After 50 years of teaching music, long life trying to find the right way how to teach, discovering the principles of Orff Schulwerk so late (after political changes in 90ies,) still I know that I must learn till the end of my life. Orff Forum was from 2000, when I became the president of the Czech Orff Society, the biggest stimul of my life. I hope to succeed in opening the world horizont to Czech teachers. Never stay convinced that you learn all only at home!  Sorry I couldn't take part at 2024 Convention in Olomouc, I didn't know about this event in time. But be sure, I will promote the Orff Schulwerk at my last visit of ISME conference in Helsinki 2024 as I used to do from 2002. Now, 70 years old  grnadma is unable to make a smaller choice of photos. Each photo  means so a lot for mee! I have even question if not to make scans of older photos from my paper albums? Till 21st June I can answer you any question if my photo captions could be confusing for you. Your choice is to find  the photos in acceptable resolution (quality)  Goof luck, hodně štěstí, Courage!!!!!

In 2008, I participated in the forum for the first time. It was in March, the discussions were in German, and I could hardly understand anything! Katerina Sarropoulou did everything to help me participate. A lot has changed since then, and gradually, I feel we have become an open, inclusive, multicultural community. I also consider the excellent symposium of 2006 to be a significant moment. Since then (my feeling), a new period has begun for Orff Schulwerk, which is still evolving. I always look forward to our annual meeting, where I consider all of you my people. However, I had an even better time participating more actively during some conventions as a speaker or moderator of a "come together" or a discussion. Each of these times made me feel more connected and honored. They were very special to me! Thank you for allowing me to become more engaged with our community. I wish a happy anniversary to the whole community with a spirit of giving in the future!

I first visited the Orff Institute in 2015. Bethany Elsworth, a student at the Special Course that year very generously showed me and my friends around, as it was a holiday weekend and no one was around. It was a very exciting moment for me! When Bethany moved to Vancouver years later, our connection continued; we now teach Orff Levels Courses together. The first IOSFS Convention I attended was in 2019, feeling very much in awe of the wonderful clinicians and speakers, and the fact that I was there participating in this wonderful international community of teachers. While being online during the covid years was not the same as being in Salzburg, I continued to look forward to the Convention, presenting a session in 2022, "Ecomusicology explored through the compositions of Diné (Navajo) composer Ravon Chacon using graphic notation." What a pleasure to return in 2023 in person, as President of Carl Orff Canada. I look forward to this year's Convention in Olomouc, celebrating Carl Orff Canada's 50th Anniversary. We were extremely honoured to have Barbara Haselbach attend our 28th National Conference, May 2024 in Vancouver  where we presented her as Honorary Patron of Carl Orff Canada.