Northern California Association of Kodály Educators
The NCAKE mission is inspired by Kodály’s vision of quality music education for all.
We nurture a vibrant community of educators, students and musicians,
by providing learning opportunities and resources that promote musical excellence
and celebrate the diverse cultures of Northern California and beyond.
Announcements
FROM FIELDWORK TO CLASSROOM:
A JOURNEY THROUGH PHILIPPINE SONGS, RHYMES, GAMES, AND DANCE
(SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2026)
NCAKE is thrilled to announce our final workshop of the season featuring the groundbreaking work of Dr. Miriam B Factora. This immersive session invites educators to explore a vibrant collection of materials gathered from various regions of the Philippines, highlighting Dr. Factora’s lifelong journey in developing rich cultural and educational resources.
Event Details Join us on Saturday, March 28, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM for this special celebration of Philippine songs, rhymes, games, and dances. We are pleased to offer free attendance for students and retirees.
What to Expect: This is an active musical journey. Participants will engage in hands-on activities designed for immediate classroom application. This includes:
Interactive Performance: Sing, play, and dance through sample songs and games.
Primary Sources: Listen to select field recordings and explore key musical examples.
Curriculum Integration: Discover innovative ideas for integrating Filipino traditions from early childhood to advanced levels.
Special Offers and Resources: The first 25 registrants will receive a free book by Dr. Miriam Factora. We will also have several of her publications available for purchase at the event. These resources stem from Dr. Factora’s extensive fieldwork and are designed to promote meaningful and culturally grounded music education.
Lunch and Community: We are excited to offer lunchboxes from Jollibee for our communal lunch. These are available as an add on for $12 and include a drink. Please note that all food boxes must be ordered by Wednesday March 25 to ensure your selection. If you have already registered, you can still add a lunch box via our website here before the deadline.
Don't miss the conclusion of our 2025–2026 season!
OAKE Conference Reflections
It was wonderful to see so many familiar and new NCAKE faces at the OAKE Conference in Chicago.
We are so proud of Past President Robert Lee, who did an incredible job as the Conference Chair to create a smooth and enriching experience.
Past President Gemma Arguelles also wowed the audience as the Conductor for the Youth Choir.
Thank you to everyone who joined our member coffee meet up!
2026 Children’s Choral Festival Update
Please note that the NCAKE Children’s Choral Festival will be postponed to next year. We look forward to sharing the new dates early in the next season and appreciate your continued interest in this program
Summer 2026: Kodály Institute at University of Redlands
Plan your summer professional development with the Kodály Institute at the University of Redlands from June 15 to July 3, 2026. This intensive program offers a transformative experience for music educators looking to deepen their pedagogy and musicianship.
Learn with Local Faculty: NCAKE is especially proud to share that our very own Gemma Arguelles will be an instructor for this summer session. This is a wonderful opportunity to study with a beloved member of our local community in a world-class institute setting.
Scholarships and Applications: Financial assistance is available through the Kodály Foundation for Music Educators (KFME). Applications can be found at the KFME website.
You can learn more about the program requirements and start your registration process by clicking the link below.
Become a member of NCAKE today!
Visit www.oake.org/become-a-member
Renew your membership using the same link.
Don’t forget to select NCAKE as your local chapter!
Full-time students join for FREE!
Enjoy discounted rates for workshops and chapter events!
NCAKE is an affiliate chapter of the Organization of American Kodály Educators. Click here to learn about the Kodály Concept.
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Questions? Email us at info-at-NCAKE.org!
BRIGHT MORNING STARS ARE RISING
50th Anniversary Anthology, Kodály Center at Holy Names University
Anne Laskey & Gail Needleman, Editors
This 50th Anniversary Anthology of the Kodály Center reflects the significant role the Kodály Center has played in implementing Zoltán Kodály's vision for music education in the United States and around the world.
This collection of 26 articles explores the basic tenets of Kodály's vision:
That music is for everybody
That music literacy is a universal right and not a secret language for a select few
That singing is the most human and universal of instruments
That folk music and art music are the most beautiful and lasting of musical forms
In realizing and implementing Kodály’s vision, these articles reflect on bringing Kodály’s ideas to American classrooms, along with articles that investigate Kodály's life and thought, and what these mean for us today. The articles are complimented by writings of some of the many Hungarian master teachers who have worked with Holy Names faculty to develop higher levels of musicianship, excellent materials and clear pedagogical goals in music teacher education.
Email info@kodalyfoundation.org with any questions
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