Join four BAKE board members as they present Kodály inspired activities from kindergarten, through upper elementary grades, including strategies for older beginners.

James Allen’s workshop is an exploration into techniques on ancient and powerful  percussion instruments, taking you deep into improvisation and composition.  Delve into the four elements of the earth while using movement, drumming and speech to produce a musical and visual tapestry. Explore playful speech pieces combined with body percussion and unpitched instruments. Plus folk dancing, lots of group interaction and a serious sense of play and inclusiveness will bring us all together at this workshop. You will leave with tools to apply to your lessons as well as strengthened skills in improvisation and composition.

IN PERSON

This two-part workshop explores developmentally appropriate strategies to inspire singing and participation with the youngest and oldest learners in the elementary music room.

Part 1 focuses on joyful, play-based approaches for kindergarteners, including vocal exploration, echo songs, movement games, and activities that build vocal confidence and classroom community.

Part 2 shifts to upper grades, offering practical techniques to re-engage older students through relevant repertoire, collaborative music-making, and confidence-building strategies that honor their growing independence. Leave with ready-to-use ideas for both age groups and a deeper understanding of how to meet students where they are—musically, emotionally, and developmentally.

ONLINE