Organization of American Kodály Educators

After last year's super successful event, OAKE Chapter SNAKE - Sierra Nevada Association of Kodály Educators will again host their 2026 Kodály Kickoff, coming up in August this summer!

Kodály Kickoff is an event for music educators who want to
🍎 kick off the new school year by collaborating with colleagues
🎶 grow their musical acumen
✨ explore or revisit new approaches to instruction and planning
👨🏻‍🏫 delve into Kodály applications to general music and choral instruction

Whether you are a certified Kodály expert hoping to connect with colleagues and refresh your approach, or a new teacher not yet sure of your personal style, this event will be sure to kick your year off with inspiration, connection, and the joy of music.

“If we ourselves sing often, this provides a deep experience of happiness in music. Through our own musical activities, we learn to know the pulsation, rhythm, and shape of melody. The enjoyment given encourages the study of instruments and the listening to other pieces of music as well.” (Zoltán Kodály, 1964)

Find out more: https://sierranevadakodaly.weebly.com/kodaly-kickoff-2026.html #/

Why take levels? Check out what Seattle instructors are saying about getting Kodály certified:

The Summer of 2026 Kodály Certification Programs have begun!

Find a full list of this summer's Kodály certification programs on our website: https://www.oake.org/certification-programs/

🌼 Wichita State University Summer Kodály Program started yesterday on May 31
🌷 Fort Bend Kodály Institute starts tomorrow June 2nd
🌺 Southeast Texas Kodály Certification Program, Brigham Young University InterMuse Academy for Kodály Certification, and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga begin next week on June 8th!

Good luck to our first five programs this summer; we hope you have a great time making music together in these first few weeks of June!

(Pictures from Intermuse Academy and Southeast Texas programs)

We're THRILLED to announce that Michigan is running Kodaly level 1 this summer!!

📍 Location: Saginaw, Michigan
📅 Dates: July 6 - 17, 2026

Find out all the details here: https://mikodaly.org/workshops-presentations-and-levels/

Presented by Lenoir-Rhyne University in cooperation with the Kodály Educators of North Carolina, the Carolina Kodály Institute offers Levels I, II and III certification courses through intense two-week summer workshops.

📍 Location: Hickory, North Carolina
📅 Dates: July 5 - 17, 2026

Instruction is based on multi-cultural folk songs and art music which includes singing, dancing, games, improvisation, composition, and classroom instruments. Participants will take away teaching strategies and materials which can be used in their own classrooms and choral ensembles. As this is an intense experience, participants may complete only one level per two-week session.

Find our more at https://www.lr.edu/public-events/kodaly-institute

Memorial Day is upon us, a day both celebratory and somber. Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae's poem "In Flanders Fields" is a beautiful memorial, written to remind us not to forget those who lost their lives in battle:

"In Flanders fields, the poppies grow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields."

-Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae

Congratulations are due to OAKE Board Member Juanda Marshall who has been recognized as Teacher of the Year in the LA Unified School District!! We're so proud of you, Juanda, congratulations!!!

LAUSD is the largest public school system in California in terms of number of students and the second-largest public school district in the United States, with only the New York City Department of Education having a larger student population.

✨2026 Teachers of the Year✨

Join us in honoring and recognizing Juanda Marshall from the Arts Education Branch as a Teacher of the Year honoree. 💙🍎

Thank you for all you do to encourage, support, and inspire others! 🏫

Did you know that the OAKE website has a Careers page, and it's ready for new postings!

🧑🏾‍🏫 Post openings for new teaching positions in Kodály-related positions
💻 Add new administrative positions related to the field of education, at schools and in teaching districts
👩🏻‍💻 Check for new openings around the US

Go to oake.org/careers to get started! You can also find the career page on our website in the "Resources" menu

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We love hearing from our students! Nicholas Flott, a Level 3+ student and 2025 Summer Sing musicianship teacher wanted to share: "WTKI expanded my imagination for how far teachers can lead their students on their musical journey!"

Ready to transform your teaching? Join us this June for our 21st anniversary session!
Registration is open at bit.ly/WTKodaly