Organization of American Kodály Educators

09/03/2026

We have so many favorite moments from the 2026 OAKE National Conference this past March. Here are some of them from our National Choirs! 📸😍🎶

Auditions are open and due by October 15th: The OAKE Choirs are an incredible learning experience for your singers, with professional development for you, too!

Find out more at oake.org/choirs

08/31/2026

Introducing our four amazing National Choir Conductors!
🎶 Audition your singers for the OAKE National Chamber Choir!
🔗 Go to oake.org/choirs to learn more

David Xiques - National Chamber Choir (SATB, Grades 9-12)

David Xiques began his distinguished teaching career in Delaware, directing junior high and high school band and chorus, before spending ten years teaching children in kindergarten through eighth grade in San Francisco. He later joined the faculty at San Francisco State University, leading programs in musicianship, ear training, and choral conducting. Parallel to his academic career, Xiques sang professionally as a tenor with the San Francisco Symphony Chorus for 32 years, where he also served as assistant director and now as a guest conductor.

A dedicated Kodály specialist, Xiques graduated from Holy Names University in 1991 with a Master of Music in Music Education with Kodály Emphasis, studying under Sister Mary Alice Hein, Rita Klinger, and Edward Bolkavac. He furthered his expertise studying musicianship, theory, and stylistic traditions over several summers with Erszébet Hegyi—a protégée and colleague of Zoltán Kodály—and served on the faculty of New York University’s Kodály Summer Institute for 15 years. Driven by a passion for music literacy, Xiques authored "Solfege and Sonority: Teaching Music Reading in the Choral Classroom," published by Oxford University Press. His choral arrangements, including "Bashana Haba’ah", "The Promised Land", and "Chants of Faiths" are published by Alliance Music Publications.

Now based in his new home of Portland, Oregon, Xiques works regularly with the Portland Symphonic Choir. Last season, he prepared the ensemble for performances of Orff’s Carmina Burana, and this coming season he will prepare them for Poulenc’s Gloria and Mahler’s Symphony No. 2. When not involved in music making, David enjoys fly fishing, gardening, and taking long walks with his husband, Will, and their dog, Millie.

08/28/2026

Introducing our four amazing National Choir Conductors!
🎶 Audition your singers for the OAKE National Concert Treble Choir!
🔗 Go to oake.org/choirs to learn more

László Durányik - National Concert Treble Choir (SSAA, Grades 9-12)

László Durányik is one of Hungary’s most prominent choral conductors, with a long-standing presence in both the national and international choral music scene. He holds degrees from the Teacher Training College in Nyíregyháza and the Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, where he studied music, mathematics, musicology, and choral conducting.

He began his career as the conductor of the Cantemus Boys’ Choir in Nyíregyháza and currently serves as solfège teacher and choir conductor at the Kodály School in Kecskemét – Hungary’s first and internationally recognized music-focused primary school, established under the personal guidance of Zoltán Kodály. The school remains committed to Kodály’s educational philosophy, upholding high standards in music education and choral tradition.

With decades of dedication, László Durányik founded and leads the Miraculum-Aurin Choir Family, a vibrant artistic community encompassing multiple ensembles. Under his leadership, these choirs have achieved outstanding success in international competitions and festivals, showcasing Hungarian choral excellence worldwide.

08/27/2026

Oh gosh, we love seeing our namesake featured on Jeopardy! 😍

08/27/2026

Introducing our four amazing National Choir Conductors!
🎶 Audition your singers for the OAKE National Youth Choir!
🔗 Go to oake.org/choirs to learn more

Susan Tevis - National Youth Choir (SSAA, Grades 6-8)

Susan Tevis is the Artistic Director of Children’s Choir of Chico, a community choir program she co-founded in Chico, California in 2001. In addition to teaching younger singers, Susan also conducts 3 choirs for singers in 4th grade through adult women, and mentors aspiring music educators in the greater Chico area. Susan has been a music educator since 1970, working in public schools, community choir programs and churches. These teaching positions have included responsibilities for instrumental, choral, and classroom music teaching and ensembles. During these years Ms. Tevis has served on numerous regional, state and national boards, including Louisiana Music Education Association and Organization of American Kodály Educators. From 1999-2004, Susan was Vice President of OAKE and enjoyed serving on the OAKE National Conference Choir Committee for 5 years.

As a choral specialist, Susan has been active as a guest clinician and conductor for treble choirs, conducting honor choruses in Texas, Louisiana and California, and frequently has been invited to present music education workshops for various state and national music organizations, and at regional, state and national music conferences. Susan holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in piano pedagogy and music education from California State University, Chico. She completed a Kodály Certificate at the Kodály Institute at McNeese State University (Lake Charles, Louisiana) and completed advanced studies both at the McNeese Institute and at the Kodály Pedagogical Institute in Kecskemét, Hungary. Susan and husband Royce, also a lifelong music educator, have raised 3 children and are now enjoying having adventures with their 5 grandchildren and standard poodle Giuseppe.

08/26/2026

Reminder: Nominations for 2027 OAKE Recognition Awards are due by September 1st

Do you know an educator who's gone above and beyond in their career? Or maybe a brand new teacher who's stepped up for leadership? Maybe you had a mentor who made an unforgettable impact on your Kodály education? Nominate them for an OAKE award!

Call for Nominations - Recognitions and Awards
Celebrate amazing educators, administrators, and researchers!

Each year, OAKE recognizes individual teachers, researchers, and administrators with awards for Outstanding Educator, Emerging Educator, Administrator, Research, and Lifetime Achievement. Nominees are submitted by the OAKE membership, reviewed by the team, and awarded to selected individuals at the OAKE National Conference.

🔹 Outstanding Emerging Educator
🔹 Outstanding Educator
🔹 Outstanding Administrator
🔹 Lifetime Achievement
🔹 Outstanding Research

Nominations are due by September 1st. Go to https://www.oake.org/awards-and-recognition/ to make a nomination today!

08/24/2026

Introducing our four amazing National Choir Conductors!

🎶 Audition your singers for the OAKE National Children's Choir!
🔗 Go to oake.org/choirs to learn more

Barbara Sletto, National Children's Choir (SSA, Grades 4-5)

Barbara Sletto is the Director of the Naples Philharmonic Youth Chorus in Naples, Florida. In addition to preparing their own choral concerts, the chorus performs with the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra and guest artists from all over the world. Barbara is also the Founder and former Artistic Director for the Heartland Youth Choir, a civic organization based in Des Moines, Iowa, that serves over 300 central-Iowa singers in seven ensembles and short-term offerings.

Prior to her work with both choirs, Barbara served as the Artistic Director of the Iowa Youth Chorus, the Des Moines Children’s Choruses, the Anderson Area Children’s Choir of Anderson, Indiana, and the Lakes Treble Choir of Minnesota. Barbara also served as an adjunct professor at Drake University in Des Moines, IA as the director of the Drake University Women’s Chorale from 2004-2012.

Barbara relocated to Naples, Florida in 2018 and is enjoying life in the sunshine state! Barbara loves working with people of all ages. When she is not working as a Youth Choir Specialist, she serves SW Florida as a Realtor with Realty One Group MVP.

08/19/2026

Auditions Are OPEN for 2027 National Choirs, 4th-12th Grade! Find out more ➡️ oake.org/choirs

📼 Improved Audition Materials and Video Guides
🛬 Singers arrive Wednesday with a matinee performance on Sunday
🏙️ Final performance in Orchestra Hall at Chicago Symphony Center
📅 Auditions due by October 15th

Students from Kodály classrooms across the country learning together under the 2027 OAKE National Choir Conductors:
Barbara Sletto - Children’s Choir (SSA, Grades 4-5)
Susan Tevis - Youth Choir (SSAA, Grades 6-8)
László Durányik - Concert Treble Choir (SSAA, Grades 9-12)
David Xiques - Chamber Choir (SATB, Grades 9-12)

Professional Development in Chicago for you and a special musical experience for your singers, too! Go to oake.org/choirs to find everything you need for auditioning singers and joining us at the conference in Chicago!

Invigorate your music program and your professional development: Find out more ➡️ oake.org

08/15/2026

"As someone with extensive experience as both a music educator and choral conductor, I've seen first-hand the immeasurable benefits [OAKE] provides. They don't just impact our current students, but they also contribute significantly to maintaining our vibrant music programs."

The National Kodály Event is for all educators inspired to build their students' creative and musical capabilities. Regardless of Kodály experience, age level, classroom or ensemble, students and teachers will grow and learn from the best at the OAKE National Conference.

♫ Children and Youth Choirs will be inspirational for your 4th-8th graders
♫ Concert Treble Choir is a large ensemble for 9th-12th grade treble voices
♫ Chamber Choir for High School voices will leave your singers wanting to return!

🗣️ The Audition window for the 2027 OAKE National Conference Choirs will open on August 17th. Visit oake.org/choirs to find out more