NYCCAOSA
The New York City Chapter of the American Orff Schulwerk Association
Danai Apostolidou Gagné
Founder
Danai Apostolidou Gagné is an Orff and movement specialist throughout NYC and also directs the Orff Certification Program. She studied with Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman in the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria, the first year the Orff Institute was established. She conducts workshops and seminars in the United States, Europe, Canada and Asia, and has been on the faculty of numerous certification programs in Universities and Institutes in the US and abroad, most recently at Utah State University.
Danai’s publications include A Seasonal Kaleidoscope (Schott), The Raccoon Philosopher (Schott), Greek Myths in Modes (Magnamusic Baton), A Collection of Greek Dances (Phaliron Press), Singing Wind, Breathing Drums (Beatin’ Path Publications), and a choral octavo entitled Sounds of the City (Beatin’ Path Publications). She has been a contributing author for the Silver Burdett/Scott Foresman music education series, and produced a CD for movement entitled It Moves Me.
Danai was the recipient of the prestigious “Distinguished Service Award” by the American Orff Schulwerk Association in 2007.
Michelle Fella Pryzbylowski
basic Pedagogy Level 2/3
Michelle Fella Przybylowski is a Senior Professor at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She holds a bachelor’s of science degree in music education from Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a Masters's in Music Education from West Chester University. Michelle has completed National Board Certification. She recently retired from 30 years of teaching music k-4 at Cheltenham Elementary School Cheltenham School District, Cheltenham Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. She is an AOSA Certified Teacher Educator for Basic Levels I, II, III, and Movement Levels I & II. Michelle served as Regional Representative on the National Board of Trustees, The Orff Echo-Editorial Board, and the Executive Committee as vice president, and is currently serving as president. Her major instrument is the harp. She is the wife of Ted, the mother of 3 children and 5 grandchildren.
Laura Koulish
recorder
Laura has been a recorder and Orff teacher in New York City for many years. She is currently the recorder instructor for the NYC Orff Certification Course and has previously taught recorder for certification courses at universities and community music schools. Laura has been a guest clinician for Orff chapters, for three National Orff Conferences, and organizations such as the Music Educators’ Association of NYC, Hunter College, the China Institute and the NYC Dept. of Education. As a cooperating teacher for the New York University music education program, she supervised student teachers for many years. A co-author of A Seasonal Kaleidoscope and Melodic Weavings: A Soprano Recorder Approach for Teachers, Laura has also contributed original songs and arrangements to Music and You, Share the Music, and articles for Music K-12 and the Children’s Music Network magazine, Pass it On! She is currently collaborating on a book of Spanish songs and poetry. Laura is a past president of the NYC Chapter AOSA.
Aaron Ford
Movement
Aaron Ford teaches elementary and middle school music at The School at Columbia University in NYC. He is a certified Orff Levels I - III Movement Teacher Educator. Aaron completed most of his Orff movement studies and mentorship with Danai Gagné. He also teaches at the Anderson University and DePaul University Courses. Aaron has led national and chapter workshops on creative movement and body awareness and has authored related articles in the Orff Echo and Reverberations. He has completed Anne Green Gilbert’s Brain Compatible Dance Education Foundations course, Dance Education Laboratory’s Foundations of Dance Education, and continues to enjoy studying various Somatics practices. He has a Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Music Education and a Master’s Degree in Creative Arts Therapy with a Specialization in Dance/Movement Therapy.
Craig D. Taylor
Basic Pedagogy Level 1 / DIRECTOR
Craig D. Taylor teaches music and movement PreK - 5 at PS 452M where he leads beginning band and fret ensemble and is on the School Leadership Team. Originally from upstate NY, he has an affinity for (rubber) chickens, cows and snow. He holds a BM in Music Education and Bassoon Performance from The Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam College and a MM from Five Towns College. Currently Craig is a DOE Music Facilitator and Vice-President of the NYC Orff chapter. Craig holds certification in Orff, Kodaly and Levels 1 &2 in Emotional Intelligence from International Society for Emotional Intelligence. Craig completed his apprenticeship at the San Fransisco International Course under Sofia Lopez-Ibor, and has attended the Orff Afrique and the International Summer Course in Salzburg. He was a founding member of SoLI and regularly performs with his recorder quartet. In his spare time Mr. Taylor enjoys boxing and baking.