Annette Bauer
Playful Beginnings - The Recorder in the Orff Classroom
This session explores foundations for good recorder techniques through play and exploration, including posture, air flow, fingers, and articulation, as well as ideas on how to incorporate opportunities for musical improvisation on the instrument from the very start. Whether you begin your students with BAG or CAGE, all roads (can) lead to pentatonic! Bring your soprano recorder!
The Pipe and The Drum - An Exploration of Music for Recorder and Percussion (Presented in French with a repeat in English)
The pairing of two of the oldest instruments in human history - the flute and the drum - make for a great opportunity to explore improvisation, historical perspectives, and repertoire from different cultures around the world on recorder and Orff percussion instruments. Geared for soprano and alto recorder - other sizes of the recorder are welcome!
Nathan Beeler
Stepping Toward Culture: First Nations Music in Settler Classrooms
What does engaging with Indigenous music look like in settler classrooms? Dr. Beeler will discuss current research and methodologies that explore pedagogical approaches to Truth and Reconciliation through music making. Dr. Beeler will introduce a framework of engagement designed to help educators in this process.
Christa Coogan
Imagination in Movement and Dance improvisation
We will engage with improvisational structures to heighten awareness, expand personal movement vocabulary, and cultivate the ability to move with intention and nuance. The movement explorations will also provide opportunities to connect with each other in generous ways.
Through the Space…In the Circle…
Participants will learn two dances that exemplify different imitation-based pedagogical strategies. Each set dance includes either improvisational moments or serves as a model for choreographic variations.
Workshop for Teacher Educators of Movement/Dance (90 min session)
Engaging in a particular way: teaching for aesthetic experience
We will explore two music and dance activities in a way that allows for a deeper encounter with their essence. This approach engages the senses, intellect, and imagination. Understanding important structural elements of aesthetic experience can facilitate meaning-making and evoke feelings of being moved, delighted, absorbed, or in a state of wonder.
Chantal Dubois
Landscapes of Sea and Wind (Presented in French)
We'll head out to sea, swayed by images of the wind and the sounds of sea shanties—atmospheres to live, create, and explore. With the wind in our sails, the adventure will unfold through singing, playing instruments, moving, and creating, all with an inspiring repertoire tailored for today's generation.
Casamance at the Heart of Childhood (Research Presented in French)
Presenting my recent fieldwork, I discovered the magnificent Casamance, a region in southern Senegal, stretching from the Atlantic to eastern Senegal, bordering Mali and Guinea. The presentation will cover the research project, respect for traditions, recollections of elders, and recognition of cultures.
Frances Farrell
We Can Make A Circle - From the Ground Up!
Circle Singing is an exciting form of group singing pioneered by Bobby McFerrin. This hands-on session uses ostinati to create a dynamic and collective musical mosaic - one that celebrates everyone’s unique voice and underscores why this accessible, improvisatory, inclusive, and fun form of musicking would be a welcome addition to any music classroom!
I’d Like To Buy A Vowel, Please: A Sound Investment
Just like in the game show, Wheel of Fortune, vowels can be key to “solving the puzzle” in the choral classroom. Bring your singing voices to explore strategies and hand gestures that promote unified vowel shapes, legato singing, and improve overall tuning with your singers.
Kim Friesen and Connie Ohlmann
Exploring I-IV-V and More: Orff-Keetman Schulwerk ideas for Grades 4-8
Come and play popular music arrangements using I-IV-V (and maybe that minor 6th!) We’ll discuss how these pieces may open doors to create new compositions or arrange others! By singing, playing, moving, creating, and improvising, we explore ways that using popular music is meaningful to students and how to access this repertoire.
Sophie Gaudreau-Pinsonneault
Musical Seasons : An elementary level performance in the Orff-Schulwerk classroom (Presented in French)
A musical story for elementary school students based on the theme of the seasons, incorporating song, movement, and Orff instruments for a colorful performance that combines music, theater, movement, and visual arts. Tools to create an interdisciplinary project promoting music within an educational community.
In Music Class, We Play! (Presented in French)
This workshop will feature musical games to explore different aspects of music in a fun way. Participants will engage in movement, singing, and creativity through various French folk songs. “The game is a moment of discovery and understanding” (Jean Piaget)
James Harding
“Ma Mère L'Oye” : Trouve ta voie (Presented in French)
Wander through the enchanted world of Maurice Ravel's "Mother Goose Suite," stopping to play along the way. Exploring a piece of art music in the Orff classroom means looking for the simple, accessible ideas within the exquisitely crafted music, finding the secret passages into creative elemental music and movement work.
Movement that is Drawn: Inspired by Norman McLaren (Presented in English)
Norman McLaren was a pioneering Canadian animator whose creations live at the intersection of movement and music. Exploring a visual artist in the Orff classroom means looking for the ways in which line, color, texture and composition can inspire creative work with the elements of sound, space, weight and time.
Sue Harvie
F-U-N with a Bang and Bump!
What do punching kangaroos, a bear eating underwear and Shoo Fly Pie have in common? Literature connections with a musical twist. Author Matt Hazel’s, A Bump in the Night and other activities provide a sound stage of possibility, creativity… and just a bit of F-U-N.
MAKE A SPLASH (with Heather Nail)
Whether rowing a boat, pulling the anchor or sailing the high seas, let’s make a splash with games, activities and orchestrations. Navigate curricular objectives and dive into the treasure chest of Orff media and process. Prepare to jump into the deep end and explore all these with a generous measure of F-U-N!
James Jackson
If Carl had had a Ukulele
In this session we will explore integrating the Uke into your Orff program. Placing the Uke as another instrument in the Instrumentarium, we will consider how the uke can provide borduns, melodic ostinati, and colour parts as well as improvising in your arrangements.
Leah Kmetz
Pliable Process - Adapting for All
Discover and experience supports for special education students to be successful in an Orff Schulwerk classroom. By modifying instruments, orchestrations, and the use of technology, we will look at our own process to find room for all students of varying needs.
Charlotte Myers
Smooth Passages in Music Class!
Keeping students’ attention when transitioning between activities can be a challenge. Charlotte will share effective strategies and activities to help engage everyone and minimize delay when shifting to the next part of your lesson. Be prepared to participate in a fluid musical experience from start to finish!
Laura Ono
The Movement of Music: Introduction to Dalcroze Eurhythmics
Dalcroze Eurhythmics is a music education approach that uses body movement to develop deep, embodied musical understanding. Created by Émile Jaques-Dalcroze, it integrates music, movement, and expression. Suitable for all ages and settings, it fosters musicianship through physical, emotional, and intellectual engagement—where the body becomes music.
Shawnee Paul
Bringing Mi’kmaq Culture into the Music Classroom: Respectful Integration and Musical Exploration
How can we meaningfully and respectfully bring Mi’kmaq culture into our classrooms? Explore authentic ways to include Mi’kmaq traditions, focusing on what is culturally appropriate and building understanding. Discover practical strategies for teaching with respect and intention using Shawnee’s original repertoire incorporating Mi’kmaq language and cultural themes. Come, deepen your knowledge and uplift Mi’kmaw voices through music.
Naomi Pierrard
The Gift of Song through Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing)
Learn about Mi’kmaw songs and storytelling through the Guiding Principle, Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing) which encourages using both lenses, the Western and Indigenous knowledge system for the benefit of all. The session is a grassroots approach of lived experiences that focuses on the importance of authentic, accurate, and sacredness of Mi’kmaw/Indigenous teachings within music.
Anne-Claire Raineri
Singing as a Vocal Playground
Engage young learners with a playful, practical approach to vocal work in the elementary classroom. Through warm-ups, breathwork, movement, canons, and call-and-response songs, teachers gain easy-to-use tools to develop students’ listening, vocal confidence, and creativity. A fun, accessible routine that makes singing a joyful part of every school day!
Joy Reeve
SEE through ME!
Social Emotional Education through Music Education is a research-based curriculum based on ‘the power of music’ that affects students, and even ourselves. Utilizing music affect to discover and recognize emotions can be a beginning point or experiential social emotional education through games, activities and reflection in the music classroom.
Donna Rhodenizer
New Singing Games for Young Singers
Donna Rhodenizer's innovative singing games offer fresh, original material for teaching foundational melodic and rhythmic skills. Engaging songs incorporate various activities, including movement, individual singing, guessing a mystery singer, and improvisation using body percussion or Orff instruments. Children enjoy these interactive singing games, making learning both fun and effective.
Nicole Schutz and Tenielle Bennett
The Métis Kitchen Party
Join Métis educators Nicole Schutz and Tenielle Bennett to explore Métis culture through music, storytelling, and movement. Discover strategies and activities designed to educate, delight, and deepen students’ appreciation for Métis culture. Leave with resources and confidence to respectfully bring in Indigenous perspectives to life in your K–6 music program.
Scott Sexton
Passages Through History: An Orff Approach to Teaching About the R.M.S. Titanic.
The R.M.S. Titanic is one of the iconic events in maritime history. This session will explore ways to incorporate Orff-based music activities from this historical period into your music curricula. Participants will uncover historical facts through singing, dancing, and creating as we sample musical activities related to the Titanic.
Josh Southard
Children’s Literature and the Modes
Discover the power of children’s picture books as a gateway to exploring modal music. This session will guide participants through an engaging journey, beginning with pentatonic modes and expanding to fully diatonic settings. Attendees will learn practical strategies for teaching modal melodies and improvisation, adaptable for students of all ages.
All About the Process!
Effective teaching lies in the ability to simplify even the most intricate patterns. This session will present innovative approaches to adapting pieces from the Music for Children supplements, such as Erstes Spiel am Xylophon and Spielbuch fur Xylophon, making them more accessible and teachable for learners at all levels.
Patrick Ware
It's all in the hands
Participants will learn handclaps appropriate for all ages.
Come pat, clap, snap and more. Using body percussion, song and creative play we will explore hand-clapping patterns from kindergarten through grade 5. From the simple to the complex, from nursery rhymes to jazz, everyone will have fun, because it’s all in the hands.
Creative Movement Big and Small
Participants will experience different types of creative movement.
Looking for ideas for creative movement? Help us tell a story without words. Join us as we explore the world of movement in the Orff-Schulwerk classroom. Come play, come move, come share your creativity.
Read, Sing, Dance - Exploring children's literature
Participants will find the music in picture books.
Everyone loves a good story. Every child has a story to tell. Together we will discover the opportunity for magical music making in picture books. Appropriate and engaging for all ages; come play with us as we further our reading comprehension and enhance our musicality through children’s literature.
Stacy Werner
Percussion Party - Getting Creative with Rhythm Instruments
Explore the creative world of percussion in this interactive session! Discover how rhythm instruments can spark expression, creativity, and musical exploration. From sound effects to student composition, participants will learn practical ways to incorporate percussion using classical and contemporary music, improvisation, and engaging activities for elementary music classrooms.
Dr. Corina-Maria Zosim
Training Better to Teach Better: A Fresh Perspective on the Effects of Effective Professional Development
This presentation introduces an enhanced model for studying the effects of professional development on teachers and students. Inspired by Desimone (2009) and enriched by other authors, it highlights the characteristics of effective training that support the evolution of teaching practices and student learning.