Meet the Directors
Dr. Ames Asbell, Director
Dr. Asbell is Associate Professor of Viola at Texas State. She administers the String Project program, including registration and payments, teacher assignments, attendance, events, etc.
Her teaching at Texas State includes private instruction for the viola studio, and she loves coaching chamber music when possible. She also currently serves as President of the American Viola Society.
Dr. Karla Kamelin, Master Teacher
Dr. Hamelin is Senior Lecturer of Cello at Texas State University. She provides string pedagogy training, teaching support, and feedback for String Project teachers and assists teachers and students in weekly group classes.
She teaches the cello studio at Texas State and also coaches the Graduate String Trio. She is also currently serving as Graduate Adviser for the Texas State School of Music.
Dr. Sam Flippin, Program Support
Dr. Sam Flippin is Assistant Professor of String Music Education at Texas State University. He provides teacher observations, assists with instrument issues, and assists students and teachers in weekly classes.
In the classroom, Dr. Flippin is responsible for teaching String Techniques I and II courses as well as Band and Orchestra Methods and supervising Texas State student string teachers during their student teaching semester.
Adriana Carrillo Ramirez, Assistant Director
Adriana Carrillo Ramirez has been pursuing a masters’ degree in Violin Performance and Pedagogy at Texas State University since Fall 2023. She graduated from the National Conservatory in Mexico City, where she was born and raised. She started playing the violin in 2nd grade following the Suzuki methodology, which now has the Book 1 training as a teacher. She has participated in international festivals and seminars, such as Festival Internacional de Música Naolinco (2017-2019), Encuentros by the Dudamel Foundation (2019) and Festival de Música Guadalajara (2022). She enjoys dancing flamenco, cooking and eating pasta.
Ms. Carillo Ramirez assists with program organization, including inventory, email, and a broad variety of administrative tasks.