Troy High School orchestra director named MASTA Teacher of the Year

TROY — The Michigan Chapter of the American String Teachers Association (MASTA) has named Wendy Stuart, who is the orchestra director at Troy High School, as the 2025 Teacher of the Year.

MASTA exists to support music educators by providing resources for classroom and private studio instruction. Its Teacher of the Year award recognizes educators who have dedicated at least a decade to teaching in Michigan, demonstrated excellence in music performance and education, and provided outstanding service to string education in the state.

“Wendy Stuart exemplifies these qualities, inspiring countless students and setting the standard for music education through her leadership at Troy High School,” a press release from Troy Public Schools said.

The announcement was made Jan. 24 during the Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids.

“I’m so honored to have been named MASTA Teacher of the Year,” Stuart said in a press release. “I learned only the morning the award was presented that it was a former student, now orchestra teacher, who nominated me. That alone was incredibly meaningful to me. I am grateful to all of the students I’ve worked with over the years. They truly inspire me daily to be more creative in my teaching and I love being able to share my love of music with them.”

Stuart studied music at Eastern Michigan University and the University of Michigan. She earned a bachelor’s degree at Eastern Michigan and a master’s degree at Michigan.

Stuart has also studied conducting internationally.

She began her teaching career in Ohio, spending 10 years building a string program before moving to Michigan. She taught in Clarkston Community Schools for 21 years, building that district’s strings program before becoming the director of the Troy High School Orchestras in 2021.

“We are so proud, but not at all surprised, that Wendy Stuart has been named the MASTA Teacher of the Year,” Troy School District Superintendent Rich Machesky said in an email. “Since joining our staff, she has furthered the tradition of excellence that Troy High Orchestras are known for. She is an exceptional music educator, and Troy High students are lucky to have a teacher and musician of her caliber on the podium.”

Stuart is also the principal cellist for the Oakland Symphony Orchestra, the assistant principal cellist for the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra, and a director with Oakland Youth Orchestras in her spare time.

Remo Roncone, the principal at Troy High, acknowledged  Stuart for the recognition that she has received.

“Congratulations to Wendy Stuart, our MASTA Teacher of the Year,” Roncone said in an email. “Her dedication, passion, and creativity have inspired countless students and enriched our community. Thank you for sharing the beauty of music with us and for being an exceptional educator.”

For more information about MASTA and its awards, visit astamichigan.org/.