Organization of American Kodály Educators

06/19/2026

“You are America. Unconstrained by habit and convention. Unencumbered by what is, ready to seize what ought to be. For everywhere in this country, there are first steps to be taken, there is new ground to cover, there are more bridges to be crossed. America is not the project of any one person. The single most powerful word in our democracy is the word ‘We.’ ‘We The People.’ ‘We Shall Overcome.’ ‘Yes We Can.’ That word is owned by no one. It belongs to everyone. Oh, what a glorious task we are given to continually try to improve this great nation of ours.”

These beautiful words appear on the exterior of the new Museum at the Obama Presidential Center, unveiled today, June 19th, in Chicago, Illinois

06/17/2026

06/17/2026

🐾🦮

06/12/2026

OAKE Recognition Awards

Each year, OAKE recognizes individual teachers, researchers, and administrators with awards for Outstanding Emerging Educator, Educator, Administrator, Research, and Lifetime Achievement. The Nominees are submitted by you, the OAKE membership, reviewed by the OAKE Recognitions and Awards team, and awarded to selected individuals at the annual OAKE National Conference.

OAKE is lucky to have an abundance of excellent educators who deserve to be recognized for their efforts to manifest Kodály’s vision of “music for all.”

From small towns to urban school districts, universities to community organizations, we want to hear about the special individuals who enrich the lives of their communities through Kodály-inspired music education.

Whether they are well-known workshop presenters, dedicated local music teachers, emerging scholars, or long-time Kodály leaders, let's celebrate their hard work with the OAKE community. We invite you to submit nominations for the 2027 Recognition Awards!

Recognition is awarded in the following categories:
Outstanding Emerging Educator
Outstanding Educator
Outstanding Administrator
Lifetime Achievement
The Erzsébet Szőnyi Academic Award
The Alexander Ringer Award for Outstanding Doctoral Research
The László Eősze Professional and Non-Doctoral Award

👑 How to Make a Nomination
Go to the Recognition & Awards page to learn more and make a nomination
We look forward to hearing about all the wonderful work you do!

Nominations are due by September 1st

Pictured are last year's award winners: Outstanding Emerging Educator Kevin McAllister, Outstanding Educator Crystal Henricks, Outstanding Educator Georgia Newlin, Outstanding Administrator Patty Moreno, and Lifetime Achievement Awardee Amy Carol Branum, pictured with OAKE Past President Tom Michalek

06/10/2026

😍 We love this picture! Posted by the KIUTC (Kodály Institute at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga) 2026 Faculty in their new t-shirts: "It's All About the Singing!"

06/08/2026

Happy Pride Month!! 🌈💟

06/05/2026

After last year's super successful event, OAKE Chapter SNAKE - Sierra Nevada Association of Kodály Educators will again host their 2026 Kodály Kickoff, coming up in August this summer!

Kodály Kickoff is an event for music educators who want to
🍎 kick off the new school year by collaborating with colleagues
🎶 grow their musical acumen
✨ explore or revisit new approaches to instruction and planning
👨🏻‍🏫 delve into Kodály applications to general music and choral instruction

Whether you are a certified Kodály expert hoping to connect with colleagues and refresh your approach, or a new teacher not yet sure of your personal style, this event will be sure to kick your year off with inspiration, connection, and the joy of music.

“If we ourselves sing often, this provides a deep experience of happiness in music. Through our own musical activities, we learn to know the pulsation, rhythm, and shape of melody. The enjoyment given encourages the study of instruments and the listening to other pieces of music as well.” (Zoltán Kodály, 1964)

Find out more: https://sierranevadakodaly.weebly.com/kodaly-kickoff-2026.html #/

06/03/2026

Why take levels? Check out what Seattle instructors are saying about getting Kodály certified:

06/02/2026

The Summer of 2026 Kodály Certification Programs have begun!

Find a full list of this summer's Kodály certification programs on our website: https://www.oake.org/certification-programs/

🌼 Wichita State University Summer Kodály Program started yesterday on May 31
🌷 Fort Bend Kodály Institute starts tomorrow June 2nd
🌺 Southeast Texas Kodály Certification Program, Brigham Young University InterMuse Academy for Kodály Certification, and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga begin next week on June 8th!

Good luck to our first five programs this summer; we hope you have a great time making music together in these first few weeks of June!

(Pictures from Intermuse Academy and Southeast Texas programs)

05/30/2026

We're THRILLED to announce that Michigan is running Kodaly level 1 this summer!!

📍 Location: Saginaw, Michigan
📅 Dates: July 6 - 17, 2026

Find out all the details here: https://mikodaly.org/workshops-presentations-and-levels/