Orff-Schulwerk Teacher Education Courses

Registration & Fees

The certification course fee is $600. You may register for the course online. A $150 nonrefundable deposit is due by May 10 (*refundable only if the class is canceled because of low enrollment). The balance of payment for the course is due on or before the first day of classes.

Graduate Credit
You may earn 3 hours of graduate credit from Baker University for an additional fee of $80 per credit (total $240). You are encouraged to enroll online, although you have the option of completing the enrollment and payment for graduate credit on the first day of classes.

On-Campus Housing

Inexpensive housing is available through Baker University. The apartments include private bedrooms, shared bath, and kitchen facilities. Plan to bring your own bedding (extra-long twin) and towels. For more information about registration, credit, and housing, contact the Department of Music and Theatre at 785.594.8478 or email tlyerla@bakerU.edu.

Level I

Level I is for anyone with musical training who wishes to acquire basic knowledge and pedagogic foundations in the Orff-Schulwerk approach. Study of basic Orff techniques, including use of the pentatonic, the simple bordun, the ostinato, and elemental forms; basic body movements and their application to the Schulwerk; soprano recorder; vocal and rhythmic training; and improvisation. Recommended for people who have not previously taken a two-week training course.

Level III

Level III is for anyone who has successfully completed an AOSA-approved level II course. Instruction will review levels I and II technique, emphasizing the teaching process. Students will explore instrumental and vocal improvisation and review modal materials, advanced orchestration including functional harmony (I-V, I-IV, I-IV-B), recorder, and movement. Students will also teach lessons.

Jennifer Donovan: Pedagogy – Level I

Jennifer Donovan teaches at Clear Creek Elementary School in Shawnee, Kansas. She is a past president of the Kansas Orff Chapter and has served on the AOSA National Board of Trustees as Region III representative and treasurer. She served as national conference chair for the 2016 AOSA Conference in Atlantic City and serves in the same position for the 2020 AOSA Conference in Kansas City. Jennifer served on the 2009 and 2018 Kansas Teacher of the Year teams. The 2012 recipient of the World Village Wildcard scholarship, Jennifer attended the JaSeSoiRy World Village in Finland.

Karen Benson: Pedagogy – Level III

Karen K. Benson is the professional development director for the American Orff Schulwerk Association. She is a past president and former national conference chair of AOSA. Recently retired, Karen taught music for grades preK-5 for 29 years in the Millard Public School District in Omaha, Nebraska. She also directed the school’s choir and the district’s Orff Schulwerk Honors Ensemble. Her work as a performing musician includes playing recorders and saxophone and singing as a member of Sing Omaha’s Master Chorale. Karen teaches in several AOSA Teacher Education Levels courses, teaches master classes in Orff Schulwerk, presents at AOSA chapter workshops, guest lectures for collegiate music education classes, and leads sessions at national and state conferences.

Kelly Whisinnand: Recorder – Level I, Level III

Kelly Whisinnand teaches at Reeder Elementary School in Omaha, Nebraska. She teaches preschool through fifth-grade students and conducts the fourth- and fifth-grade choir. She also directs the seventh- and eighth-grade show choirs at Beadle Middle School. Kelly has served as treasurer for the Great Plains Orff Chapter and is currently serving on the AOSA National Board of Trustees. She received her Orff Schulwerk Certification from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Southern Methodist University. She apprenticed with Sarah Richardson to become a movement instructor and with Julie Blakeslee to become a recorder instructor. Kelly presented at the 2016 AOSA National Conference in Atlantic City and the 2019 AOSA National Conference in Salt Lake City

Freedom Brass: Movement – Level I, Level III

Freedom Brass teaches kindergarten through fifth-grade music in Geary County USD 475 in Junction City, Kansas. She completed all three levels of her Orff training as well as master class through Baker University.  Freedom was the USD 475 Kansas Teacher of the Year winner in 2020.  Her interests include performing flute in pit orchestras for the Junction City Little Theatre as well as Junction City High School musical productions.  She loves to hang out with her husband, Ben, her two daughters, and her boxer fur babies.

Greg Gooden: Course Director – Level I, Level III

Greg Gooden retired from a 39-year career as a music teacher in May 2020. The last 15 of those years were spent teaching military children at Fort Riley Elementary School. He is the director of the Geary County Children’s Choir and previously directed the McPherson Arts Council Children’s Choir. He is a past president of the Kansas Orff Chapter. Greg was the Elementary Outstanding Music Teacher of the Year in 2006 and 2012 for the North Central District KMEA. He was a presenter at the 2005 AOSA National Conference in Birmingham and the 2006 National Conference in Omaha. Greg has been the Orff course director at Baker University since its inception there. He retired from serving as the recorder instructor at the end of 2021.