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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.
2026 - 2027 Workshop Schedule
"BACK TO SCHOOL WITH ORFF" (FREE WORKSHOP!)
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Clinician: Dan DeZwaan
August 10, 2026 Host: Dan DeZwaan Location: Oakwood Intermediate School, 10505 Learning Lane, Allendale, MI 49401 Workshop: 9:00 - 1:00 p.m., registration is open at 8:30 a.m. Cost: FREE 4 Hours of FREE SCECH Available |
Back to School With Orff will give attendees ideas for introducing and re-establishing singing, listening, moving and playing in the elementary music classroom for a new school year.
BIO: DAN DEZWAAN has been the elementary music specialist for first thru third graders in the Allendale public schools since 1999. He has a bachelors degree from Dordt College (Iowa) and a Masters Degree in Music Education from Anderson University, where he also completed his three levels of Orff Certification. When he’s not teaching, Dan enjoys gardening, traveling and going to various performances with his family.
"Break a Leg! Imagination & Drama in the Elementary Music Classroom"
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Clinician: Rob DelGaudio
September 19, 2026 Host: Dan DeZwaan Location: Allendale Early Childhood Center, 10455 Timberline Drive, Allendale, MI 49401 Workshop: 9:00 - 1:00 p.m., registration is open at 8:30 a.m. Cost: AOSA Members $60 non-AOSA Members $75 4 Hours of FREE SCECH Available |
Break a Leg! Imagination & Drama in the Elementary Music Classroom What happens when we give students permission to imagine, to play, and even to be a little silly? In this hands-on workshop, participants will explore how dramatic play transforms the music classroom into a space where there is room for creativity. Through storytelling, character work, movement, puppetry, and musical skits students are allowed to make artistic choices that deepen expression and ownership in performance.
BIO: 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 25,000 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.
BIO: 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 25,000 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.
Layer by Layer: Scaffolding Success on the Pitched Percussion Instruments
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Clinician: David Row
October 24, 2026 Host: Dan DeZwaan Location: Oakwood Intermediate School, 10690 Learning Lane, Allendale, MI 49401 Workshop: 9:00 - 1:00 p.m., registration is open at 8:30 a.m. Cost: AOSA Members $60 non-AOSA Members $75 4 Hours of FREE SCECH Available |
Layer by Layer: Scaffolding Success on the Pitched Percussion Instruments Strong instrumental work doesn’t happen by accident—it grows from intentional exploration, guided creation, and well-sequenced teaching. In this workshop, we’ll spend a lot of time at the barred instruments. We’ll begin with improvisation and play and move toward layered ensemble pieces, modeling how to teach and transfer each skill along the way. Discover strategies for introducing parts, shaping technique, supporting success for all learners, and elevating your students’ musicianship. Expect hands-on playing, fresh ideas, and a process you can take straight back to your classroom.
BIO: David Row loves teaching music to kids! A Nebraska native and Midwesterner at heart, David now lives and teaches in the Kansas City metro area for the DeSoto Unified School District. He holds a Master’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory, Orff Schulwerk certification, and has extensive experience with critical thinking in the arts. David is an active clinician and has presented workshops at national, state, and local conventions across the United States and Canada. He is an AOSA-approved Orff Schulwerk teacher educator and teaches Pedagogy Levels I & II each summer in Orlando and St. Louis. On his blog, MakeMomentsMatter.org, and through his podcast David shares ideas about classroom content, management, lesson plans, critical thinking, and more. Find David on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok or catch up with him every week on his “Musical Mondays” LIVE videos.
BIO: David Row loves teaching music to kids! A Nebraska native and Midwesterner at heart, David now lives and teaches in the Kansas City metro area for the DeSoto Unified School District. He holds a Master’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory, Orff Schulwerk certification, and has extensive experience with critical thinking in the arts. David is an active clinician and has presented workshops at national, state, and local conventions across the United States and Canada. He is an AOSA-approved Orff Schulwerk teacher educator and teaches Pedagogy Levels I & II each summer in Orlando and St. Louis. On his blog, MakeMomentsMatter.org, and through his podcast David shares ideas about classroom content, management, lesson plans, critical thinking, and more. Find David on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok or catch up with him every week on his “Musical Mondays” LIVE videos.
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Clinician: Ashleigh Lore
March 6, 2027 Host: Danielle Bronson Location: Parkwood-Upjohn Elementary, 2321 S Park St, Kalamazoo, MI 49001. Workshop: 9:00 - 1:00 p.m., registration is open at 8:30 a.m. Cost: AOSA Members $60 non-AOSA Members $75 4 Hours of FREE SCECH Available |
Spring Into Music! Activities & Games For The Last Few Months
Put the SPRING back into your classroom for post-Spring Break! This workshop will consist of activities and games that will engage students in the months when other factors, such as testing, field trips, field days, and observations might throw the classroom off balance. Also, depending on if/when you teach recorder and ukulele, suggestions will focus on creative ways to approach the instruments. Bring your recorder, ukulele, and wear comfortable clothing!
BioAward-winning educator and the State of Michigan's Region 6 Teacher of the Year, Ashleigh Lore, currently teaches K-4th elementary general music. She received her M.M. in Music Education from The University of Michigan ('18) and her B.M.E. from Central Michigan University ('11), where she double majored in Vocal Music Education and English Education. In 2017, she completed all levels for certification in the Orff-Schulwerk approach, has taken a Masterclass, and traveled to Salzburg, Austria, to study at the Orff-Institut's summer course. In addition to her Orff training, Ashleigh is First Steps in Music (FAME) Certified, Google Educator Certified, has completed Kodaly Level I training (USA), and has taken additional courses in Kodaly Music Education (UK).
In 2019, Ashleigh established the Learning Lore Press publishing & educational consulting company. Through LLP, she published her first book, The Music Educator's Guide to Grant Writing (2019), which has been met with many five-star reviews. Her second book, Recorder Boot Camp (2021), focuses on an approach to teaching soprano recorder to children in an engaging, encouraging, and sequential way.
Ashleigh currently serves on a variety of boards and committees, including the Michigan Music Education Association (MMEA), the Mid-Michigan Orff-Schulwerk Association (MMOSA), is a founding Committee Member of the International Orff-Schulwerk Forum Salzburg (IOSFS) Finance Committee, and on the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) General Music Council. Ashleigh is an adjunct professor teaching Grant Writing for the Music Educator, a week-long graduate course at Anderson University (IN) based upon her first book, serves the Lansing Symphony Orchestra as their Education & Outreach Coordinator, and is an independent educational consultant.
Put the SPRING back into your classroom for post-Spring Break! This workshop will consist of activities and games that will engage students in the months when other factors, such as testing, field trips, field days, and observations might throw the classroom off balance. Also, depending on if/when you teach recorder and ukulele, suggestions will focus on creative ways to approach the instruments. Bring your recorder, ukulele, and wear comfortable clothing!
BioAward-winning educator and the State of Michigan's Region 6 Teacher of the Year, Ashleigh Lore, currently teaches K-4th elementary general music. She received her M.M. in Music Education from The University of Michigan ('18) and her B.M.E. from Central Michigan University ('11), where she double majored in Vocal Music Education and English Education. In 2017, she completed all levels for certification in the Orff-Schulwerk approach, has taken a Masterclass, and traveled to Salzburg, Austria, to study at the Orff-Institut's summer course. In addition to her Orff training, Ashleigh is First Steps in Music (FAME) Certified, Google Educator Certified, has completed Kodaly Level I training (USA), and has taken additional courses in Kodaly Music Education (UK).
In 2019, Ashleigh established the Learning Lore Press publishing & educational consulting company. Through LLP, she published her first book, The Music Educator's Guide to Grant Writing (2019), which has been met with many five-star reviews. Her second book, Recorder Boot Camp (2021), focuses on an approach to teaching soprano recorder to children in an engaging, encouraging, and sequential way.
Ashleigh currently serves on a variety of boards and committees, including the Michigan Music Education Association (MMEA), the Mid-Michigan Orff-Schulwerk Association (MMOSA), is a founding Committee Member of the International Orff-Schulwerk Forum Salzburg (IOSFS) Finance Committee, and on the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) General Music Council. Ashleigh is an adjunct professor teaching Grant Writing for the Music Educator, a week-long graduate course at Anderson University (IN) based upon her first book, serves the Lansing Symphony Orchestra as their Education & Outreach Coordinator, and is an independent educational consultant.
Songs of the Sun: Filipino Folk Songs for the Musical Classroom
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Clinician: Tiffany Barry
April 17, 2027 Host: Tami Nelson Location: Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center 961 Joosten St SW Wyoming, MI 49509. Workshop: 9:00 - 1:00 p.m., registration is open at 8:30 a.m. Cost: AOSA Members $60 non-AOSA Members $75 4 Hours of FREE SCECH Available |
Description: Come play, sing, and move to songs from the Philippines! In this active music-making session, Tiffany Unarce Barry will share some Filipino history, culture, language, and music through her book, "Songs of the Sun: Filipino Folk Songs for the Musical Classroom". While geared toward elementary general music instruction, this session will also resonate with those interested in culturally responsive teaching and learning more about the Filipino and Filipino American experience.
BIO: Tiffany Unarce Barry is a Filipino American performer, presenter, author, and educator. She has over 24 years of experience teaching general music, ukulele, choir, orchestra, and band in both public and private school systems. Tiffany is also a lecturer and supervisor in Music Education at San José State University and serves as course director of their Orff Schulwerk Teacher Education Program. As a performer, she is lead female vocalist for the Sacramento-based dance orchestra and swing band, Symphonia Phonotone.
2027 - 2028 Presenters
September 18, 2027--Rob Amchin
October 23, 2027--Aimee Pfitzner
March 18, 2028--BethAnn Hepburn
April 22, 2028--Matthew Stensrud
October 23, 2027--Aimee Pfitzner
March 18, 2028--BethAnn Hepburn
April 22, 2028--Matthew Stensrud
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.
