Music Education Professor Presents Inaugural International Workshops 11/26/2007 8:53:44 AM  E-Mail Daniel C. Johnson, assistant professor and assistant chair of the music department, presented a specialized music education workshop for Central American music educators this past summer. At the invitation of the University of Costa Rica, Johnson presented the workshop, the first of its kind, for more than forty participants from four Central American countries - Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. The focus of the workshop, Orff-Schulwerk, is an innovative and internationally recognized approach to music education practiced by thousands of teachers around the world with materials translated into eighteen different languages. Although the general background and premises of this approach is taught in college courses, there are no local venues for in-service Costa Rican music educators to access systematic, first-hand practical training of Orff-Schulwerk. As indicated by both exit surveys and anecdotal reports, Johnson's workshop fulfilled its purpose and introduced participants to importance and practice of Orff-Schulwerk in music teaching. Participants also gained an understanding of the important theoretical foundations and related practical tools for use in their classroom teaching. In addition, workshop participants from other Central American countries confirmed that they experience an even greater need for specialized music teacher education, as do music teachers in Costa Rica. To address this need, Johnson plans to return to the region in February 2008 to provide in-service Central American music educators a similar workshop, to be hosted by the Costa Rican Forum of Music Education (FOCODEM). A certified Orff specialist and experienced workshop clinician, Johnson received an international outreach travel grant from the American Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA) to cover some travel expenses for his next workshop in Costa Rica. Johnson teaches UNCW courses in music education, applied tuba and euphonium studies, music technology, and the Honors Scholars Program. Photo Note: Image courtesy of Daniel Johnson