Mexico Philharmonic viola section. Sigrid graduated on full merit scholarship with a DMA from The Hartt School.

Jessica Retana is a Suzuki Violin teacher, Suzuki Early Childhood Music Educator, and founder of The Well-Balanced Violin Studio in Albuquerque, NM. 

Jessica has served as Vice President & Treasurer of New Mexico ASTA, working to expand access to teacher training and string education opportunities across the state. She also serves as the ASTA Recital Chair, which gives each NM ASTA member the opportunity to nominate one student to perform in the annual honors recital. 

In 2023, Jessica received the Suzuki Association of the Americas Certificate of Achievement, recognizing excellence in teaching and dedication to lifelong learning. She is passionate about nurturing a lifelong love of music in each student, while developing their highest potential of instrumental playing and character.

Outside of teaching, Jessica is a tenured violinist in the New Mexico Philharmonic, and she enjoys spending time with her husband and three cats.