Workshop Series & Collegiate Credit

September 12, 2026 9:00-1:00

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

Presenter: Rob DelGaudio

Let’s bring a little theater into the music room! This hands-on workshop explores simple, playful ways to mix music, storytelling, and drama with your students. We’ll sing, move, act, and experiment with skits, puppets, and humor—just like kids naturally do when they play.

You’ll walk away with practical ideas you can use right away, whether you’re new to Orff or just looking for fresh inspiration. Expect to laugh, collaborate, and leave with activities that help students feel confident expressing themselves through music and imagination.

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 20,000 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. 

October 3, 2026   9:00-1:00

Sing, Dance, and Play Around the World

Presenter: Aimee Curtis Pfitzner

Get ready to make connections around the globe with songs, dances and games from the USA and around the world!

Aimee Curtis Pfitzner has dedicated over thirty years to working with children and educators through joyful, playful, and purposeful music making and learning. She holds a Master of Music degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and has completed Orff-Schulwerk certification training through Level I at Bridgewater State University (MA), Levels II and III at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Master’s Level training at the University of Memphis. Aimee is also an approved Level I Orff-Schulwerk Teacher Educator.

Aimee is a frequent presenter at national and international music education conferences and workshops. Her numerous published resources for music educators are available through Beatin’ Path Publications. Beyond her professional work, Aimee is passionate about gardening, adoption, and a wide range of creative pursuits including painting, zendoodling, jewelry making, and sewing.

When she’s not singing, teaching, writing music, or presenting, Aimee shares her thoughts and inspirations on music education through her blog: www.ofortunaorff.com. 

February 6, 2027 9:00-1:00

Process to Performance: Guiding Students to Great Pieces!

Presenter: Dr. Jennifer Patterson

Come learn a variety of ways to process and teach advanced pieces to your students. We’ll build skills students need in fun, engaging ways, and apply those skills to ensemble playing. You’ll also learn games and activities to build a sense of “us” in your classes and ensembles!

Presenter Vita:

Dr. Jennifer Patterson graduated from UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance (BME, 2008), UCM (MA, 2017), and Baker University (EdD in K-12 Leadership, 2026). She is now in her seventeenth year as an elementary music specialist at Warren Hills Elementary in Liberty Public Schools. Dr. Patterson has certifications in both Orff-Schulwerk and Kodaly approaches. Her Orff ensemble, The Treble Makers, has performed four times at the Missouri Music Educators Association In-Service/Conference, and twice at the American Orff-Schulwerk Association conference. She has served MMEA in several roles, is an active clinician for area Orff chapters, school districts, and loves sharing her knowledge and passion with others!

March 13, 2027 9:00-1:00

It Works For Me: Strategies for Adaptive and Inclusive Classrooms

Presenter: Emily Knight

These are simple and fun lessons that you can use for any classroom with side along strategies for students with special needs. Everything has been tested with upper elementary students. From simple classroom rules to swimming with sharks and creeping with carrots, we will have fun and make music together.

Emily Knight has a Master's in Music Education from Kent State University and has been in the classroom for 16 years. She is a board member for the American Center for Elemental Music and Movement. Her husband and four children make their home in Tennessee where they own Ward Grove Christmas Tree Farm. She is a founding member and past president of Quad State Orff and completed her Orff levels in St. Louis. She has participated in several Master Classes for Orff.