The Los Angeles Virtual Orff Teacher Education Course
New 2021 Dates: June 21-July 2, 2021
Although there is growing reason for optimism regarding the Covid-19 pandemic and availability of vaccines in Southern California, we have determined that the safest course for us is to postpone in-person Orff levels training for another summer. We expect to resume Orff training Levels I, II and III in Summer, 2022.
For 2021 we are very excited to offer once again some extraordinary distance learning classes with your Los Angeles County Orff instructors, Patrick Ware, Kerri Lynn Nichols, Richard Lawton, Mika Inouye, and the newest addition to the faculty, Cyndee Giebler.
These sessions have been created from each teacher educator’s passion for Orff education and will use multiple creative strategies to get you moving, playing, writing, thinking, and teaching in new ways. This schedule is an extension of Los Angeles Orff Chapter's mission is to build community and foster collaboration among all teachers in our urban and suburban schools.
Class Descriptions and registration below. All times listed are Pacific Standard Time. All classes -- $100 except got An Experience with Vol. I, II, III & IV - $25 for each one day session.
Reduced tuition available for California college students; contact Course Director, Rachael Doudrick for details rdoudrick@pasadenaconservatory.org.
Although there is growing reason for optimism regarding the Covid-19 pandemic and availability of vaccines in Southern California, we have determined that the safest course for us is to postpone in-person Orff levels training for another summer. We expect to resume Orff training Levels I, II and III in Summer, 2022.
For 2021 we are very excited to offer once again some extraordinary distance learning classes with your Los Angeles County Orff instructors, Patrick Ware, Kerri Lynn Nichols, Richard Lawton, Mika Inouye, and the newest addition to the faculty, Cyndee Giebler.
These sessions have been created from each teacher educator’s passion for Orff education and will use multiple creative strategies to get you moving, playing, writing, thinking, and teaching in new ways. This schedule is an extension of Los Angeles Orff Chapter's mission is to build community and foster collaboration among all teachers in our urban and suburban schools.
Class Descriptions and registration below. All times listed are Pacific Standard Time. All classes -- $100 except got An Experience with Vol. I, II, III & IV - $25 for each one day session.
Reduced tuition available for California college students; contact Course Director, Rachael Doudrick for details rdoudrick@pasadenaconservatory.org.
Week One - June 21-25
Using Ukulele in Orff Schulwerk
Richard Lawton
Tuesday-Friday, June 22-25
8:30-10 am PST, via Zoom
Participants will explore the instructional and performances possibilities for using the ukulele as part of the Orff Schulwerk instrumentarium, including strategies for using the uke as an instructional tool and repurposing the O/S repertoire. No previous training on ukulele required. $100.
Richard Lawton
Tuesday-Friday, June 22-25
8:30-10 am PST, via Zoom
Participants will explore the instructional and performances possibilities for using the ukulele as part of the Orff Schulwerk instrumentarium, including strategies for using the uke as an instructional tool and repurposing the O/S repertoire. No previous training on ukulele required. $100.
An Experience with Volume I
Cyndee Giebler
Monday, June 21
10:30 am -12:00 pm, PST, via Zoom
Uncover the hidden gems found within the covers of the Music for Children Volumes. Explore ways to make these pieces fun, artistic and joyful for today’s students. Bring a soprano recorder and a sense of adventure.
ONE DAY CLASS - $25.
Cyndee Giebler
Monday, June 21
10:30 am -12:00 pm, PST, via Zoom
Uncover the hidden gems found within the covers of the Music for Children Volumes. Explore ways to make these pieces fun, artistic and joyful for today’s students. Bring a soprano recorder and a sense of adventure.
ONE DAY CLASS - $25.
An Experience with Volume II
Cyndee Giebler
Thursday, June 24
10:30 am -12:00 pm, PST, via Zoom
Uncover the hidden gems found within the covers of the Music for Children Volumes. Explore ways to make these pieces fun, artistic and joyful for today’s students. Bring a soprano recorder and a sense of adventure.
ONE DAY CLASS - $25.
Cyndee Giebler
Thursday, June 24
10:30 am -12:00 pm, PST, via Zoom
Uncover the hidden gems found within the covers of the Music for Children Volumes. Explore ways to make these pieces fun, artistic and joyful for today’s students. Bring a soprano recorder and a sense of adventure.
ONE DAY CLASS - $25.
Enhance with BrainDance®
Kerri Lynn Nichols
Monday-Friday, June 21-25
1-2:10 pm, PST, via Zoom
Renew, refresh and restore the mind through the fundamental movement patterns. Enhance cognitive, social-emotional and motor intelligence in educational and communal settings. $100.
Kerri Lynn Nichols
Monday-Friday, June 21-25
1-2:10 pm, PST, via Zoom
Renew, refresh and restore the mind through the fundamental movement patterns. Enhance cognitive, social-emotional and motor intelligence in educational and communal settings. $100.
Orchestration in the Elementary Style
Patrick Ware
Monday-Friday June 21-25
2:30-3:40 pm, PST, via Zoom
Teachers and children alike are drawn to the Schulwerk because of the playfulness and creativity integral to the approach. However, creativity without boundaries loses its impact. Composing, arranging and orchestrating in the elemental style requires study and practice. Together, the class will create musical moments that will allow your students to reach their full creative potential. $100. This class has been cancelled
PREREQUISITE: Completed Level 1 in an AOSA accredited course
Patrick Ware
Monday-Friday June 21-25
2:30-3:40 pm, PST, via Zoom
Teachers and children alike are drawn to the Schulwerk because of the playfulness and creativity integral to the approach. However, creativity without boundaries loses its impact. Composing, arranging and orchestrating in the elemental style requires study and practice. Together, the class will create musical moments that will allow your students to reach their full creative potential. $100. This class has been cancelled
PREREQUISITE: Completed Level 1 in an AOSA accredited course
Trauma Informed Instruction
Patrick Ware
Monday-Friday June 21-25
4 - 5:10 pm, PST, via Zoom
It is one thing to provide a safe nurturing environment for students. It is a very different thing for students to feel safe and nurtured. Teachers are asking, “What can we do to make that connection?” Join the conversation with AOSA’s Diversity and Inclusion Chairperson. $100.
Patrick Ware
Monday-Friday June 21-25
4 - 5:10 pm, PST, via Zoom
It is one thing to provide a safe nurturing environment for students. It is a very different thing for students to feel safe and nurtured. Teachers are asking, “What can we do to make that connection?” Join the conversation with AOSA’s Diversity and Inclusion Chairperson. $100.
Week Two - June 28-July 2
Recorder Improvisation Skills Builder
Richard Lawton
Tuesday-Friday, June 29-July 2
8:30-10 am PST, via Zoom
Improvisation is at the heart of the Orff Schulwerk approach, and an essential component of true musical fluency. This class is for people who wish to create additional authentic music making platforms for their students, whose own improv skills need a tune up, or folks that just want to jam soulfully. All levels welcome. $100. This class has been cancelled
Richard Lawton
Tuesday-Friday, June 29-July 2
8:30-10 am PST, via Zoom
Improvisation is at the heart of the Orff Schulwerk approach, and an essential component of true musical fluency. This class is for people who wish to create additional authentic music making platforms for their students, whose own improv skills need a tune up, or folks that just want to jam soulfully. All levels welcome. $100. This class has been cancelled
Stories That Move
Mika Inouye
Tuesday-Friday, June 29-July 2
10:30 am-12 pm PST, via Zoom
What’s in a story? Another story! Draw from the color, shape, and rhythm of text and illustration, and learn how to generate and organize movement into playful, elemental structures. $100.
Mika Inouye
Tuesday-Friday, June 29-July 2
10:30 am-12 pm PST, via Zoom
What’s in a story? Another story! Draw from the color, shape, and rhythm of text and illustration, and learn how to generate and organize movement into playful, elemental structures. $100.
An Experience with Volume IV
Cyndee Giebler
Monday, June 28
10:30 am -12:00 pm, PST, via Zoom
Uncover the hidden gems found within the covers of the Music for Children Volumes. Explore ways to make these pieces fun, artistic and joyful for today’s students. Bring a soprano recorder and a sense of adventure.
ONE DAY CLASS - $25.
Cyndee Giebler
Monday, June 28
10:30 am -12:00 pm, PST, via Zoom
Uncover the hidden gems found within the covers of the Music for Children Volumes. Explore ways to make these pieces fun, artistic and joyful for today’s students. Bring a soprano recorder and a sense of adventure.
ONE DAY CLASS - $25.
An Experience with Volume III
Cyndee Giebler
Thursday, July 1
10:30 am -12:00 pm, PST, via Zoom
Uncover the hidden gems found within the covers of the Music for Children Volumes. Explore ways to make these pieces fun, artistic and joyful for today’s students. Bring a soprano recorder and a sense of adventure.
NB: Schedule conflict with "Stories That Move."
ONE DAY CLASS - $25.
Cyndee Giebler
Thursday, July 1
10:30 am -12:00 pm, PST, via Zoom
Uncover the hidden gems found within the covers of the Music for Children Volumes. Explore ways to make these pieces fun, artistic and joyful for today’s students. Bring a soprano recorder and a sense of adventure.
NB: Schedule conflict with "Stories That Move."
ONE DAY CLASS - $25.
The Tree of Creativity
Kerri Lynn Nichols
Monday-Friday, June 28-July 2
1 - 2:10 pm, PST, via Zoom
Lifelong educator Kerri Lynn Nichols shares five of her most cherished Orff lessons with children from her vast career. Using the metaphor of a tree, participants will speak, sing, dance, play and grow through the creative process. $100. This class has been cancelled
Kerri Lynn Nichols
Monday-Friday, June 28-July 2
1 - 2:10 pm, PST, via Zoom
Lifelong educator Kerri Lynn Nichols shares five of her most cherished Orff lessons with children from her vast career. Using the metaphor of a tree, participants will speak, sing, dance, play and grow through the creative process. $100. This class has been cancelled
Becoming an Anti-racist Teacher of the Schulwerk
Patrick Ware
Monday-Friday, June 28-July 2
4 - 5:10 pm, PST, via Zoom
Picking up where the LA Orff Trauma Informed Instruction discussion left off, the class will investigate our own biases and presumptions of our students, our classrooms and the system that we work in. It's time to do the work! $100.
PREREQUISITE: Completed “Trauma Informed Instruction” during Summer 2020 or 2021.
Patrick Ware
Monday-Friday, June 28-July 2
4 - 5:10 pm, PST, via Zoom
Picking up where the LA Orff Trauma Informed Instruction discussion left off, the class will investigate our own biases and presumptions of our students, our classrooms and the system that we work in. It's time to do the work! $100.
PREREQUISITE: Completed “Trauma Informed Instruction” during Summer 2020 or 2021.
Composite Schedule
Faculty/Staff
Kerri Lynn Nichols
Kerri Lynn Nichols has been a teacher of Orff-Schulwerk for over thirty years, receiving her Master level Orff certification from UC Santa Cruz and the University of Memphis and attending the international course at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. She is a composer, recording artist, choreographer and accomplished vocalist. Her compositions, choreography and musicals have been commissioned for community projects with children and dance companies such as Kaleidoscope and Enertia of Seattle and local children’s theatre groups.
Kerri Lynn has taught all ages in both the public and private sectors and has presented multiple workshops for state, national and international conferences. She has designed and implemented courses for educators in music through movement, academic integration and brain-based learning. Currently, she teaches PreK-8th grade music at Evergreen Christian School in Olympia, WA and directs The Olympia Peace Choir, which she founded. She is the author of several books and recordings for educators and children. The core of her work is to encourage others to become aware of their abilities and gifts through the magic of music and movement.
Kerri Lynn Nichols has been a teacher of Orff-Schulwerk for over thirty years, receiving her Master level Orff certification from UC Santa Cruz and the University of Memphis and attending the international course at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. She is a composer, recording artist, choreographer and accomplished vocalist. Her compositions, choreography and musicals have been commissioned for community projects with children and dance companies such as Kaleidoscope and Enertia of Seattle and local children’s theatre groups.
Kerri Lynn has taught all ages in both the public and private sectors and has presented multiple workshops for state, national and international conferences. She has designed and implemented courses for educators in music through movement, academic integration and brain-based learning. Currently, she teaches PreK-8th grade music at Evergreen Christian School in Olympia, WA and directs The Olympia Peace Choir, which she founded. She is the author of several books and recordings for educators and children. The core of her work is to encourage others to become aware of their abilities and gifts through the magic of music and movement.
Patrick Ware
Dr. Patrick Ware is an active Orff Schulwerk clinician and choral conductor at the local, state and national levels. With a service to education spanning more than 20 years, Patrick holds a B.A. in Music from Westfield State University, an MS.Ed from Radford University and a DMA from the Shenandoah Conservatory at Shenandoah University. He completed his Level III Orff-Schulwerk Certification and Movement Apprenticeship at George Mason University and apprenticed in Basic Pedagogy at University of Nevada Las Vegas, and currently teaches movement and recorder for the Central Florida University Orff Certification Program, as well as teaching Level II Basic Pedagogy at the Hofstra Orff Certification Program in Hempstead, NY.
Patrick is a National Board Certified teacher in Music/Elementary and Middle Childhood and teaches K-5 General Music and Chorus in Prince William County, Virginia. He has several compositions in print through Beatin’ Path Publications including works for treble choir and works for Orff Ensemble. Special focuses in his classroom and courses include jazz in the elementary setting and the use of children’s literature. Dr. Ware is a past president of the Virginia Elementary Music Educators Association.
Dr. Patrick Ware is an active Orff Schulwerk clinician and choral conductor at the local, state and national levels. With a service to education spanning more than 20 years, Patrick holds a B.A. in Music from Westfield State University, an MS.Ed from Radford University and a DMA from the Shenandoah Conservatory at Shenandoah University. He completed his Level III Orff-Schulwerk Certification and Movement Apprenticeship at George Mason University and apprenticed in Basic Pedagogy at University of Nevada Las Vegas, and currently teaches movement and recorder for the Central Florida University Orff Certification Program, as well as teaching Level II Basic Pedagogy at the Hofstra Orff Certification Program in Hempstead, NY.
Patrick is a National Board Certified teacher in Music/Elementary and Middle Childhood and teaches K-5 General Music and Chorus in Prince William County, Virginia. He has several compositions in print through Beatin’ Path Publications including works for treble choir and works for Orff Ensemble. Special focuses in his classroom and courses include jazz in the elementary setting and the use of children’s literature. Dr. Ware is a past president of the Virginia Elementary Music Educators Association.
Cyndee Giebler
Cyndee Giebler lives and teaches in northeast Wisconsin. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and completed her master’s degree at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. She has presented workshops for American Orff-Schulwerk Association chapters around the country as well as state, regional, and national conventions. In her sparetime, Cyndee enjoys composing and arranging music for classroom use, children’s chorus, and elementary strings.
Cyndee Giebler lives and teaches in northeast Wisconsin. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and completed her master’s degree at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. She has presented workshops for American Orff-Schulwerk Association chapters around the country as well as state, regional, and national conventions. In her sparetime, Cyndee enjoys composing and arranging music for classroom use, children’s chorus, and elementary strings.
Mika Inyoue
Mika Inouye is a performing artist and educator in Durango, Colorado and the Four Corners region. She is a member of 20Moons, a contemporary dance theatre company in Durango, teaches inclusive creative dance classes throughout the school district, and is the elementary music and movement specialist at Juniper School. Mika performs regularly as a pianist with 3rd Ave. Arts, is the artistic director of 3rd Ave. Arts Chamber Music Festival, and co-director of Piano Academy at Fort Lewis College.
Mika completed her Orff certification at the University of Montana, George Mason University and Southern Methodist University (Level III), and apprenticed in movement with Jacque Schrader at University of St. Thomas, with Christa Coogan at San Francisco Orff Course, and with Danai Gagne at Utah State University. She is the founding president of Four Corners Orff Chapter of AOSA and has presented workshops at the AOSA national conference, Hong Kong, Kuwait, and New Zealand.
Mika Inouye is a performing artist and educator in Durango, Colorado and the Four Corners region. She is a member of 20Moons, a contemporary dance theatre company in Durango, teaches inclusive creative dance classes throughout the school district, and is the elementary music and movement specialist at Juniper School. Mika performs regularly as a pianist with 3rd Ave. Arts, is the artistic director of 3rd Ave. Arts Chamber Music Festival, and co-director of Piano Academy at Fort Lewis College.
Mika completed her Orff certification at the University of Montana, George Mason University and Southern Methodist University (Level III), and apprenticed in movement with Jacque Schrader at University of St. Thomas, with Christa Coogan at San Francisco Orff Course, and with Danai Gagne at Utah State University. She is the founding president of Four Corners Orff Chapter of AOSA and has presented workshops at the AOSA national conference, Hong Kong, Kuwait, and New Zealand.
Richard Lawton
Richard Lawton is the general music teacher at The Westland School, an independent elementary school in Los Angeles, an adjunct faculty member at California State University, East Bay in Hayward, CA, and a graduate of the Los Angeles Orff Course. Richard received his M. Mus. and Orff certification at Cal State LA and has done post-level III work at the Arizona State, University of St. Thomas, and University of Missouri, St. Louis courses, as well as shadowing Nick Wild (Villanova/University of the Arts) and Matt McCoy (LA) on recorder. In his classroom he has made blues improvisation and the use of vernacular music learning techniques an area of concentration.
Richard is a past presenter at numerous state and national conferences, including the 2015 and 2017 American Orff Schulwerk Association National Conferences, a member of the General Music Today editorial board and the 2018 California Music Educators Association/Peripole General Music Teacher of the Year.
Richard Lawton is the general music teacher at The Westland School, an independent elementary school in Los Angeles, an adjunct faculty member at California State University, East Bay in Hayward, CA, and a graduate of the Los Angeles Orff Course. Richard received his M. Mus. and Orff certification at Cal State LA and has done post-level III work at the Arizona State, University of St. Thomas, and University of Missouri, St. Louis courses, as well as shadowing Nick Wild (Villanova/University of the Arts) and Matt McCoy (LA) on recorder. In his classroom he has made blues improvisation and the use of vernacular music learning techniques an area of concentration.
Richard is a past presenter at numerous state and national conferences, including the 2015 and 2017 American Orff Schulwerk Association National Conferences, a member of the General Music Today editorial board and the 2018 California Music Educators Association/Peripole General Music Teacher of the Year.
Rachael Doudrick — Course Director
Rachael Doudrick has been an enthusiastic teacher of classroom music to children aged 2-14 in Minnesota and California since 1993. She holds a Master’s Degree of Music Education, Orff-Schulwerk concentration, from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. Her Orff journey began in 1994 at the special summer course at the Orff Institut in Salzburg, Austria. Rachael obtained her Orff certification at Cal State LA and repeated her levels at the University of St. Thomas as part of her graduate studies.
Rachael currently serves as Young Musicians Department Chair and Outreach Department Chair, as well as Young Musicians instructor and Adult Studies instructor at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music (PCM). She supervises a school-wide general and applied music program for elementary students PreK-5 in Pasadena Unified School District and teaches music education methods courses at Pasadena City College. Rachael has presented at the AOSA National Conference, the California State Music Educators Conference, and locally in Southern California.
Rachael Doudrick has been an enthusiastic teacher of classroom music to children aged 2-14 in Minnesota and California since 1993. She holds a Master’s Degree of Music Education, Orff-Schulwerk concentration, from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. Her Orff journey began in 1994 at the special summer course at the Orff Institut in Salzburg, Austria. Rachael obtained her Orff certification at Cal State LA and repeated her levels at the University of St. Thomas as part of her graduate studies.
Rachael currently serves as Young Musicians Department Chair and Outreach Department Chair, as well as Young Musicians instructor and Adult Studies instructor at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music (PCM). She supervises a school-wide general and applied music program for elementary students PreK-5 in Pasadena Unified School District and teaches music education methods courses at Pasadena City College. Rachael has presented at the AOSA National Conference, the California State Music Educators Conference, and locally in Southern California.