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The West Michigan Orff Chapter (WMOC) is a chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA). We offer professional development workshops for music and classroom teachers throughout West-Central Michigan. Our Saturday workshops feature well-known Orff clinicians as well as other professionals whose work can be valuable to music teachers at all levels. This years onsite workshops will be held in the Wyoming and Allendale area. This website is part of our mission to make our services available to all interested professionals.
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Please note: Our National organization (AOSA) has adopted a unified fee structure for all Chapters as of July 1, 2022. In order to be a member of the local chapter, teachers must now be a member of AOSA. This change falls inline with other national music organizations.
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Orff Level 1 Opportunity
Summer 2025 Location: Allendale Early Childhood Center 10455 Timberline Drive, Allendale, MI 49401 Dates: July 7-July 18, 2025 Time: 8:30-4:30 Monday thru Friday Instructors: Sandy Lantz & Gretchen Wahlburg Cost: $1000, SCECHs or Graduate Credit available |
Limited Space: If interested, please register. A $100 non refundable down payment is due for registrants by February 28. Remainder of payment is due by June 1, 2025.
Please make checks payable to WMOC with Level 1 Course in the memo.
Please mail to: Tami Nelson, WMOC Treasurer, 4475 Sutton Place SW, Grandville, MI 49418
If you have questions, use the contact form at the bottom of the page.
Please make checks payable to WMOC with Level 1 Course in the memo.
Please mail to: Tami Nelson, WMOC Treasurer, 4475 Sutton Place SW, Grandville, MI 49418
If you have questions, use the contact form at the bottom of the page.
2024 - 2025 Workshop Schedule
"Wheel of Emotion"
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Clinician: Kelly Whisinnand
March 8, 2025 Host: Tami Nelson Location: Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center, Wyoming, MI Workshop: 9:00 - 1:00 p.m., registration is open at 8:30 a.m. Cost: AOSA Members $50 non-AOSA Members $65 4 Hours of FREE SCECH Available |
Description: Emotions guide our musical world in so many ways! How a piece makes you feel and respond is a magical thing about music! Come on an adventure of singing, speaking, playing, moving, and creating using a wide range of emotions!
Biography: Kelly Whisinnand teaches PreK-5th music at Reeder Elementary. She has a Bachelors in Music Education at UNL and a Masters in Music Education from UNO. Kelly directs the 4th/5th Reeder choir, two 7th/8th Beadle show choirs, and is the kids musical theater director at SNJ studios. She recently served on the NBT for AOSA. She is an Orff Certified Teacher Educator for Recorder and Movement and is a clinician for workshops, courses, and conferences.
Biography: Kelly Whisinnand teaches PreK-5th music at Reeder Elementary. She has a Bachelors in Music Education at UNL and a Masters in Music Education from UNO. Kelly directs the 4th/5th Reeder choir, two 7th/8th Beadle show choirs, and is the kids musical theater director at SNJ studios. She recently served on the NBT for AOSA. She is an Orff Certified Teacher Educator for Recorder and Movement and is a clinician for workshops, courses, and conferences.
"Back to Basics"
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Clinician: Betsy Sebring
April 19, 2025 Host: Tami Nelson Location: Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center, Wyoming, MI Workshop: 9:00 - 1:00 p.m., registration is open at 8:30 a.m. Cost: AOSA Members $50 non-AOSA Members $65 4 Hours of FREE SCECH Available |
Description: This will be a great workshop for those who are new to the Orff approach of teaching music, but will also be great for experienced music teachers. This workshop will briefly hit the major tenets of active music making in a classroom setting: sing, say, move, play, and above all CREATE. Participants will experience simple, elemental rhythms and melodies through a variety of media and have lots of opportunities to refresh the fundamental elements of teaching with an Orff approach.
Biography: Betsy Sebring teaches elementary and preschool music in Washington DC. She served on AOSA’s national board as a Regional Representative and later as Treasurer. She attended the Orff Institute Special Course in 2010-2011. Betsy presents workshops locally and nationally. She has taught all 3 levels of Basic Orff Schulwerk Certification, but currently teaches Level II at the University of Kentucky and Level III at George Mason University.
Biography: Betsy Sebring teaches elementary and preschool music in Washington DC. She served on AOSA’s national board as a Regional Representative and later as Treasurer. She attended the Orff Institute Special Course in 2010-2011. Betsy presents workshops locally and nationally. She has taught all 3 levels of Basic Orff Schulwerk Certification, but currently teaches Level II at the University of Kentucky and Level III at George Mason University.
2025 - 2026 Workshop Schedule
September 27, 2025 - Fauna Woolfe
March 21, 2026 - Christa Jones
April 18, 2026 - Kristine Wolfe
March 21, 2026 - Christa Jones
April 18, 2026 - Kristine Wolfe
The American Orff-Schulwerk association strongly encourages members to be positive and discreet when discussing our organization, specific courses and/or teachers, and the Orff movement. The very nature of the Orff Schulwerk philosophy embodies a broad spectrum of expressions exploring different paths to arrive at artistic and educational goals. Members are encouraged to recognize and remain open to varied approaches and to celebrate both our differences and our similarities.
