March in to Kodály with Katharine Finlayson and Jason Boron Recording

‘The Way the Words Go’ with Katharine Finlayson
A developmental and sequential approach to teaching the language of rhythm through song and rhyme in early childhood.

This workshop will include practical ideas and strategies for teaching the concept and simplest elements of rhythm to children in their early years. Examples of songs and rhymes on which to base this teaching will be included as well as hands on activities, games, movement activities and resources. 

Katharine is the president of Kodály ACT and she holds the Australian Kodály Certificate. She has a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the Qld Conservatorium of Music, with Distinction. She has been a primary music specialist teacher for 35 years. 

Katharine’s sequential, developmental teaching programs are based on the Kodály philosophy, reflecting her passion for singing. In 2011 Katharine received a National Award for Excellence in School Music Education. In 2014 she was nominated for the Katalin Forrai Award for Preschool Music Education which was administered by the International Kodály Society. Katharine is currently employed as the Executive Teacher, Professional Practice for Music and the Arts in the Belconnen Network of schools, ACT. She works with classroom and specialist music teachers across a number of schools, supporting them to deliver music education programs to their classes. In 2016 Katharine gained Certification as a Lead Teacher through AITSL. She is also the conductor of the ACT and Senior Concert Choirs and the Vocal Director of Step Into the Limelight.

Finding your voice: Supporting understanding of pitch for children in the early and primary years with Jason Boron

Participants attending this online workshop will engage with strategies that support children to develop their understanding of pitch. Songs, speech rhymes and movement activities that can be immediately incorporated into practice will be modelled by the presenter. Consideration will be given to the essential role of singing in Australian contemporary early childhood and lower primary educational settings.

Jason Boron BMusEd (Hons) W.Aust., GradCertMus Qld., DipKodályMusEd, MA (Hons) Liszt. 
Jason Boron is a Lecturer in Music Education at Edith Cowan University, Australia. He is an experienced music educator having taught in early childhood, primary, secondary and tertiary settings. Jason is currently Vice-Chairperson of the Australian Society for Music Education and coordinates the Australian Kodály Certificate Course offered by Kodály WA. He is a regular presenter of papers and workshops at local, national and international conferences. Jason is a past recipient of the Sárolta Kodály Scholarship awarded by the International Kodály Society. In 2020, he was awarded the ECU Vice-Chancellor’s Staff Excellence Award for Innovative Teaching.