AMBER PRICE BIO:
I received my Bachelor's of Music Education degree from Stephen
F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas in December
of 1997. I began my teaching career in Texas, as a band director
in January of 1998. After three years, I realized I had the
desire to teach at the elementary level. So begins mu interest
in Orff-Schulwerk.
In the summer of 2000, I began my certification in Orff-Schulwerk
at Southern Methodist University in Dallas Texas. Orff Schulwerk
is an approach to teaching music education to children. Orff
Schulwerk was created by the German composer Carl Orff. The
German word "Schulwerk" loosely translated means
"School Work"...it is learning by doing. The teacher
training course is designed for elementary music teachers
to learn ways to incorporate speech, movement, singing, listening
and instrument playing so children can learn rhythm, melodic
and improvisational skills in an educational setting. The
Orff approach gives teachers and students the ability to create
meaningful musical experiences that can be based on any subject
matter from language arts to science or social studies. The
certification is a level 3 course taken over a three year
period.
In the summer of 2008, I took Kodaly level 1 training at
Indiana University. Kodaly is a "child developmental
approach" of teaching music education that uses a sequence
of skills that follows the normal abilities of children at
various stages of growth. It uses tools such as singing games
along with syllable systems for melody and rhythm skills.
Level 1 certification focuses on the musical development of
children from pre-kindergarten through second grade.
I have been teaching at the elementary level for 9 years.
I taught at schools in East Texas, South Bend and Martinsville
IN before joining IPS School #70, The Nicholson Visual and
Performing Arts Academy. At the Nicholson Academy, I teach
general music to students in grades pre-k through 6, and direct
4th, 5th and 6th grade choir. I lead an after school performing
group called "Music In Motion" which is an Orff-Schulwerk
based group. I am a member of the American Orff-Schulwerk
Association, an executive board member of the Indiana Orff-Schulwerk
Chapter, and a member of the Indiana Music Educators Association
& MENC. I have presented sessions at the Indiana State
Music Convention.
I have been married to my husband, Craig, for 8 years and
we have a dog named Sperry. I am currently working on my Master's
of Music Education degree through Anderson University and
I am very excited to be joining the staff at Bongo Boy Music
School. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues
and students on making meaningful and memorable musical experiences!!
