Alessandra Santaguida
Maximizing Engagement with Project-Based Learning in the Middle School Music Room

Alessandra is a K-8 Teacher of the Arts teaching in the Halton region. With a Bachelors of Music Therapy and Masters in Education, she is passionate about creating space in music education that promotes student voice and choice, as well as motivate students to be at the centre of their own learning within the music classroom. You can find more lesson ideas @teachfromthestage.

Amy Burns
Free Internet Resources for the Elementary Music Educator

Amy M. Burns has taught PreK-grade 4 general music for over 25 years at Far Hills Country Day School (FH). She also teaches grade 5 instrument class, directs the FH Philharmonic, is the Performing Arts Department Manager, and teaches privately in the after-school conservatory after being the director for over 20 years.

She has authored four books and numerous articles on how to integrate tech into the elementary music classroom. She has presented many sessions on the topic, including four keynote addresses in TX, IN, St. Maarten, and AU. She is the recipient of the 2005 Technology in Music Education (TI:ME) Teacher of the Year, the 2016 New Jersey Music Educators Association (NJMEA) Master Music Teacher, the 2016 Governor’s Leader in Arts Education, and the 2017 NJ Nonpublic School Teacher of the Year Awards.

Burns is also the Community Coordinator for Midnight Music (MMC), the General Music Chair for NJMEA Board of Directors, and the Elementary Music Consultant for MusicFirst, a company built by music educators for music educators, dedicated to helping music teachers and their students make the most of technology in the classroom.

Analisa Byrd
Recorders Drive Me Nuts!

Byrd is a wife, autism mom, and music teacher, 18 years in NEISD. She holds 3 Orff levels, BA’s in Psychology and Music Ed, and a Master’s in Ed Leadership. Her teaching accomplishments include: designing a recorder visual, Magnetix, being a 10-time presenter at TMEA, and establishing/directing, Orff Ensemble, Resonance. Her passion is inclusion.

Ani Silva-Berrios
¡Cantemos y juguemos!

Ani Silva-Berrios is currently teaching K-5th grade general music in Virginia. Previously, Mrs.Silva-Berrios taught K-6th grade general music, along with 5th and 6th grade choir in Kansas, and K-5th grade general music in Florida.

Outside the elementary classroom, she has taught undergraduate and graduate level elementary music methods courses at Missouri Western University, the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory, and Vandercook College.

Ani is an active presenter and clinician having presented for the American Orff Schülwerk Association, various state Music Educators Association Conferences, local Orff Schülwerk chapters and other organizations.

Her passion and dedication for teaching music is evident through the appreciation and love of music shown by her students. Ani earned bachelor's degrees in Music Education and Flute Performance from the University of Central Florida, and a master’s degree in Music Education with an emphasis in the Kodály method from the Hartt School of Music in Hartford, CT. While at Hartt, she earned all levels of Kodály Certifications with John Feierabend, as well as “First Steps in Music” and “Conversational Solfege'' certifications.

Mrs. Silva-Berrios also completed her Orff Schülwerk certification at the University of Memphis. As such, Ani embraces a philosophy that incorporates a blend of both Orff and Kodály, diversity, and inclusivity! When she is not teaching she enjoys crafts, dancing, taking care of her plants, traveling and spending time with her husband, Juan Berrios, a professional musician and educator.

Ashley Cuthbertson
Make Music Matter: Culturally Responsive Curriculum Design

Ashley Cuthbertson, M.Ed, NBCT (she/her) is the Founder & CEO of A. Cuthbertson Consulting, LLC, an educational consulting firm committed to shifting the landscape of music education by helping K-12 music educators develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to deliver instruction that is culturally responsive & relevant to the diverse and ever-changing needs of today's learners so that all students have an equitable pathway to success in music.

Described as an “engaging and charismatic” teacher educator, Ashley has served hundreds of music educators across the U.S. and internationally, helping them to connect music instruction to the cultural frames of reference of their students to more easily attract, engage, and retain students in their music programs. Music educators report that her professional learning programs are “engaging”, “safe”, and provide strategies that “will have a positive impact” on their students and their instruction.

A Nationally Board Certified Teacher, Ashley holds a Master’s in Education, as well as certifications in the Kodály approach and Arts integration. Ashley has over fourteen years of experience in education as a general music & choral educator, a band educator, a K-12 musicianship instructor, a private lessons instructor, lead teacher, new teacher coach, adjunct professor, curriculum writer, speaker, and consultant.

A passionate advocate for music education, Ashley additionally serves the National Association for Music Education as a member of the Music Education Policy Roundtable and the Virginia Music Educators Association as chair of the DEI Council.

Becca Davis
Classroom Management Tips + Tricks

Becca Davis is an elementary music teacher in Savannah, Georgia. She teaches K-5 general music, as well as conducting the 4-5 grade choir, and singing in a local choir as an alto. Becca loves to share actionable tips, tricks, and lessons on her blog, Youtube channel, and TPT shop.

Chesley Talissé-Woodburn
Melodies in Motion: Popular Tunes on Orff Instruments

Chesley Talissé-Woodburn is a graduate of Baldwin Wallace University with a bachelor’s degree in music education and received her masters in music education at Capital University with an emphasis on the Kodaly method – elementary track where she took all 3 of her Kodály levels.

She currently teaches music at Arrowhead Elementary teaching K-5 general music and choir in Ohio. She also was the founder of the music department, and writer and teacher of the kindergarten to eighth-grade general music curriculum at The Richland School of Academic Arts for 11 years. She directed the concert band, beginning band, a cappella choir, concert choir, Orff ensembles, and rock ensemble.

She’s passionate about her students’ stories and their expression through music.

Christa Jones
"¡Bienvenidos a Todos!” - Supporting English Language Learners in the General Music Classroom

Christa Jones holds a master's degree in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music (Chicago, IL) and currently serves on the editorial board of The Orff Echo, the academic journal of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association. She completed three levels of Orff Schulwerk Teacher Education, Orff masterclass, Orff curriculum training, and is certified in First Steps in Music. She is dedicated to empowering music educators with meaningful and practical professional development that inspires and enriches their teaching experiences.

David Bedard
Add to Your Collection of Songs and Activities: Music and Movement for All!

David Bedard is the Early Childhood Music Program Specialist for Daniel’s Music Foundation - a non-profit organization that offers free music instruction for individuals of all abilities and has been with them in a variety of capacities for eighteen years.

In addition, David is an early childhood classroom teacher at The Brick Church School in New York City, and will be going into his fourteenth year come September.

In 2022, David was thrilled to lead a 75-minute session at the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in Washington D.C. titled: "Add to your music collection! Songs and music-and-movement activities that foster kindness, deepen community, and meet children’s social-emotional, cognitive, and motor needs.” Following that presentation, he was consequently invited to be the Keynote Speaker for the United Federation of Teachers’ 15th Annual Early Childhood Conference at UFT Headquarters in 2023.

David plays guitar, sings, and believes in the power that music can have in learning, enriching lives, fostering kindness, deepening a sense of community, and so much more.

David holds a bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education and Psychology from Manhattanville University, and a master’s degree in Literacy Education from NYU’s Steinhardt School of Education.

Debbie O'Shea
Unleash the Aussie Awesome: A Choral Adventure!

Debbie O'Shea embodies a multitude of qualities and passions that define her both personally and professionally. She is an eternal optimist, finding joy in wordplay and puns.

As a highly qualified and experienced music teacher, Debbie fervently believes in the transformative power of music education for every child. Her enthusiasm extends beyond the classroom as she actively supports, connects, and inspires fellow educators through her work at Crescendo Music Education and professional associations.

Debbie thrives on collaboration, regularly presenting workshops and webinars to share her knowledge and learn from others. A lifelong learner, she is committed to continuous growth and development. Debbie holds the esteemed title of nationally accredited Highly Accomplished Teacher, reflecting her dedication and expertise in her field.

Amidst her professional endeavors, Debbie's heart belongs to her loving husband and two adult sons, who bring fulfillment and joy to her life.

Erin Elliott
I Got the Job!  Wait, What Do I Do Now?

Erin Elliott has taught since 2008 and is currently a K-5 elementary music teacher in northern Indiana and the teacher-author behind From Do-Re-Mi To You. With over a decade of teaching experience from kindergarten through college, Erin strives to spark creativity and joy while laying a solid musical foundation in every student. She also mentors college students, both as a college adjunct instructor and in the classroom as a cooperating teacher for field placements.

Erin has received her B.M.E and M.M.E along with a Music Certificate in Oboe Performance. She has also completed all three levels of Orff training through the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.

Gina Vidak
Tune In: Integrating Pop Culture Trends into Music Education

Gina Vidak is a music teacher and small-business owner who creates trendy, engaging resources for music teachers through musicpluscoffee. She has a Bachelor’s Degree of Music Education from Western University and has been teaching elementary music for almost 10 years. Her brand is a fierce advocate for social justice, fueled by a passion for innovation and creativity both inside and outside the classroom.

Janine Slaga
Using Diverse Books in the Music Classroom

Janine is passionate about inquiry-based, child-centered teaching and social justice. She has been teaching choral, instrumental, and general music in international schools for 20 years, but she continues to learn more every day. Janine has extensive experience in curriculum development, inquiry, and concept-based teaching and learning. She shares a wide range of teaching tips, strategies, and reflections on her blog.

Dr. Jennifer Whitehead
Teacher's Pet: Loving Your Voice While Teaching Your Students

Jennifer Whitehead, associate professor of voice at Ohio Wesleyan University, teaches voice and voice-related courses as well as directing music department staged productions, and musical theatre courses. Whitehead is a Columbus, Ohio native and a 2013 graduate of The Ohio State University with a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Voice and Singing Health.

She holds an Estill Techniques Certificate (March 2016)
and a Certificate of Singing Health Specialization (August 2012, Ohio State University Voice Clinic, Columbus, OH) She has appeared in both staged and concert works in central Ohio, where recent roles with Opera / Columbus include Kate Pinkerton in MADAME BUTTERFLY, Guinevere in CAMELOT, Papagena in THE MAGIC FLUTE, and Yum-Yum in THE MIKADO.

Jennifer has also been extensively involved with the Opera / Columbus education and outreach programs, through which she performed roles in the world premieres of the children’s operas BAREFOOT and SOMEBODY’S CHILDREN, as well as Little Red Riding Hood in LITTLE RED’S MOST UNUSUAL DAY. Concert solo performances include engagements with the Davidson University Choral Art Society, (Davidson, NC), Columbus Bach Ensemble, the Columbus Symphony, the Westerville Civic Symphony, the internationally-renowned Carpe Diem String Quartet, and the orchestras and choirs at the Ohio State University, Kenyon College, Otterbein University, and Denison University.

Dr. Whitehead is a frequent lecturer on vocal health for singers and teachers as well as practice strategies for singers. She resides in Westerville, Ohio with her husband and daughter.

Leanna O'Brien
Empower Your Classroom: Transforming Students' Experiences Through Movement

Leanna O'Brien is an expert curriculum designer and professional development expert dedicated to infusing the essence of music into every educational experience. With a focus on creating comprehensive and meaningful curricula, her lessons have enriched over five hundred schools.

Passionate about meaningful movement experiences, she recognizes that music is movement and movement is learning. Integrating ingenious scarf dancing, movement breaks that matter, and activities designed to teach tempo, texture, pitch, articulation, dynamics, and more into all her lessons and musical experiences.

Dedicated to helping teachers feel confident in bringing meaningful lessons into their classrooms, Leanna believes in teaching each student in the way they were meant to learn and teachers the way they were meant to teach– through movement.

By creating meaningful experiences, she ensures students understand and experience the basics of music, from tempo to texture, pitch to dynamics, articulation, and beyond.

Her curriculum is built on experiences and storytelling, recognizing that telling a child a fact may fade, but sharing a story will last a lifetime. Through her dynamic approach, she transforms classrooms struggling with behavior management, lacking understanding of basic music concepts, and devoid of fun into environments every teacher wants to be in.

Leanna founded the Soaring Scarves Academy, a beacon for educators seeking to infuse music and movement seamlessly into their teaching practices. Her carefully crafted curriculum not only engages learners but also supports teachers in creating vibrant, effective classrooms.

Lindsay Rosen
Playing the Pages: Combining Children's Literature, Cross-Curricular Connections, and Orff Schulwerk

Lindsay Rosen is an Orff Specialist, Elementary Music teacher, and a board member of the Ontario Chapter of Carl Orff Canada. She has taught students from kindergarten through 12th grade in both public and private schools. Lindsay facilitates Orff professional learning workshops and loves to connect with teachers from all over the world through virtual workshops and book clubs. She documents her adventures on Instagram at @msrosenmusic.

Michelle Brinkman
RU Ready for This?  Exploring the Possibilities of Keetman's Rhythmische Übung 

Michelle Brinkman has over 25 years experience teaching PreK-8 general music and is currently the K-5 music specialist at Nora Elementary School in Indianapolis, Indiana.

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she also directs a choir, Orff ensemble, and folk dance club at her school. Michelle earned a B.S. with honors in Music Education and a M.M. in Musicology from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana and completed her Orff-Schulwerk Certification and Orff Masterclass at Anderson University.

Michelle has presented at the American Orff-Schulwerk Professional Development Conference, Music Educators Professional Development Conferences in Indiana and Texas, as well as presented Orff workshops throughout the midwest. Michelle is a two-time recipient of the prestigious Teacher Creativity Fellowship from the Lilly Endowment. She currently serves on the editorial board for the INfORM magazine, a professional publication of the Indiana Music Educators Association.

Mollie Schwartz
Making Elementary Choir FUN!

Mollie is an elementary music specialist in Minnesota who loves teaching music through exploration, play, and creativity. She designs engaging lessons and interactive activities that blend fundamental music concepts with playful games, songs, and movement. Mollie has a dynamic teaching style that captivates young students, ensuring that musical learning is a delightful and exciting adventure!

Rachel Ammons
Dyslexia in the Music Classroom

Rachel Ammons has been working in education since 2016 and has spent the last five years working with students with learning disabilities, specifically dyslexia and ADHD. She is passionate about ensuring music class is accessible and equitable for all students.

In any spare time she has, she enjoys playing piano, reading fantasy books, writing stories, and working on her hyper-fixation craft of the moment (which, right now, is making polymer clay earrings). She currently resides in the Columbus Metropolitan Area with her husband, son, and two cats.

Rachel Gunderson
Playful Teaching, Vibrant Learning

Rachel Gunderson recieved her bachelors degree from Brigham Young University in 2019 and then moved to Arizona to teach in the same district she attended as a student growing up. She is passionate about teaching music in playful ways that ignite student curiousity and engagement. She is currently serving as the President of the SongWorks Educators Association, an organization dedicated to playful teaching and vibrant learning! She has presented at workshops for teachers in the Mesa, AZ area as well as at SongWorks conferences for music educators internationally.

Rainy Barton
Creating Sub Plans for the Long(er) Haul

Rainy Barton is an elementary music & middle school theater teacher, and fellow teacherpreneur with a love for creating engaging music lessons for her students.

Rainy helps music teachers instill an appreciation of music into the heart of every child by sharing and creating purposeful curriculum for music teachers through her brand Whimsically Musical. She attended the University of Florida for Music Education, and is currently pursuing her certification in the Orff-Schulwerk Method

When she is not in the music room, she loves spending time with her two kids, reading a good book, or performing aerial arts!

Sandra Hendrickson
Learning Through Movement: Songs, Games, Movement Props 

Sandra Hendrickson is the creative force behind Sing Play Create. With over two decades of experience as an elementary music teacher, Sandra has taught in both public schools and within her own home. Her journey includes active involvement in theater and vocal performance groups, as well as earning an M.Ed. and accumulating over 90 credits in music education coursework and training, including level one Kodály certification.

Sandra's passion for exercise, yoga, and dance has provided valuable insight into the importance of movement activities for effective classroom management and student engagement. She firmly believes in the power of music education to stimulate creativity, nurture musical development, and enrich the overall learning experiences of every child.

Sloane Singleton
Travel the World with your Music Passport

Mrs. Sing is an elementary music teacher who loves to create activities that include cross-curricular elements. Mrs. Sing truly believes that music is universal and every child deserves an opportunity to enjoy music!

Her love for music began when she started piano lessons around age 8. Soon after, she was gifted a fiddle signed by Alison Krauss. Not long after, she joined band and chose the clarinet. Never being satisfied with just playing one instrument, Mrs. Sing's friend taught her to play the flute and her best friend taught her how to play her French horn. More than 25 years later, she's still learning and playing new instruments.

Mrs. Sing graduated from Reinhardt University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s Degree of Music Education with her main focus in French horn and a minor in harp and piano.

Stephanie Leavell
Move It, Move It!: Structured Movement Song Sequences for Classroom Management

Stephanie Leavell, MT-BC is an award-winning songwriter, a music therapist, and the creator of Music for Kiddos, an online education company that provides high-quality music resources and continuing education for music therapists, music educators, and parents. Stephanie is a Berklee College of Music graduate and is passionate about using music to help kids succeed. She specializes in working with babies and kids through age 10.

Stephanie jokes that she has a low tolerance for cheesy music. She writes music to help kids be successful in their daily life: night-time routines, transitions, movement, instrument exploration, academic concepts, and helping kids understand and express their feelings.