2023 - 2024 Workshop Series

JOY! Play, Sing, Dance:

"Time-tested jewels from the work of Tossi Aaron"

Saturday, September 9, 2023

9:00 am - 1:30 pm

Welcome the new school year with veteran Orff educators Michelle Fella Przybylowski, Deb Pizzi, Martha Crowell and Marlis Kraft who will share their favorite ideas and processes from multi-talented Orff educator Tossi Aaron. Tossi was the founder of our Orff chapter and  former editor of the Orff Echo, folk singer and folk dancer, performer of Jewish music, teacher educator of movement, recorder, and pedagogy, and known for her love of play parties and canons. A recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from AOSA, Tossi loved to develop ideas in the moment, and she kept children at the heart of her work. Come ready to move, play recorder, sing, and be inspired.

Michelle Fella Przybylowski, B.S, M.Ed., NBCT, American Orff-Schulwerk Association Past President, Orff Schulwerk Teacher Educator, Choral Music Experience, and Kodaly Certification, recently retired from Cheltenham Elementary School K-4, The Orff Echo-Editorial Board 2011-17; Presently teaching at the University of the Arts Orff Program and Course Director, Level III Instructor, and Adjunct Senior Professor; Kent State University, Ohio Instructor Orff Level II & III.  Michelle presents workshops. Her major instrument is harp. She is the wife of Ted,  the mother of 3 children and 5 grandchildren. 

Deb Pizzi I have had the good fortune of being trained in Orff-Schulwerk by  AOSA legends such as Isabel Carley, Brigitte Warner, Jacobeth Postl, Barbara Grenoble, Carol Erion and Danai Gagne.  My entire career began with Tossi Aaron, who introduced me to Orff-Schulwerk, recommended me for my first teaching positions and continued to support me.  The majority of my career I taught PK to 5th at Abington Friends School.  I also taught in a primary school in France and at Germantown Friends School.  I have led workshops for the AOSA conference, directed the opening performance at the AOSA conference in Philadelphia, as well as led workshops for the National Early Childhood Association.  Now retired, I am tutoring adults at Beyond Literacy and singing and dancing with my grandsons.

Martha Crowell has taught music at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia since 1982, A recorder teacher educator in Orff Levels Courses for over 25 years, Martha served on the AOSA Guidelines Revision Steering Committee, and chaired the AOSA/ARS joint committee for years, spearheading “Recorder Corner” columns in Reverberations. A frequent Also certified in Kodaly and Music for People, Martha has presented many chapter and AOSA conference sessions. A past president of PAOSA, Martha has had the joy of belonging to the chapter since 1983.

Marlis Kraft taught music for twenty years at the Oak Lane Day School. Collecting folk songs from around the globe has been a life long pursuit which is an interest she and Tossi shared. Marlis is semi-retired and still teaches guitar, recorder and ensemble at her home studio in Elkins Park.

Marvelous Meters and Modes

Saturday, October 21, 2023

9:00 am - 1:30 pm

Join us for an interactive day experimenting, learning, creating, and performing in various meters and modes.  Learn how to engage children from preschool through middle school in a playful process exploring common and asymmetric meters as well as modal scales of various kinds.  Embody being a bird, explore food and drinks, and go on an adventure through the woods as we explore music and play together!  Bring a recorder to fully join in the fun!

Lisa is a veteran educator of 21 years and has taught kindergarten through sixth grade general music, elementary choruses, as well as elementary and middle school strings in Lower Dauphin, Conestoga Valley School Districts, and Columbia Borough School District, where she served as the K-12 Art & Music Coordinator.  Lisa has also been the Artistic Director and Prelude Choir Director for the Children’s Choir of Lancaster from 2005-2012.  Currently, she teaches kindergarten through sixth grade general music and chorus in Hempfield School District.  She is also adjunct faculty at Elizabethtown College and teaches the undergraduate music education courses:  “Music Teaching and Learning” and “General Music Methods” and the graduate courses: “Curriculum, Assessment, and Measurement” and “Peacebuilding Methodologies in Inclusive Settings”.

Lisa is a clinician, workshop presenter, and public school educator who loves to share and collaborate with her colleagues.  She has presented workshops at the local, regional, and national levels across Pennsylvania and in Texas with sessions covering topics including classroom management, choral reading sessions, technology in the music classroom, movement and music curricular connections, Kodály Pedagogy in the modern elementary music class, curriculum development, lesson planning, and Orff-Schulwerk inspired elements in K-6 music classes.  She is also a freelance violist who enjoys playing in contemporary orchestral settings.

Harmonious Classrooms:  

Strategies for Effective Classroom Management in Elemental Music Settings

Saturday, January 27, 2024

10:00 am - 12:00 pm EST/Zoom

Zoom links will be emailed prior to the workshop

Join us for a specialized virtual workshop focused on harnessing the power of movement and rhythmic exploration in the Orff Schulwerk approach, while mastering classroom management strategies tailored to the unique needs of an elemental music learning space. Participants will refresh their understanding of the fundamental principles of Orff Schulwerk, with an emphasis on the significance of movement and instrumental play in fostering creativity and musical expression. Additionally, participants will discover strategies to effectively manage the setup and organization of Orff instruments in the classroom, ensuring smooth transitions and optimal engagement during ensemble play. They will learn how to guide students in collaborative group work with Orff instruments and movement, encouraging teamwork and effective communication. They will develop strategies to maintain a balanced and positive classroom atmosphere, allowing students to express their musical ideas with enthusiasm while respecting class routines. Finally, we will engage in self reflection and peer discussion to refine our teaching practice, leveraging the power of the Orff Schulwerk process to create an enriching and transformative musical experience for students. Let's embrace managing our classrooms with ease and fostering a harmonious environment of joyful learning!

Crystal Pridmore has been teaching music for 15 years as a private voice instructor, secondary choir director, early childhood music specialist, and PreK-8 general music teacher. She currently runs the general music, choral, and strings program for PreK-6th grade students at Finney Elementary School, a 2020 California Exemplary Arts School in the Chula Vista Elementary School District.  She holds a BA in Music Education and MA in Teaching from Point Loma Nazarene University, and California Single Subject Teaching Credential in Music. She actively serves throughout the San Diego community as a singer and choir member, and performs with local groups such as the Frankly Swingin’ Band. She is the creator and co-host of the Chaotic Harmony podcast, sharing the joys and struggles of teaching in the elementary music classroom and interviewing fellow music educators from all over the world.  Crystal offers a range of online and in person music educator workshops worldwide on elemental music and movement through the Orff Schulwerk approach incorporating Social Emotional Learning, Cross Curricular Arts Integration, online teaching and learning strategies, classroom management, teacher mental health, teacher longevity and burnout resistance, and integrating puppets, ukulele, and children's books into the K-12 general and special education music classroom.

In addition, Crystal has completed 3 levels of certification in Orff-Schulwerk, serves as the San Diego American Orff Schulwerk Association Chapter President Elect, and is the Vice President of the American Center for Elemental Music and Movement. She is a current member of CMEA (California Music Educators Association), NAfME (National Association for Music Education), and AOSA (American Orff Schulwerk Association). She is the recipient of the 2020 CMEA Southern Border Section Elementary Music Specialist Fortissimo Award, the 2022 Profiles in Music Education Award from the San Diego Youth Symphony, and was a Semifinalist for the 2020 GRAMMY Music Educator Award.

Create Mirrors and Sliding Glass Doors through Children's Literature

Saturday, February 24, 2024

10:00 am - 12:00 pm EST/Zoom

Zoom links will be emailed prior to the workshop

Learn how to incorporate an inclusive space for literature to teach musical concepts in your classroom. Teachers in this session will be able to encourage social and emotional learning by understanding the differences between creating mirrors, windows, and sliding doors through children's lit.  Charissa will bring several book recommendations for the music classroom written & illustrated by Black & Indigenous People/Persons of Color (BIPOC). Be ready to create, play, and add movement to bring new classroom stories to life! 

Charissa Duncanson (kuh- rih-suh  dung-kin-sen) has taught general music for grades ranging from K-8th in the Metro Detroit Area since 2014.  As a sought out clinician for music education, she has presented locally and internationally.  Charissa has served on multiple boards for music education associations including MMEA Michigan local affiliate of Nafme, Detroit Orff Schulwerk Association, and the American Orff Schulwerk.

Music & Nature

Saturday, March 16, 2024

9:00 am - 1:30 pm

In this session, teachers will explore nature-inspired songs and activities.  Immerse yourself in the rich repertoire, integrating music, movement, and speech to engage students’ innate curiosity.  Discover rhythmic patterns, melodic motifs, and dynamic expression that evoke the sounds and textures of the natural world.  Through active participation and reflection, gain practical tools to create a vibrant and student-centered music environment.

Rob DelGaudio is a composer and elementary music educator based in Westchester, NY.  He holds B.M. and M.M. degrees from Manhattan School of Music and Hofstra University.  He received his Orff levels training at Hofstra University, Villanova University and George Mason University.  Rob creates content for music educators on YouTube.  His channel, Music With Mr. DelGaudio features his original songs and lesson ideas and currently has over 14,000 subscribers.  Additionally, he is a graduate of the prestigious BMI Musical Theatre Writing Program.  He is the creative director of his own theatre company, Pancake Productions, the leader of the Tarrytown Ukulele Jam and the author of a Barnes & Noble exclusive book titled Music.

Popular Music and Orff Schulwerk

Saturday, April 27, 2024

9:00 am - 1:30 pm

Have you ever wondered how to bring the music your students prefer into the classroom? In this workshop, you will learn many ways to integrate popular music and movement into your classroom through the Schulwerk. You will also learn how to create your own materials that make authentic connections with your students and help them learn. Bring your ukuleles and recorders and let’s have some fun!

Martina Vasil is an Associate Professor of Music Education at the University of Kentucky (UK) and the PreK–6 music teacher at Lexington Montessori School. Martina directs Orff levels and teaches a Popular Music and Orff Schulwerk special topics course at UK. She also oversees the Orff Schulwerk Graduate Certificate. She loves incorporating popular media and current artists into her lesson plans. Martina has level 3 Orff certification and training in both Dalcroze and modern band. Her PhD and BM are from West Virginia University and her MM is from Eastman School of Music.