Your 2018-2019 LACAOSA Board
laorffchapter@gmail.com

Richard Lawton - Chapter President

Richard Lawton teaches K-5 general music at Roscomare Road School in Los Angeles.  Richard completed his Orff Levels at Cal State LA, what is now the Los Angeles Orff Course, as well as additional training at the Villanova and Arizona State University Orff Courses. He is a member of the Orff Echo Editorial Board.


Tammy Moran - Vice President

Tammy Moran graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from California State University, Los Angeles where she also obtained Orff Level certifications I, II, and III. She teaches grades K-5 at Crossroads School in Santa Monica.


Alex Morales - Past President

Alex Morales has served on the LA Orff Board since 1993 in a variety of capacities: Membership, Treasurer, Vice-president, and twice as President. Alex did Levels I, II, and III at Cal State LA and also retook Level I at SMU.  He is the PS-4th Music Specialist at St. Matthew's Parish School in Pacific Palisades.


Erin Tompkins - Treasurer

Erin Tompkins received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Violin Performance from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.  She completed all three levels of the Orff Schulwerk Certification Program at the San Francisco school under the direction of Doug Goodkin.  Erin teaches PK-6 general music at Echo Horizon School in Culver City.


Aaron Williams - Membership

Aaron Williams is an accomplished percussionist, tap dancer, pianist, composer, and music educator, originally from Kansas City, Missouri. Soon after moving to Los Angeles, Aaron was introduced to Orff Schulwerk and has been hooked ever since. He completed Orff training for Levels I and II in Los Angeles, and he completed Level III in San Francisco. Aaron currently teaches K-6th grade at Children’s Community School in Van Nuys, CA.


Gianluca Bersanetti - Secretary

Gianluca Bersanetti has been writing and teaching music for almost 30 years. He has completed Orff Levels I-III at Cal State LA, and served on the LACAOSA board as president and other capacities for the last 15 years. Currently he is a music specialist for Pre-K through Grade 2 at Turning Point School, in Culver City, CA.


Debra Shrader - College Liaison

Debra Shrader arranges College Credit for special events for the Los Angeles Chapter.  She recently retired after teaching thousands of children in Long Beach and Palos Verdes.  Having completed Level III of the Orff-Schulwerk, Debra believes that the method is the best for engaging children AND adults in creative music.


At Large Board Members

Samantha Miller
​Bonnie Robinson
Terry Brockmann
Mary Daval
Frank LaGuardia
Aiko Anglim
Sarah Shaffner

Other Contacts

Sister Orff chapters and other regional music education organizations:

Orange County Chapter American Orff Schulwerk Association
Inland County Chapter American Orff Schulwerk Association
San Diego Chapter American Orff Schulwerk Association
Northern California Chapter American Orff Schulwerk Association
American River Orff Schulwerk Association
Central California Music Fusion

Kodály Association of Southern California
Northern California Association of Kodály Educators
California Music Educators Association

National organizations:

American Orff Schulwerk Association
Organization of American Kodály Educators
National Association for Music Educators