Level I comments:
- I wish I had taken this course years ago! The material is amazing and the strategies for organization priceless to me. Can't wait to stock up on more ideas at the workshops and next summer. Thank you!
- I plan to recommend this course to others. Kodály is a fantastic approach - it simply works. Professors were wonderful - I learned so much. I had not initially planned on taking a course beyond Level I, but this course has made me into a convert. I definitely want to come back!
- I think Christopher did an amazing job role modeling and being an example. So many trainings don't explain the "how" and he was outstanding with that. He was so well planned, so well rehearsed, every lesson was seamless. His experience was helpful and he always had a good answer.
- I've grown significantly through this course, both personally and professionally. I didn't know what to expect outside of pedagogy - and was surprised at how much the musicianship, choir, and conducting courses have done for me. I am moved to begin to develop more of my own musicianship after being a part of this experience for two intensive weeks. I have lost so much of myself in my teaching these last few years that I have forgotten to develop my own musicianship and foster my own love of music. Thank you for inspiring me and for being such great instructors. What a gift!
- As a band conductor, I've always been a bit of a skeptic about teaching general music - I just didn't think it was "my thing." I am now a convert to the church of teaching/learning music. I feel revived as a teacher and as a musician after everything I've learned here -- I'm sad that it's over, but I feel prepared and excited for school in the fall. Thank you!
- Having the key concepts repeated in different classes was very effective for me. Each instructor explained things in a slightly different way which helped me gain different viewpoints for the concepts. For example, solfege and handsigns were used in all the classes but for different purposes -- for teaching students, for learning new songs, for sight reading, to learn intervals, and to learn different modes.
Level II
- Sarah, you are fabulous and where have you been all my life? :) I feel really lucky to have had you as a prof.
- I love this course, and have used everything I learned in Level I. The location is easy to find, and it has free parking! The teachers know their "stuff" and share their knowledge efficiently and generously. After Level I, I was astounded by how much my musicianship has improved, and I can already tell that I have again grown as a musician through Level II.
- Christopher, you are such an excellent teacher - knowledged, patient, and invested.
- Darcy: I love your humor, pacing, and the tools for the toolkit. Can't wait for Level III.
Level III
- I don't know where to begin explaining how fabulous this year of Kodály was. After last year, I saw more growth and progress in my students than ever before, and the retrieval system really helped me become a more effective planner - it transformed my teaching. This year, though, I have been blown away by the growth I have made and the level to which our instructors have pushed us. I can already see and feel the difference in my conducting and musicianship, and I know that combining those with the skills I learned from Rita last year are going to make my teaching going forward better than ever. Thank you all for this most unique and life-changing experience, it has been incredible, and you all are the most inspiring teachers.
- In conducting, I appreciate Darcy's approach and her preparedness. She is such a powerhouse teacher and master conductor, I am so glad we had the chance to work with her.
- Sarah B was an awesome addition! She provided another lens for application of the approach....AWESOME!
- In musicianship, I was incredibly challenged, yet I felt supported and encouraged by Kelly's instruction. She provided challenging materials and kept her expectations high while "modifying" for the group as needed. I never felt intimidated, only challenged.
- I wish I had taken this course years ago! The material is amazing and the strategies for organization priceless to me. Can't wait to stock up on more ideas at the workshops and next summer. Thank you!
- I plan to recommend this course to others. Kodály is a fantastic approach - it simply works. Professors were wonderful - I learned so much. I had not initially planned on taking a course beyond Level I, but this course has made me into a convert. I definitely want to come back!
- I think Christopher did an amazing job role modeling and being an example. So many trainings don't explain the "how" and he was outstanding with that. He was so well planned, so well rehearsed, every lesson was seamless. His experience was helpful and he always had a good answer.
- I've grown significantly through this course, both personally and professionally. I didn't know what to expect outside of pedagogy - and was surprised at how much the musicianship, choir, and conducting courses have done for me. I am moved to begin to develop more of my own musicianship after being a part of this experience for two intensive weeks. I have lost so much of myself in my teaching these last few years that I have forgotten to develop my own musicianship and foster my own love of music. Thank you for inspiring me and for being such great instructors. What a gift!
- As a band conductor, I've always been a bit of a skeptic about teaching general music - I just didn't think it was "my thing." I am now a convert to the church of teaching/learning music. I feel revived as a teacher and as a musician after everything I've learned here -- I'm sad that it's over, but I feel prepared and excited for school in the fall. Thank you!
- Having the key concepts repeated in different classes was very effective for me. Each instructor explained things in a slightly different way which helped me gain different viewpoints for the concepts. For example, solfege and handsigns were used in all the classes but for different purposes -- for teaching students, for learning new songs, for sight reading, to learn intervals, and to learn different modes.
Level II
- Sarah, you are fabulous and where have you been all my life? :) I feel really lucky to have had you as a prof.
- I love this course, and have used everything I learned in Level I. The location is easy to find, and it has free parking! The teachers know their "stuff" and share their knowledge efficiently and generously. After Level I, I was astounded by how much my musicianship has improved, and I can already tell that I have again grown as a musician through Level II.
- Christopher, you are such an excellent teacher - knowledged, patient, and invested.
- Darcy: I love your humor, pacing, and the tools for the toolkit. Can't wait for Level III.
Level III
- I don't know where to begin explaining how fabulous this year of Kodály was. After last year, I saw more growth and progress in my students than ever before, and the retrieval system really helped me become a more effective planner - it transformed my teaching. This year, though, I have been blown away by the growth I have made and the level to which our instructors have pushed us. I can already see and feel the difference in my conducting and musicianship, and I know that combining those with the skills I learned from Rita last year are going to make my teaching going forward better than ever. Thank you all for this most unique and life-changing experience, it has been incredible, and you all are the most inspiring teachers.
- In conducting, I appreciate Darcy's approach and her preparedness. She is such a powerhouse teacher and master conductor, I am so glad we had the chance to work with her.
- Sarah B was an awesome addition! She provided another lens for application of the approach....AWESOME!
- In musicianship, I was incredibly challenged, yet I felt supported and encouraged by Kelly's instruction. She provided challenging materials and kept her expectations high while "modifying" for the group as needed. I never felt intimidated, only challenged.