A Playful Mind: Powerful Procedures and Enhancing Creativity through the Schulwerk

There’s always a place for creation – a folk dance with a twist, a chance to explore the xylophone, or an opportunity to see what your body can do with one word – but pulling these ideas from our students can be challenging. Let’s go back to the Schulwerk roots of playfulness, discovery, and wonder as we explore these ideas and more through student-led choices, improvisation, risk-taking, and more. Plus, we’ll unearth the power of procedures and how a welcoming and inclusive space builds respectful learners and enhances the Schulwerk experience. Join us for our musical Orff journey!

Matthew Stensrud is an internationally-acclaimed and award-winning Elementary Music and Movement Teacher and serves as President-Elect of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association. He currently teaches PK-4 music and movement at Sidwell Friends Lower School in Washington, DC. He received his Master of Music Education from George Mason University and Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, is an Orff Schulwerk approved Teacher Educator of Movement, and teaches Movement Levels in New Jersey and Oregon. He was a key content contributor to the book Responsive Classroom for Music, Art, PE and Other Special Areas and is well-known on social media as @MisterSOrff. Learn more on his Patreon page, www.patreon.com/mistersorff.

Break a Leg! Imagination & Drama in the Elementary Music Classroom

What happens when we give students permission to imagine, to play, and even to be a little silly? In this hands-on workshop, participants will explore how dramatic play transforms the music classroom into a space where there is room for creativity. Through storytelling, character work, movement, puppetry, and musical skits students are allowed to make artistic choices that deepen expression and ownership in performance.

Rob DelGaudio is a composer and elementary music educator based in the New York City area. He holds a B.M. and M.M. from Manhattan School of Music and Hofstra University and has completed Orff Levels training at Hofstra University, Villanova University, and George Mason University.

As the creator of Music With Mr. DelGaudio, a YouTube channel with over 25,000 subscribers, Rob shares original songs and engaging lesson ideas for music educators. He is also a graduate of the prestigious BMI Musical Theatre Writing Program and serves as the creative director of his own theater company, Pancake Productions.

Beyond his work in music education and theater, Rob leads the Tarrytown Ukulele Jam and is the author of Music, a Barnes & Noble exclusive book.

Join us for our POSA Chapter Share, a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas, share favorite lessons and student-centered activities, and learn from one another! Together, we’ll grow as educators, gather fresh inspiration, and bring new ideas back to our classrooms.

And what’s not to love about free PD?

Orff & Kodály together? Yes!

Join us at PSU to explore the Orff & Kodály methods

and how both can be used in the music room using the same materials

Plus, what’s not to love about free PD?