Summer Music Academy at the UofA: Levels One and Three

Jennifer Hoag Maynes was the recipient of the Chapter President's Award this summer. Click "read more" to read below for her thoughts on the entire Level One experience.

Jennifer Hoag Maynes:


I was very excited for Level 1 Orff. Until I went to class. And then I was scared and felt completely out of my league and wanted to drop the course. I was really that scared. I went to school and came home and did homework. Eventually Week 1 was finished and I was starting to feel more myself again. Week 2 was much better. I decided to stop being scared and feeling inadequate all the time. I asked for help when I needed it and started to enjoy myself. It was a good decision I made. I enjoyed the second week much more than the first. From this class, I will take with me greater confidence! I have a great list of reference books (pedagogy, practise, picture books) and have great people who make me feel like I am on a team, since being a music teacher is a bit lonely sometimes. I  bring a desire to incorporate more creative movement into my classroom and a goal to create my own ‘Orff piece’ and have my students try it out! Thank you for supporting me in furthering my music education.

Here are some photos of the amazing work our Orff Level participants showcased. What an inspiring few weeks of music making!