2026-2027 Workshops

When:  October 17th, 2026

9am - 1pm 

Where: Mansfield University, Butler Music Center

Workshop Description: 

This workshop explores the dynamic intersection of concrete materials within the Orff Schulwerk process, integrated arts, and an intercultural bilingual (Spanish–English) experience rooted in Latin American cultural perspectives to enhance creative learning practices. Through exploration, participants will engage with concrete to abstract learning pathways that support musical understanding, creativity, and expression, while discovering practical strategies, culturally enriching games, and adaptable materials designed to support diverse learners fundamented in neurosciences.

Maria Vanesa Utz

Clinical psychologist and music educator from Paraguay, has dedicated over 20 years to nurturing children's development through early music education and choral conducting. She is a university teacher, leader of different Nacional sociocultural programs and founder & CEO of EducArt® Center, an intercultural hub providing bilingual music and movement children programs with a special curriculum for neurological and developmental differences.

When: February 6th, 2027

9am-1pm

Where: Mansfield University, Butler Music Center

Workshop Description: 

"Tech & Uke: So Happy Together”

This session will focus on how to create and implement the use of playalong videos as a means to support music literacy, and as a way to “multiply” you in the music classroom.  Different creation programs at varying levels of cost will be shared.  While there will be a limited amount of ukuleles available, it is encouraged for you to bring a uke!

"Orff the Hook: Pop, Play, Perform!” 

When you think of Orff, surely popular music doesn’t come to mind! In this session, we will explore composition, improvisation, performance and more!  We will blend the world of orff and popular music into a fun, engaging hands-on experience.  While there will be a limited amount of guitars and ukuleles available, it is encouraged for you to bring your own!

Kris Gilbert received her Bachelor’s in Music Education from the Crane School of Music, her Masters of Music Composition from Binghamton University and her Certificate of Advanced Study in College Teaching from SUNY-Potsdam. She has been teaching for 29+ years in the southern tier of New York and currently teaches high school band, 6-12 modern band, basic rock, sound recording technology, 6-8 chorus, accompanies the high school chorus and directs the high school musical for the Windsor Central School District. Previously she taught all levels of band, marching band, jazz band, AP music theory, music production, junk percussion and modern band. Kris directed the Zone 15 Inaugural NYSSMA Area All-State Modern Band in 2023 and the Zone 5 Area All-State Modern Band in 2024, and led the inaugural NYSSMA Modern Band Showcase in 2025. She is an active clinician and has presented at many state, national and international conferences.  Most recently she presented at the APME/MEMECO Conference in Sulmona, Italy in July of 2026. She is the founder and director of the Southern Tier Youth Wind Ensemble and serves as the President of the Broome County Music Educators Association - for which she has received the Distinguished Service Award in 2026.  Kris is also the founding Vice President of the Association for Popular Music Education New York Chapter.  She also currently serves as an ambassador and independent consultant for the national music non-profit Music Will and is the New York State School Music Association Technology Chairperson.  In her spare time she loves to travel, do pottery and fiber arts, and spend time with her family.

When: March 20th, 2027

9am-1pm

Where: Mansfield University, Butler Music Center

Workshop Description: 

Topics coming soon...

Dr. Robert Amchin is a founding member of TTOSA! He is a distinguished teaching professor emeritus of music education at the University of Louisville (KY) where he taught graduate and undergraduate classes including Elementary Methods, Introduction to Orff Schulwerk, Secondary General Music Methods, Research Methods, and Foundations of Music Education classes. He also supervised student teachers. 

Dr. Amchin studied at the Orff Institute (Salzburg), New England Conservatory of Music, Memphis State University, Hofstra University, Hamline University, and the University of Michigan. Rob was an elementary music specialist in Texas and still works with children as an artist-in-residence. An active clinician, Dr. Amchin has taught Orff teacher-training courses and workshops at home and around the world including invitations to Finland, China, Russia, Austria, Israel, Poland, Hong Kong, Singapore, Iran (virtually), Turkey (virtually), Australia (virtually), and Canada. He has presented sessions at numerous American Orff Schulwerk Association (AOSA) professional development conferences. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the American Orff Schulwerk Association in 2023.

Dr. Amchin has contributed to various publications and projects related to music teaching and learning. He has also published collections of compositions and arrangements for elementary children including a collection of Jewish and Hebrew songs arranged for school-age children, published as a supplement to the American Edition to the Orff Schulwerk, and Modal Mosaic, a set of original elemental pieces for Orff ensemble.