Making space in our music place:
​using creativity and improvisation -
​Foundations of orff
September 25, 2024
Kim Friesen Wiens

SING Well: A voice toolkit to speaking and singing with longevity
WORKSHOP #1: OCTOBER 15, 2024
WORKSHOP #2: MARCH 4, 2025

​Kim denis and SABLE CHAN 

EARTH SONGS FOR CHILDREN
NOVEMBER 2, 2024
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SHERRYL SEWEPAGAHAM ​

In this session we will explore foundational aspects of Orff Schulwerk, specifically delving into how creativity and improvisation is integral to all stages (and ages) of the learning process. Drawing on her recent experience in an Ewe village in Ghana as well as using music from blockbuster summer movies, Kim will showcase how using Orff Schulwerk media may provide opportunities for the increasingly diverse student population to feel seen and heard. This FREE after school session is geared towards new music teachers, and teachers in the first few years of their career.
​Kim is an Orff teacher educator for Levels II and III and course director at the University of Alberta. She has been teaching elementary music (pre-kindergarten through grade six) for over 20 years in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Kim is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Alberta in elementary music education with a focus on culturally responsive and sustaining practices.​

This two part Orff series covers topics such as: 
● Basic overview of the larynx and anatomical components for voice production
​● Voice warm-ups for speaking and singing 
● Exercises to improve vocal flexibility and stamina 
● Exploring different vocal registers and how to use them effectively and safely
● Working with developing voices and safely demonstrating for students
​● How to recover a sick voice 
This session is focused on the hands-on, interactive trial of voice techniques. These skills will help maintain your voice longevity and strengthen your vocal muscle to help build strength, flexibility, and expressivity. It will also provide you with tools to support your students struggling with their own voice concerns.
Kimberley Denis is known for her energy and enthusiasm both on stage and off and is sought after as a soloist, conductor, adjudicator and choir clinician.  Upon completion of both a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Music at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, she returned to Alberta to pursue a double Masters degree in choral conducting and vocal performance at the University of Alberta.  She has won many accolades for her work as a soprano soloist and conductor, and was recently awarded a Con Spirito Award from Choir Alberta for her work supporting choral music in Alberta and the Alberta Band Association Award of Distinction for her contributions to supporting music education in the province. She is a singer with Edmonton’s professional choir, Pro Coro Canada and has a flourishing voice studio at her own music school – the Purple Door Music Academy. She is also the voice instructor at The King’s University in Edmonton and presently directs Shumayela (a choir for treble and changing voices for singers between the ages of 11 and 16) with the Korora Choir Association and the River City Chorus (a non-auditioned adult community ensemble).  In addition to her work as a singer, teacher, conductor, and adjudicator, she arranges pieces for choirs.

Sable is a professional choral singer in Edmonton. She has sung with ensembles such as, Pro Coro Canada, Edmonton Opera Chorus, Canadian Chamber Choir, and is co-founder and singer with FEMME Vocal Ensemble. Sable has also been working as a Speech-Language Pathologist in private practice and specializing in the area of voice therapy for the past 12 years. She is also the author of The Choir Girl Blog, where she publishes articles and interviews with choral individuals from across Canada. Most recently, Sable was named Top 40 Under 40 by Edify Magazine for their Class of 2019. 

Join Cree-Dene artist and educator, Sherryl Sewepagaham, in an interactive workshop focusing on her land-based, earth songs for children. Sherryl's songs for the music or general classroom brings in Cree teachings and language immersed in drum, rattle, and stick songs, while incorporating the Orff instrumentarium. Participants will learn original songs and revised favourites that K-6 students will enjoy. 
Sherryl Sewepagaham is Cree-Dene from the Little Red River Cree Nation in Northern Alberta. She is a PhD ethnomusicology student at UBC and is an experienced music educator, music therapist, choral composer, and performing artist. Her research centres on decolonization, integrating Cree language, pedagogy, and musical traditions within music education, choral composition, and her artistic endeavours. As a member of the 2006 Juno-nominated trio, Asani, they have achieved international recognition, toured extensively, and released two award-winning albums. Sherryl's advocacy extends to supporting Cree language preservation in both academic research and community engagement. Sherryl is a proud recipient of a 2024 Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. 

Sing, Say, Move, Play -
​Bring the Joy Everyday!
February 1, 2025
​Heather NAil

​Get ready to sing and say, move and play! This hands-on workshop will inspire with a wide variety of kid tested, kid approved material, and give your students something to be joyful about! Material presented will be adaptable across multiple grade levels. Through playful exploration and improvisation, participants will speak, move, play and sing, balancing musical self-discovery and creativity with FUN!
Heather Nail has been an Orff Music Specialist for the Calgary Board of Education for 24 years. She holds Orff level three certification, and has a Master of Education degree, specializing in Elementary Music. Heather co-teaches the Introductory Orff level in Calgary, and in 2010 she was a semi-finalist in the Alberta Excellence in Teaching awards. She is currently the President of Carl Orff Canada, and presents regularly at music conferences in western Canada and beyond. In her spare time, Heather conducts the Westside Junior Concert Choir and mentors emerging music teachers in Calgary. Heather is deeply passionate and committed to the Orff philosophy and serving other music educators in their Orff journey.

Children's Day: Voices in Motion: Creating Harmony Through Movement and Song
April 5, 2025
​Carmen so and Laurel Nikolai

Join master educators Carmen So and Laurel Nikolai as they share their pedagogical expertise teaching young music educators song and dance. Witness the process of first meeting a new group of children, through the journey of teaching music and movement, an awe inspiring process in which the children learn new repertoire, culminating in a sharing session that will leave teachers and audience members inspired. Students will have the expertise of building connection through music and movement. Educators and families are invited to watch the choral Orff process and witness the power of community music making and the power of arts education at its finest.
Laurel Nikolai is an arts educator who has taught students from pre-K through graduate students. Her teaching career has spanned Canada, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates. Laurel holds her Master of Education degree from the University of Alberta where she has taught courses in music and dance pedagogy including the movement component for Orff levels. Laurel is currently a music specialist with Edmonton Public school teaching K-6 students. Laurel served on the Alberta Orff Chapter board for 16 years including her term as chapter president. She has served on Carl Orff Canada as National Secretary and as a  member of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion committee and the Editorial Board. Laurel is the newly elected First-Vice-President of Carl Orff Canada and she looks forward to sharing her dedication to arts education with music and dance specialists across Canada.
Carmen So is known for her passion, creativity, and innovation in the music learning process. Ms. So is the founding director of Kokopelli's children's choir, Kikimasu, which was featured in a spotlight concert at the prestigious national PODIUM Conference in 2016. She has also taught with the Edmonton Public School Board for 18 years and is currently the music specialist at Rutherford School. She attained both her Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education combined degrees (2004) and a Master of Education degree specializing in Elementary Music (2015) from the University of Alberta. Ms. So holds a Level III certification in Orff Schulwerk and Kodály and is working towards certification in Dalcroze. In the summer of 2014, she had the privilege of studying choral conducting with renowned conductor and composer, Henry Leck. As a lifelong learner, she is always searching for opportunities to learn and adores all things involving creative pedagogical practices. She is inspired by working with musicians from all walks of life and feels blessed to have such a wonderful career as a music educator. ​