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
KODÁLY Summer Institute: KODÁLY Certification & MM Kodály Pedagogy in Northern CA.
NCAKE is pleased to support the Summer Certificate in Kodály Pedagogy through the Kodály Center at the University of Redlands in San Anselmo from June 23 through July 11, 2025.
Please join the Kodály Center in the Concert Finale featuring participants of courses and the participant choir conducted by Dr. Niké St. Clair!
Concert Finale & Demonstration Friday, July 11, 2021 at 1:00 pm University of Redlands, Marin Campus Montgomery Chapel 105 Seminary Road, San Anselmo, CA
A map of the campus is attached below.
In Memory: Karen Woodward Arlen
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of longtime OAKE member Karen Woodward Arlen, who passed away Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Walnut Creek, California.
For decades, Karen Arlen was a classroom music teacher at Redwood Day School and a private piano and guitar teacher. She earned a B.A. in Art from the University of Oregon. In 1988, Karen graduated from a year-long Kodály Paraprofessional Training Program through the Oakland school, and later earned an MM in Music Education with Kodály Emphasis from Holy Names University. Karen was OAKE Western Division President and Regional Representative, NCAKE president, and co-chair of the 1991 San Francisco OAKE Conference.
She was a frequent presenter at state and national conferences, music workshops, and school in-services. Her most recent presentations were: Exploring Oregon’s History through Song: OAKE National Conference, 2020 (along with Nancie Kester and Douglas Card), and Making Connections: History through Song: IKS Symposium, Los Angeles, CA, 2023 (along with Nancie Kester).
Karen Arlen, Margaret Batt, Mary Ann Benson, and Nancie Kester were partners in Calicanto Associates, which compiles and publishes books, CDs, and musical plays on California history through song, plus a Choral Series featuring songs with historical relevance. They also performed frequently with the Calicanto Singers.
Karen was a fine poet, artist, and musician. Her beautiful contributions in these areas will continue, along with her Calicanto publications and her legacy as a superb teacher. Karen leaves behind three daughters, Melissa, Camela, and Stephanie, plus four grandchildren.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to all who knew and loved Karen.
Memorial Information:
Saturday, August 17th at 1:00 pm Rossmoor Event Center: Tahoe Room 1021 Stanley Dollar Drive Walnut Creek, CA 94595
If you plan to attend, RSVP to Camela Azevedo at camelaaz@hotmail.com
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!
Photos from the 2024 OAKE National Conference.
PC: Robert Lee
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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