Music and Movement (Orff Emphasis)

Music Overview:

The music component of the SAAA project has been comprehensive and somewhat unique. Some students have learned to read music and work with Orff instruments and to learn basic music theory through performance. All the students in the project have experienced the drumming circles to learn rhythm, working in ensemble, and following the conductor. Dancing and singing are an integral part of most of the residencies. Students were engaged in looking at the historical and societal impact of music through compare and contrast activities. In addition through collaboration with the Sonora Odiako Taiko drumming group all of the students in the project had an opportunity to be introduced to the Taiko drumming and participate in a community performance with the professional drummers.

THERESA LEVY, PhD – Orff

Theresa Levy, PhD has a lifetime of experience teaching and integrating the arts with academics. During her BA in Math/Psychology/Drama/Dance, she also studied art and ran a 10-month psychology research project in Italy. During her MA in Latin American Studies, she performed her original one-woman show, facilitating dialogue with the audience afterwards. She conducted extensive research in the Caribbean and West Africa, culminating in earning her PhD on an ethno-linguistic minority group in Mauritania. She has spent her career teaching international performing arts (Latin Dance, Piano and Voice), languages and various academic subjects privately and in schools. This spans being a Wolf Trap Artist in Residence for Head Start, to preparing school teachers for various Presents performances and Fine Arts Summer Institutes, to 12 years as a college professor. She enjoys training teachers in integrating the arts in the classroom in order to improve academic achievement, working for Arts for Border Children and Arts Integration Solutions. She has received international acclaim singing in Portuguese with Nossa Bossa Nova.