
Kodály Association of Southern California
What we do at our workshops...
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PRevious workshops 2021-2022
Workshop #1: September 25, 2021
9:00am-12:30pm PST
Online (Zoom)
Living Traditions: Songs and Singing Games from Spain, Guatemala, and Nicaragua
Clinician:
Dr. Rachel Gibson
Come sing, play, move, create, and experience joy with living music traditions from Spain, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. Participants will actively engage in repertoire that the presenter recently learned while living in each of these countries. The music was shared by teachers, families, and children and represents diverse practices that span from traditional songs and singing games to contemporary children’s music that utilizes recorded media. The activities allow for musical play and movement, encourage lyrical improvisation, and foster community. The texts are accessible to learn and field videos will be shown to demonstrate the songs in authentic contexts. History of each region and strategies for integrating the collection into Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Pedagogies will also be discussed. ¡Ven a cantar y jugar! Come sing and play!
Dr. Rachel Gibson is a Professor of Music and coordinator of music education at Westfield State University in Massachusetts. She serves on summer faculty at the University of Montevallo Kodály Institute in Alabama (UMKI) and is currently teaching and researching at Universidad de Málaga in Spain as a Fulbright Global Scholar. She is an active local, national, and international clinician, president-elect of Kodály Educators of Southern New England (KESNE), member-at-large for Connecticut American Orff-Schulwerk Association (CTAOSA), and serves on the OAKE National Board of Directors. Her research interests include children’s music traditions in Hispanic countries and has engaged in folk song collection and research in Spain during a five-month residency and in Guatemala and Nicaragua for ten months. Her upcoming book, ¡Canta Conmigo! Songs and Singing Games from Guatemala and Nicaragua, will be published by Oxford University Press in 2021. Prior to her current position, she taught K-6 general and choral music for 15 years in New York, Connecticut, and Washington State and maintained a piano studio where she taught lessons to children and adults.
Workshop #2: November 13, 2021
9:00am-12:30pm PST
Online (Zoom)
Nurturing Musical Growth through Technology and Assessment
Clinician:
Aileen Miracle
This workshop will explore how to nurture students’ musical growth through technology and assessment. First, attendees will learn about various tech tools for the music classroom, from Nearpod, to Flipgrid, to Seesaw, with specific examples of how to use each in their music lessons. Lessons for in person and virtual teaching will be shared, to engage, to build relationships, and to assess. Educators will also learn about centers for the music room, to integrate technology, formatively and summatively assess students, and provide students with voice and choice. Attendees will leave the session with many ideas for a variety of grade levels, and a plan for choosing and using tech tools and assessments.
Aileen Miracle teaches general music, band, and choir in the Olentangy Local School District near Columbus, Ohio; this is her twenty-third year teaching. Aileen received her Bachelor of Music Education from Central Michigan University in 1999, and her Master of Music in Music Education from Capital University in 2003; she completed her masters studies at the Kodály Institute in Kecskemét, Hungary. Aileen has served as President of the Tri-City Kodály Educators in Columbus, President of the Midwest Kodály Music Educators of America, and has served the National Program Chair for the 2015 OAKE conference, co-chair for the 2019 OAKE conference, and will serve as chair for the 2023 OAKE conference. Aileen has taught Level I Methodology and Folk Song Research for Colorado State University's Kodály Program, Level I and III Methodology and Folk Song Research for DePaul University's Kodály Program, and Level III Methodology and Folk Song Research for Capital University’s Kodály Program. In 2016, Aileen was awarded “Teacher of the Year” at Cheshire Elementary. She has presented at OAKE Conferences, and currently presents workshops around the world. She enjoys sharing music education ideas through her blog, Mrs. Miracle’s Music Room, and her podcast, The Music Room. Her family includes her husband Scott, a singer/songwriter, her 17-year-old daughter Jenna, who plays flute and ukulele, and her 9-year-old daughter Macy, who loves to sing and draw!
Workshop #3: February 5, 2022
9:00am-12:30pm PST
Online (Zoom)
Expanding America's Musical Mother Tongue with Cultural Integrity
Clinician:
Kelly Foster-Griffin
The Kodály approach to teaching is based on the “mother-tongue” of the students, that is, on the child's own folk music. In the United States, with so many varied backgrounds, communities and cultures, we may find that our repertoire lacks the diversity we see in our classes. In this workshop, we will explore diverse cultures, examine the context of multicultural songs, games, and dances and discover how it can fit into a Kodály-inspired classroom. In addition, we'll consider how "student voice" and collective music-making affirms the cultural identities of all students and enriches the classroom environment.
Kelly Foster Griffin is a National Board Certified teacher and teaches K-5 music in the Northshore School District, Kenmore, Washington. She holds a Kodály Certificate from the Kodály Musical Training Institute, Hartt School of Music, and a Master of Music Education with Kodály Emphasis from Holy Names University. Kelly has served on various state, regional and national boards including: president of the Northwest Kodály Educators; Western Division president and president of the Organization of American Kodály Educators (2012-2014). She is a co-founder and former executive director of the non-profit arts camp, Summer Fun! - A Music, Theatre and Visual Arts Day Camp for Children (1993-2011) and taught choir and musicianship for the Columbia Choirs of Metropolitan Seattle for nearly 30 years. She is an instructor for the Kodály Levels Program of Seattle teaching Musicianship, Pedagogy and Materials courses. In 2018, she was selected “Elementary Music Teacher of the Year” by the Washington State Music Educators
Workshop #4: March 26, 2022
9:00am-12:30pm PST
Streamed via Zoom or IN PERSON at CSU Fullerton
Room 119, CPAC, Minor Rehearsal Hall Room 119
Mariachi: Community in the Classroom
Clinician:
Mark Santos
Mariachi music is more than just a musical group or ensemble. It’s a tradition that is steeped in community. Join Mark Santos as he guides you through the process of cultivating a mariachi community in the classroom. Now, more than ever, is the time to connect with students and nurture their social emotional connections. Learn how to elevate student leaders in the classroom and the importance in running an autonomous rehearsal. You’ll receive song suggestions and the tools to discover more repertoire for this culturally important musical genre.
Mr. Mark Santos has been Director of Instrumental Music at Godinez Fundamental HS since Fall 2016. He currently teaches Marching Band, Concert Band, Beginning Band, Beginning Orchestra, and Advanced Orchestra. Before coming to Godinez, he taught at Abraham Lincoln HS (Los Angeles, CA) and Legacy VAPA HS (South Gate, CA). He has taught Marching Band, Concert Band, Orchestra, Jazz Band, Mariachi, and Choir.
Mr. Santos attended Mt. Carmel HS in San Diego where he participated in Marching Band, Jazz Band A, the spring musical, Wind Ensemble I, and Symphony Orchestra. He received his Bachelor of Music Performance with an emphasis on Classical Bass Trombone from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music (Ohio). He received a Master of Arts in Teaching Music and CA Teaching Credential from the University of Southern California. While at USC he also served as a TA and eventually Assistant Director of the USC Trojan Marching Band, a position he held until he left in 2016.
In August of 2016, Mr. Santos started Godinez Fundamental High School's first ever marching band: The Black and Gold Regiment. In the fall of 2017, the Black and Gold Regiment competed for the first time in the school's history. Over the next 4 years, Godinez's ensembles will perform at more district and community events than any other high school in the district. In 2020 and 2021, Mr. Santos was recognized by Santa Ana Unified and the City of Santa Ana for his contributions to the community and arts education in the district.

PRevious workshops 2020-2021
Online Virtual Workshops on Zoom
All workshops are $15 each
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM (PST)
Workshop #1: September 12, 2020
Virtual Toolbox for the Instrumental, Choral, & General Music Teacher
Clinicians:
Lindsie Hardy
Sean Carney
Sean Longstreet
Join us for distance learning tools, tips, and tricks to use with elementary through high school students! Our online workshop will include resources to keep young learners engaged with the help of puppets and hand signs, while also using Google Slides to organize and present visually appealing content. Additionally, we’ll show you how to use web-based creativity tools and lesson ideas geared toward rhythm/melody to encourage musical thinking and meaningful asynchronous work, especially for students without instruments. You’ll learn how to improve the look and sound of your video conferencing setup, and we’ve even planned an entire section dedicated to building a virtual choir or band. This online workshop will reinvigorate your online classroom and help you connect with students in a virtual world!
All attendees will receive access to a “Virtual Toolbox” (Google Drive Folder) with links, lesson examples, and more!
Workshop #2: November 7, 2020
Meaningful Listening and Virtual Toolbox Part 2
Clinicians:
Dr. Kathy Hickey
Lindsie Hardy
Focused or active listening to music offers opportunities to combine the cognitive and analytical aspect of music learning with the emotional or affective aspect of music. Do your students hear the rhythms and feel the meter when they listen to a piece of music? Is it in major or minor mode? Do you hear the intervals and chords? Can you sing along in solfege or conduct the meter? Do you hear what I hear? Listening to music interactively is an important step on the continuum of music literacy. “Listening to, analyzing, and describing music” are included in National Standards for Arts and state and local school standards. This first half of the workshop will include materials and teaching strategies for listening in the “real” and “virtual” K-12 classroom.
Speaking of listening… you asked, and we listened! The last half of our workshop will be “Virtual Toolbox Part 2”! Back by popular demand, Lindsie Hardy is returning from our first workshop to share more of what’s been working in her online elementary music classes. From engaging synchronous activities to creating meaningful asynchronous lessons with the basics of Google Slides, this workshop is sure to reignite your spirit for teaching music online! Join us for more creative and fun online learning ideas with Ms. Hardy’s Music Party!
Workshop #3: February 6, 2021
Music and Movement in the Kodály Classroom
Clinician:
Donna A. Menhart, Associate Professor
The Hartt School, University of Hartford
This active-learning workshop will demonstrate the multi-levels and purposes of folk songs, chants, games, and dances appropriate for traditional and non-traditional learning environments. Attendees will learn how folk songs are efficiently incorporated into the general music, choral, or instrumental classroom, providing aural, psychological, technical, and physical preparation for literacy, as well as discover programmable options for folk repertoire. Songs from various countries will be shared, giving educators the opportunity to demonstrate the accessibility of international cultures with their students. And above all else, everyone will be reminded that music is joyous and is meant to be shared.



PRevious workshops 2019-2020


Using the Kodály Approach and Beyond . . . to Achieve National Board Certification!
Saturday, September 21, 2019
9:00am-1:30 pm
St. Paul’s First Lutheran Church
5244 Tujunga Ave
North Hollywood, CA 91601
About the Workshop:
In this workshop Julie Corallo and Juanda Marshall will explain the benefits of achieving National Board Certification and how using the Kodály Approach helped them on their journey. Perhaps you are wondering about the process of achieving National Board Certification. You may be looking for ways to increase your salary or teaching opportunities in the future. Juanda and Julie were certified in December of 2018 and will describe how this voluntary advanced credential can be an advantage to you and your students while taking your instruction to a higher level.
Ms. Corallo and Ms. Marshall will lead participants through songs, games, and engaging activities that will help attendees to understand the requirements for the four components of National Board Certification and the pathways one can take to effectively plan their candidacy. We invite you to join us as we investigate this worthwhile challenge!
Parking:
You may use street parking, meter parking, or the lot of the elementary school behind Wagner Hall. The parking lot behind Wagner Hall is off of McCormick St. and Bakman Ave. If you park in the lot, walk north/west back to the corner of Tujunga Ave. and McCormick St. to get to the gym where the workshop will be held. Look for the KASC banner!
Lunch:
Participants will be given short breaks, and snacks will be provided. You are welcome to bring a lunch.
Below are helpful links with food options near the venue, information on how to register, and a flyer so you can share the information with others who may be interested!

Workshop #1: Julie Corallo and Juanda Marshall
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Workshop #2: Dr. Kathy Hickey
ADVANCING MUSICALLY with the KODÁLY CONCEPT
Clinician:
Dr. Katherine Hickey, DMA
University of Redlands School of Music
kathy_hickey@redlands.edu
Saturday, November 2nd, 2019
9:00am-1:30 pm
St. Paul’s First Lutheran Church
5244 Tujunga Ave
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Teaching advanced music concepts continues from the seeds sown with successful teaching of the Kodály approach curriculum in grades K-3. Students are prepared to progress to more advanced music concepts, such as inversion and cadence in harmony; compound, mixed, and asymmetrical meters; chromaticism and modulation; all diatonic scales, modes and 20th century scales; form and analysis. Materials and pedagogy for grades 3 to university level will be presented for analysis and active music-making.
Parking:
You may use street parking, meter parking, or the lot of the elementary school behind Wagner Hall. The parking lot behind Wagner Hall is off of McCormick St. and Bakman Ave. If you park in the lot, walk north/west back to the corner of Tujunga Ave. and McCormick St. to get to the gym where the workshop will be held. Look for the KASC banner!
Lunch:
Participants will be given short breaks, and snacks will be provided. You are welcome to bring a lunch.
Parking



Parking

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Going Global: World Music in the Kodály-Inspired Classroom
Clinician: Christopher Roberts, cr777@uw.edu
Saturday, February 1, 2020
Registration: 9:00 am-9:30 am
Workshop: 9:30 am-3:00 pm
St. Paul’s First Lutheran Church
5244 Tujunga Ave
North Hollywood, CA 91601
About the Workshop:
As our country grows increasingly diverse, many Kodály-inspired music educators are looking for ways to incorporate world musics into the curriculum. However, if students are not actively engaged in music-making and do not connect the material to their contemporary lives, lessons on world music can bore children and lead to simplistic experiences with the music. In this workshop, participants will explore issues related to two types of learning experiences with world music:
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Listening lessons: When teaching music that is unfamiliar, recordings can be an effective way for students to experience the music as it sounds in the home culture. In this part of the workshop, we will:
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Explore broad principles of music listening, including Campbell’s five-step model of world music pedagogy;
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Participate in listening lessons of music from El Salvador and Botswana;
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Create a listening lesson as a group;
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Examine online resources of listening lessons and recordings of world music.
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Singing games: Children throughout the world engage in musical play through singing games, and they are a staple in many Kodály-inspired classrooms. In addition to being an essential part of child culture, children’s singing games lend themselves to a variety of pedagogical purposes, such as in-tune singing, rhythmic development, melodic development, and solo singing. In this portion of the workshop, we will:
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Learn singing games from many parts of the world;
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Listen to field recordings of children at musical play;
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Observe videos of elementary-aged children in the United States playing singing games from other cultures;
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Discuss characteristics of successful multicultural singing games, and identify potential breakdown points while teaching them;
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Learn of published resources for singing games from around the world.
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About the Clinician:
Christopher Roberts is Lecturer and Director of Music Teacher Preparation at the University of Washington, where he teaches both undergraduate and graduate students. An elementary music teacher for 20 years, he has given workshops for music educators in over 40 states and provinces, on topics including World Music Pedagogy, the joy of singing games, and effective ways to promote in-tune singing. Christopher is the director of the Kodály Levels Program of Seattle and teaches Levels at Westminster Choir College in New Jersey. Additionally, he was a founding instructor of the Smithsonian Folkways Certification Course in World Music Pedagogy. In 2018, his co-authored book was published by Routledge.
Parking:
You may use street parking, meter parking, or the lot of the elementary school behind Wagner Hall. The parking lot behind Wagner Hall is off of McCormick St. and Bakman Ave. If you park in the lot, walk north/west back to the corner of Tujunga Ave. and McCormick St. to get to the gym where the workshop will be held. Look for the KASC banner!
Lunch:
Participants will be given a lunch break, and snacks will be provided. You are welcome to bring a lunch.
UPDATE: We will be taking lunch orders in the morning from Firehouse Subs! CASH ONLY. The following 3 options will be available:
A lieutenant Box Combo - an 8 inch sub, Chips, a cookie and drink (lemonade and tea) = $11.00
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Turkey
Smoked turkey breast, served Fully Involved with provolone on a toasted sub roll.
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Tuna
Blend of tuna, mayo, relish, and black pepper - an old fire department recipe. Served Fully Involved.
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Veggie
Sauteed bell peppers, sauteed mushrooms, sauteed and raw onions, lettuce, tomato, mayo, deli mustard, Italian dressing, provolone, cheddar, and Monterey Jack.
Fully Involved® – Loaded complete with mayo, deli mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a kosher dill pickle on the side.
Workshop #3: Christopher Roberts
PRevious workshops 2018-2019
Hook, Line and Sinker: Catching the Attention of Older Learners in the Music Room
Saturday, September 22, 2018
9:30am - 3:00pm
CSU Fullerton Room 119, CPAC, Minor Rehearsal Hall Room 119
Fullerton, CA
*Parking: Nutwood Parking Structure on State College/Nutwood is free on weekends
About the Workshop:
Catching and maintaining the attention of upper elementary students can be a challenging and daunting task. But if you “bait your hook” just right you’ll soon have them eating out of your hand! In this session, we’ll focus on instructional strategies, pedagogical materials, and ways to build student rapport in order to gain and maintain the engagement rate of your upper elementary students. Song material, singing games, reading activities, pacing ideas, lesson structure and delivery, and building trust and relationships with your students are among many of the topics that will be addressed as ways to increase student participation, ownership, and joy in the music classroom.

Workshop #1: Amy Abbott
Choral Nuts and Bolts - Putting the Pieces Together (How to break down and teach choral literature sequentially using Kodály techniques)
Saturday, November 3, 2018
9:30am - 1:00pm
Azusa Pacific University
Munson Chapel
901 Alosta Ave
Azusa, CA 91702
About the Workshop:
Do you struggle with part-singing in your choir(s)? In this workshop you will become comfortable with a proven sequence for developing part-singing through selected repertoire using Kodály strategies. We'll show you how to go from simple part-singing to more complex varieties, starting with ostinatos, then canons, and eventually 2-part and beyond. Join us for a morning of unlocking the musicianship and magic of your choir!

Workshop #2: Diane Geller & Kelly Adams

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Fun with Folk – Learn to Play the Dulcimer and Folk Dance the Kodály Way
(Applying Kodály Principles in Practice to Folk Dance and Dulcimers)
Saturday, February 2, 2019
9:00am-10:00am Optional Dulcimer Building (registration required)**
10:00am-3:00pm Workshop begins for all other participants
St. Paul’s First Lutheran Church
5244 Tujunga Ave
North Hollywood, CA 91601
**If you have opted to build your own dulcimer, you may want to bring your own small Phillips head screwdriver as you will use it a lot.
About the Workshop:
Have you always wanted to learn to play the Appalachian lap dulcimer? The dulcimer is a lovely, soft instrument that accompanies children’s voices beautifully, and can become your go-to instrument in your music classroom. Come build your own dulcimer to take home from a kit, and learn the basics of playing today.
Music teachers need quick and easy ways to incorporate folk dance into the music curriculum. Let Robbin show you how to link folk dance to the singing games and play parties you are already teaching - thus saving time and adding to the FUN factor for your students!
In the context of the above topics, Robbin will also be sharing with you some songs, games and play parties from Jean Ritchie's Family of Kentucky. Who are the Ritchies, and why is their contribution to the Kodály world in the United States so important? Come find out, and see how this time-tested music, deeply rooted in Appalachia, can be relevant to our 21st century classrooms.
Parking:
You may use street parking, meter parking, or the lot of the elementary school behind Wagner Hall. The parking lot behind Wagner Hall is off of McCormick St. and Bakman Ave. If you park in the lot, walk north/west back to the corner of Tujunga Ave. and McCormick St. to get to the gym where the workshop will be held. Look for the KASC banner!
Lunch:
Participants will be given a break for lunch. You are welcome to bring a lunch or find something nearby. Here's a helpful link with food options near the venue:
