2023-2024 WORKSHOP CALENDAR

All workshops are held from 9:15-1:15 P.M. at the University of Redlands, Watchorn Hall, Room 103.

Another new year is upon us, and the sweet sounds of the first day of school are approaching:  giggles and laughs, hugs and words of encouragement, maybe even a few nervous criers!  What a great time to reinvigorate your classroom with music lessons aimed at helping students to create and explore. 

Natasha Thurmon teaches K-5 general music, choir, strings, Recorder, and Orff ensemble at Boldt Elementary in the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, TX. She has a BME in Music Education from Pacific Lutheran University and an MM in Music Education from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She completed her Orff levels and two master classes at Trinity University, where she now teaches Recorder. Natasha is past president of Central Texas Orff, and has served on several subcommittees for AOSA, chairing the Social Media subcommittee, and most currently on the Recorder Teacher Apprenticeship Panel. She has presented at various workshops locally and at state conferences, as well as at the national AOSA conference and for Orff chapter workshops. She serves as co-site chair on the Professional Development committee of her local Northside AFT union and on their Executive Board as Elementary Vice President. 

A potpourri of games, refined by real students from K-6th grade, developed to hone the crucial skills of time-keeping, improvisation, listening, pitch matching, notation, form and structure, and more. In this workshop, we will not only play these games; we will apply them in real musical contexts with engaging Orff pieces. 

Aaron Grooves is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, & music educator. His passion for all forms of music-making have led him to become proficient in percussion, piano, tap dancing, singing, ukulele, live-looping, and many other instruments, which he utilizes to pursue his mission of spreading joy and elevating humanity.  Aaron achieved internet fame with his viral video, Mario on Marimba, which has received over 100 million views worldwide. He is the composer of “Jazzy Note Blocks,” the music behind Alan Becker’s Note Blocks - Animation vs. Minecraft Shorts Episode 5, which has racked up over 200 million views on YouTube. Aaron is one half of the explosive duo group, Collision of Rhythm, where he performs, teaches, and keynotes all over the world with his “rhythmic soul brother,” Bronkar Lee.  In addition to his online and commercial successes, Aaron is a world-class music educator. He holds Level 3 Certification in Orff Schulwerk pedagogy, and he has presented teacher training workshops for AOSA, KIPP Schools, CMEA (California Music Educators Association), and several colleges and universities. He is a recipient of the ACEMM Winter Spotlight Award, which is granted for outstanding work in learning communities utilizing music and movement. Aaron has done extensive work as a Band Director, Private Lessons Instructor, and Music Specialist for humans of all ages.

Explore the inspiring nature of superheroes to develop rhythmic reading skills. Create word chains that develop into full ensemble pieces.  

Thomas Murphy teaches K-6 music at San Tan Elementary in the Higley District.  He completed his Orff levels and Master’s Degree at Arizona State University. He has presented at various workshops in Arizona and is currently Chapter-President of AZ Orff.  Thomas is currently in his 25th year as a music teacher.  He teaches K-6 music, choir and drumming at San Tan Elementary. He was Director of Percussion with the Phoenix Youth Symphony 2004-20011.  From 2004-2007, he served as the Chapter President of the Arizona Percussive Arts Society.  In June 2014, Thomas completed his Orff Level 3 certification from ASU. He was named the Higley School District 2017 Teacher of the Year.