COLLEEN VERNON

I was a bassoon major at Ithaca College School of Music, planning to be a high school band and orchestra director.  When much to my fortune, I stumbled on the Orff-Schulwerk method while substitute teaching during my first year out of college. I was overjoyed to find that I could be so fulfilled and have so much fun teaching and playing music with elementary school students!  
 
Orff-Schulwerk is an approach to music education that involves dance, drama, and ensemble music using recorders and various percussion instruments.  All of these elements work together to create a unified whole, and the result are students creating beauty and having educational fun at every age level.
 
I believe in using enlightening and inspiring music from many different cultures. Introducing students to authentic dance vocabulary, and holding students to a high standard of performance while providing modifications and opportunities for everyone to succeed.  I love to have fun with my classes, and am always looking for new ways to share my love of music and movement with the school community!

I teach adult Lindy Hop classes with Baltimore's Charm City Swing, and I compete in dance events all over the country. I enjoy informal music-making with friends and family (think Rock Band minus the technology thing,) healthy cooking, and anything that involves moving your body in the Great Outdoors.

Mrs. Vernon is the current Chapter President of the Baltimore Orff-Schulwerk Society. She has published articles in national music educator journals.