September 19, 2026
9:30a-1:30p
NEW LOCATION:
Kipps Elementary School
Blacksburg, VA

“Music Is the Language of Awesome:” A Few of Our Favorite Things!

This workshop focuses on creative music and movement activities for preschool, primary and intermediate children. Our favorites! Developed by the kids! Lessons they want to come back to again and again!

Karen Medley brings over 40 years of joyful experience teaching elementary general music in public schools. She has presented at more than a dozen American Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA) National Conferences and is a frequent clinician for workshops, residencies, in-services, masterclasses, and teacher education courses across the United States, including Hawai‘i and Alaska. Karen currently teaches in summer teacher-education programs at the University of Alaska Anchorage and the University of Maine, Orono. She has also served twice as a guest lecturer in New Zealand, presenting courses and workshops through the Teachers College at the University of Auckland and at sites throughout the country. Throughout her career, Karen has directed children’s choruses whose performances include Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, opening the National Blues Awards, appearing at the 1989 AOSA National Conference in Atlanta, and performing Carmina Burana and The Nutcracker with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. She served on the AOSA National Board of Trustees for more than thirteen years, including roles as Regional Representative and National Conference Chair. Karen is the AOSA 2026 Distinguished Service Award recipient.