Orff Training

Erika J. Knapp is Instructor of Music Teaching and Learning at the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester. She is currently a PhD candidate in music education at Michigan State University. Prior to her career in higher education, she taught elementary and middle school music in the mid-Michigan area for 14 years. Her scholarly and research interests include music education for students with ability differences, teacher professional development, intersectional identity, antiracist music education, and teachers as improvisational artists. An active presenter and guest clinician, Erika has shared her scholarship and passion for teaching across the United States and Canada.

Dr. Rob Amchin is a Distinguished Teaching Professor and Concentration Coordinator in Music Education at the University of Louisville (KY/USA). He teaches courses in music education including Elementary and Secondary General Music Methods, an Introduction to Orff Schulwerk course as well as graduate-level courses in history, philosophy, and research. He has degrees from the New England Conservatory of Music and the University of Michigan and has Orff training from NEC, Hofstra University, Memphis State University, and Hamline University. He attended the “Special Course for English Speaking Students” at the Orff Institute (Salzburg). Dr. Amchin has presented workshops, artist-in-residencies, Orff teacher-training courses, and master classes throughout the US and around the world including classes in Poland, Turkey, China, Singapore, Finland, Russia, Hong Kong, Austria, Canada, and Israel. He has published many books and articles on Orff pedagogy.

Elaine Larson returns to the University of Mary this summer as a movement teacher. Her professional career spans more than 35 years in music education with students ranging in ages from preschool to adults. She has taught Level I basic pedagogy, movement for all three levels, and special interest courses in Orff and children’s literature in numerous teacher education programs, including the University of Alaska, George Mason University, Dearborn Public Schools, and the University of St. Thomas. She has also presented at numerous AOSA conferences, chapter workshops, and internationally for the Hong Kong Orff Association. Her special interest is in integrated curriculum, which led her to co-found Kaleidoscope, School of Arts and Science in 2004.  Elaine has served as the AOSA Region I Representative and on other AOSA committees. She resides in Kenai, Alaska, where she continues to write and present in the area of integrated curriculum. Her hobbies include traveling, hiking, reading, and playing with her four grandsons.

For over 35 years Joan Eckroth-Riley has been sharing her passion for music education with students ranging in age from kindergarten through college. She currently shares the joy of making music with students at Murray State University in KY as coordinator of music education. Joan is the author of “Everyday Improvisation; Interactive Lessons for the General Music Classroom,” and “Everyday Composition; Interactive Lessons for the General Music Classroom” published by Alfred, and a contributing author to “Kaleidescope,” lessons on the new Core Music Standards sponsored by NAfME. In addition to her teaching duties, Joan is a frequent workshop presenter on standards and assessments for elementary music, is a certified recorder and movement instructor for Orff Schulwerk courses, and serves as a clinician for JW Pepper & Alfred Music companies. Joan holds an MA in Music Education with an emphasis in Orff Schulwerk from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. She is the president of the newly formed Quad State Orff Chapter, a Past-President of the North Dakota Music Educator’s Association and Prairie Winds Orff, and was honored to be named the 2016 ND Music Educator of the Year.