Meeting Pattern

• September 20, 2025 - {9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.} NDSU Challey Hall Choir Room
• January 31, 2026 - {9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.} Washington Elementary School, 1725 Broadway N., Fargo, ND
• April 11, 2026 - {9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.; 4:00 p.m. concert} Olivet Lutheran Church, 1330 University Drive South, Fargo, ND

Description

Through attending three separate seminars; participants observe master teachers, collaborate and fully participate through singing and movement.

Guest Lecturers:

Jana Kitamura Martin is in her 22nd year of teaching music, with experiences in PK-12 vocal and general music. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Northern Colorado and Masters in Education in Curriculum and Instruction. She completed her Kodály Certification at New York University, and Orff certification at DePaul University. She also had the opportunity to continue her musical learning by participating in the 2017 Kodály Seminar at the Kodály Institute in Kecskemét, Hungary to learn more about the methodology in the birthplace of Kodály. Martin currently teaches general music and choirs at Highcrest Middle School in Wilmette Public School District 39, and directs the Wilmette High Five Junior Choir for students of all abilities. Martin has been a member of the faculty at the DePaul University Summer Kodály Institute, teaching musicianship classes 2016-2021, and teaching level 3 pedagogy and literature classes at the Kodály Institute at California State University at Bakersfield 2023-2024. Martin is a Member At Large on the OAKE Board of Directors, chair of the OAKE Equity Committee, and serves on the Teacher Education Committee. She has presented professional development sessions for ILMEA (2018, 2020, 2022), OAKE (2022, 2023), and IKS (2023) conferences, as well as local workshops in several states for teachers and university students. 

Laura Quaintance, Music Faculty, Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Fergus Falls, MN.

Syllabus, Objectives, and Outcomes

Objectives:

This course is designed to help teachers promote musical learning in their elementary music students utilizing Kodály methodologies. The areas of musical learning will include creating formative assessments and studying matters of diversity.

Testimonials:

"LOVE THIS COURSE AND CAN STILL EARN CREDITS FOR THESE HOURS!"

"EACH SESSION HAD RELEVANT ACTIVITIES AND LESSONS, AND THE FINAL PAPER WAS A GREAT WAY TO THINK DEEPER ABOUT THE CONTENT LEARNED AND HOW I MIGHT APPLY IT TO MY OWN TEACHING."

"COURSE WAS WELL LAID OUT. I KNEW EVERYTHING THAT WAS EXPECTED OF ME BEFORE I REGISTERED FOR THE COURSE."

“THE FALL WORKSHOP WAS EXCELLENT. THERE WERE SO MANY GREAT TAKE-AWAYS, READY USE LESSON PLAN IDEAS AND THOUGHTS! WHILE I APPRECIATED THE WINTER WORKSHOP, I PERSONALLY PREFER IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS, JUST AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO FEEL A BIT MORE INVOLVED. BEING PUT INTO BREAKOUT ROOMS WITH PEOPLE YOU DIDN'T KNOW WAS A BIT AWKWARD, THOUGH WE MADE IT WORK. IT IS A GOOD WINTER OPTION WHEN HAVING TO CONSIDER OUR WEATHER.”

 “IT WAS ALL VERY GOOD!”

"THIS IS SUCH A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO NOT ONLY IMPROVE MY TEACHING CRAFT BUT TO RECEIVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CREDIT THAT IS RELEVANT TO ME AS A MUSIC TEACHER."

"IT WAS GREAT TO HAVE ACTIVITIES THAT I COULD USE AT SCHOOL RIGHT AWAY."

"THANK YOU FOR OFFERING THE KODALY CREDIT! THE WORKSHOPS ARE FANTASTIC, AND I'M THANKFUL TO LEARN FROM OUR GREAT MUSIC COMMUNITY."

"THE BEST PD IN THE FARGO AREA FOR ELEMENTARY MUSIC!"