Orff Schulwerk Teacher Education for Music Educators K–8
Supplementals: July 6–10, 2026
Levels: July 13–24, 2026
Join the Orff Schulwerk program at the George Mason University’s Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music summer institute, hosted by the Mason Community Arts Academy. Celebrating over 40 years of excellence, we have developed a comprehensive and authentic curriculum taught by experienced, enthused, and enjoyable Orff specialists.
What is Orff Schulwerk?
Composer Carl Orff (Carmina Burana) and his colleague Gunild Keetman developed Orff Schulwerk as an active approach to music and movement education based on the central idea that music, movement and speech form an inseparable unit. Through singing, rhythmic speech, body percussion and movement, children gain experience and develop instincts for making music in a joyful and accessible way.
Orff Schulwerk uses songs, rhymes, games and dances to explore traditional and original music in the elemental style, introducing skills and concepts in a logical and integrated way. Music and movement are often accompanied by clapping, snapping and stamping, or with pitched and unpitched percussion as well as recorders. The Orff Schulwerk program at George Mason is a proud member of the American Orff Schulwerk Association.
Levels Courses: Earn Your Certification in Orff Schulwerk
Orff Certification offers the opportunity for professional growth through a comprehensive program in one of the leading philosophies of active music education including musical and movement skills, theory and pedagogy for grades K–8. Certification in Orff Schulwerk is widely recognized as a significant professional step in both the public and private school sector. Orff often forms the foundation of a music curriculum. Learning to create original teaching materials that are meaningful to students and developing supportive connections with colleagues and instructors are only two of the important benefits of participation in the program.
The courses also help prepare teachers and therapists for the challenge of developing music programs adapted to the needs of their students. Graduate-level work is to be expected. Full participation in all classes and completion of all assignments is required to receive full certification of course hours.
Levels I–III are offered, and certification is awarded upon successful completion of Level III. You can sign up for one course per summer.
Level courses are also eligible for Teacher Recertification Points in many school systems. Check with your district for verification.
Supplemental Courses
An outstanding selection of Orff Schulwerk and Kodály supplemental courses designed to enrich and extend the experiences, skills, and knowledge gained during Certification are offered the week prior to the Level courses.
Credit and Non-Credit Options Available
Credit and Non-Credit Options available
Participants enrolled in the non-credit option will receive a Letter of Completion with course hours to be applied towards professional development hours (with administrator approval). For-credit registration is facilitated through George Mason Continuing Professional Education.
George Mason Master of Music, Music Education
The nine credit Orff or Kodály Certification sequence is fully applicable to the degree requirements for George Mason’s Master of Music degree, music education major. In addition, Orff and Kodály Supplemental courses and the Wind Band Conducting Symposium course credit may be used towards satisfying elective requirements. If you plan to complete your MM in Music Education at George Mason, please register for credit.
If you would like more in-depth information about the program, email program director Dr. Charles Ciorba to set up an online meeting.
On-Campus Housing and Parking
Choose to stay in convenient apartment style accommodations during the Orff and Kodaly teacher training Supplemental and Levels weeks.
Students will be assigned to an apartment with up to two additional roommates. All students will have a private bedroom and shared living room, bathroom, and kitchen in the apartment. Linens (sheets, blankets, pillows, towels), toilet paper, and internet access are included.
Students planning to drive to campus to attend their course have the option to park in the Mason Pond Parking Deck for a daily fee or purchase a parking permit for the duration of the course.
Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships are available for Orff Schulwerk Level courses. For questions regarding scholarships, please contact Shoshanah Drake at [email protected].
Note: Some school districts will not allow uploading from school emails; applicants should try a personal email address if their school address does not work.
Kristian Larson Scholarship (Level I)
This scholarship is in honor of Kristian Larson towards study this summer at George Mason. This scholarship in the amount of $750 will be awarded to a prospective Level I for credit student.
Carol Erion Orff Schulwerk Teacher Education Award (Level III)
The Carol Erion Orff Schulwerk Teacher Education Award honors the founder and visionary who built the George Mason Orff Schulwerk Teacher Education Program, over 35 years ago. Carol was a Level III teacher for many years, and although retired, she continues to be a strong influence on the course at George Mason. This $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to one student who has registered for Level III for-credit study.
This application and all accompanying information must be submitted by May 16, 2026.
Kristian Larson Scholarship (Supplemental)
In honor of Kristian Larson, this scholarship goes towards study this summer at George Mason in the amount of $400 and go towards a Supplemental Course for-credit scholarship.
Orff Schulwerk Teacher Certification Program Scholarship (All Levels)
Each year eight scholarships for $500 are awarded to applicants who participate in the Orff Schulwerk Teacher Certification Program at George Mason. Six scholarships are awarded to For-Credit students and two are awarded to Non-Credit students. This application and all accompanying information must be submitted by May 16, 2026.
Orff Faculty at George Mason
Joyce Stephansky
Orff Program Director
Pedagogy Instructor
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Joyce Stephansky teaches music and movement in the Fairfax County Virginia Public Schools and Undergraduate Music Methods at George Mason University. She has experience as a choral, music, and movement teacher in kindergarten through sixth grade in the Prince George’s County, Maryland public schools, and the Potomac School in McLean, Virginia. She completed her Master of Arts Degree and Orff Certification at George Mason University, with additional work in Orff studies and a Master Class at St. Thomas University. Ms. Stephansky has presented at AOSA National Conferences, and for Orff chapters in the areas of integration and Orff process.
You may contact Ms. Stephansky at [email protected]