NC Music Educator Journal - Conference 2023

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or ideas!
Sessions
Make Your Orff-Schulwerk Pop
Learn how popular music can be used as a resource with Orff-
Schulwerk activities to benefit student learning in the elementary
music classroom. We will explore how to choose popular music
for use in Orff-Schulwerk activities, how to design Orff-Schulwerk
arrangements with classroom instruments using popular music,
and discuss ideas for incorporating creativity, improvisation, and
composition into Orff-Schulwerk lessons with popular music.
Attendees will engage in performing popular music Orff arrangements
and activities.
Grab Your Uke and Orff We Go
Engage in activities illustrating how the ukulele can be used
as a resource with Orff-Schulwerk activities and can benefit
student learning in the general music classroom. The presenter
will demonstrate activities that utilize the ukulele, both as a music
educator’s resource and as a classroom instrument for music students.
Ideas for ways to incorporate the ukulele into Orff-Schulwerk general
music lessons will be demonstrated and presented. Attendees are
encouraged to bring their ukuleles!
Dr. Karen S. Thomas
Dr. Karen S. Thomas is a visiting assistant professor of music
education at Appalachian State University. She earned a Ph.D. in
music education, Post-Baccalaureate certificate in ethnomusicology,
M.M. in music education, and B.A. in music from UNC Greensboro.
She taught general music in the North Carolina public schools for
13 years. She holds Level 1 certification in music learning theory,
elementary general music, and Orff-Schulwerk certification (Levels
I, II, and III). Thomas was previously an assistant professor of
general music education at the University of Utah, and served as an
adjunct instructor of music at Winston-Salem State University and at
Appalachian State University.
Stomp, Drum, & Dance
Everyone can drum, and everyone can dance! Experience this
unique integration of body and mind while exploring movements,
rhythm, and creative self-expression, with the celebration of music at
its core. The innovative activities presented in this session are based
on lessons and games from the Drums Alive original brain-and-body
drumming fitness program and its Rhythm in Motion module. Learn
how to combine music, movement, and dance to illustrate musical
form, layer instrumental ostinati, demonstrate dynamics, and more!
In addition, discover how to hold space for creativity, honoring the
process of exploration and collaboration as students experience
creative self-expression through movement and music.
interpretation with kinesthetic awareness, neuromuscular skills,
and socialization and wellness activities. Discover how to adapt and
modify music and movement drumming activities and games to
accommodate physiological, emotional, and cognitive needs that
support everyone, regardless of age or ability.
DRUMTASTIC
Experience the joy of drumming and movement while improving
physical, cognitive, and social-emotional health! Using music, stability
balls, and drumsticks, DRUMTASTIC lessons follow a cross-curricular
design that ignites creativity, encourages self-expression, and promotes
active engagement and teamwork. Participate in brain and body games
and activities for all ages and abilities and learn how to integrate
DRUMTASTIC into your classrooms!
Kelly Jackson
Kelly Jackson, a retired music educator from the metro Atlanta
public school system, spent her career teaching general/choral music,
voice, piano, music theory, and musical theater to students ages 4
through 70. She received her B.M. in music education from Furman
University, M.M. in choral conducting from Eastman School of
Music, and Ph.D. in music education from Northwestern University.
She maintains qualifications in the fields of ESOL, gifted, elementary
education, and English (6 – 12); holds Level III Orff Schulwerk
certification; and served on the editorial board of the national peerreviewed
journal, The Orff Echo. She is sought after as an accompanist
at the regional and state level; serves as an adjudicator in choral music,
piano, and theater; and has been involved in numerous productions as
a director and performer. She currently resides in Jackson County.
Expanding the Toolbox for Classroom
Management Using a Brain-Based Approach
Teachers need to know content and classroom management
strategies to run a successful elementary general music classroom that
promotes learning, exploration, creativity, and collaboration. Using
the metaphor of content as the train and classroom management as
the tracks, the train will be able to run only as well as the tracks are
properly laid and maintained. Between limited classroom management
strategies provided for teachers and challenging student behaviors,
it’s all too easy to find the best planned lesson with the most engaging
content derailed and the most enthusiastic teacher feeling deflated.
Strengthen the train tracks of classroom management by learning
the basic neuroscience behind common student behaviors, as well as
simple strategies to reduce stress, promote connection, and increase
emotional regulation in the elementary general music classroom.
TRANSFORM. EXPLORE. INSPIRE.
The School of Music is pleased to welcome to the faculty:
Prof. Janinah Burnett Visiting Asst. Professor of Voice
Dr. Luke Ellard Visiting Asst. Professor of Clarinet
Prof. Lindsay Kesselman Visiting Asst. Professor of Voice
Dr. Jungho Kim Director of Orchestras and Assoc. Professor
of Conducting
Prof. Emily Milius Visiting Asst. Professor of Music Theory
Dr. Courtney Miller Asst. Professor of Oboe
Dr. Stephanie Ycaza Asst. Professor of Tuba and Euphonium
AUDITION DATES FOR 2023-24
December 2, 2023 February 10, 2024
January 27, 2024 February 24, 2024*
*priority deadline for scholarship/assistantship consideration
DEGREE PROGRAMS
Bachelor of Arts Doctor of Musical Arts
Bachelor of Music Doctor of Philosophy
Music Minor
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Master of Music Post-Masters Certificate
Prof. Janinah Burnett
Visiting Asst. Professor of Voice
Dr. Luke Ellard
Visiting Asst. Professor of Clarinet
Prof. Lindsay Kesselman
Visiting Asst. Professor of Voice
Jen Lerma
Jen Lerma is a licensed clinical social worker and relational
therapist who works in private practice with children and families to
increase connection, improve emotional regulation, and help families
create more meaningful moments together. She frequently collaborates
with teachers, occupational therapists, speech therapists, pediatricians,
psychologists, psychiatrists, and school counselors to best support
Ability Beats: From Impossible to I’M Possible
children across environments. Upon graduating from Shepherd
Drums Alive Ability Beats’ multi-sensory, all-inclusive, interactive
University with a Bachelor of Music Education, and prior to becoming
program empowers participants with the ability to achieve healthy
a therapist, she was a military musician in the U.S. Navy Band. After
and happy lives through a “No Limitations” social-emotional health
being stationed in Naples, Italy and observing how children from all
and wellness experience. Learn how to foster creativity through
over the world can be moved by music and respond to it more openly
comprehensive brain and body exercises that integrate musical
and freely than adults, she was eager to create a classroom atmosphere
Dr. Jungho Kim
Prof. Emily Milius
Dr. Courtney Miller
Dr. Stephanie Ycaza
Director of Orchestras
Visting Asst. Professor of Music Theory Asst. Professor of Oboe
24 | NORTH CAROLINA MUSIC EDUCATOR NORTH Asst. CAROLINA Professor MUSIC of Tuba EDUCATOR & Euphonium | 25