Meet the KMEK board

the beginning of this Kansas chapter

The Mission of KMEK
Our KMEK chapter began in 2004 at the dining room table of Kirk Olson.  He and Lisa Simmelink were the first Kansans to believe that the Kodály method needed to come to the prairie. They began talking to Elaine Bernstorf, professor at Wichita State University, and soon the Kodály Certification program began at WSU. With some of the first students of Level 1, KMEK was established, and with the vision of Kirk and Lisa, this small, hard-working chapter began.

We have many official OAKE members, plus many more who are actively participating in chapter events and workshops. If you are interested in learning more about the Kodály method or are thinking about becoming a Kodály-certified teacher, we invite you to attend one of our workshops (or contact us for more information).  We have at least three workshops per year, are active at the KMEA in-service workshop in February, and hold social events. Please join us!

KMEK is active in our state and in the midwestern region of OAKE.  The KMEK president is a representative on the Kansas Music Educators' Association executive board. Lisa Simmelink (founding member) is the incoming president for the Midwest Kodály Music Educators Association. Our chapter members have presented at KMEA, the OAKE national conference, the NAfME national conference, MKMEA regional conferences, and at local professional development workshops. KMEK is also highly supportive of the local certification courses at Wichita State University. 

History of the Kodaly Approach

Please visit the Holy Names University for many resources and to watch a brief video
The objectives and purposes of this society shall be: 
 
(1) to promote the Kodály concept of music education in Kansas and encourage the aesthetic, musical and general growth of the individual at all stages of development; 
 
(2) to promote the Kodály philosophy, which seeks to provide, for all children, a musical experience that encompasses the development of musical literacy within a context of fine quality music, ranging from folk music to art music of all styles and periods, with the purpose of developing a well-integrated personality; 
 
(3) to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and encourage the application of the Kodály philosophy to the multi-ethnic, multicultural musical heritage of American society and the world at large.
 
(4) to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and encourage the application of the Kodály philosophy to all ages. Including, but not limited to: preschool musical instruction, elementary general music classrooms, secondary choral and instrumental classrooms, community and/or religious groups, and the elderly.

MKMEA and OAKE

KMEK is an affiliate chapter of the Organization of American Kodály Educators which was founded in 1975. Its purpose is to promote Kodály's concept of "Music for Everyone" through the improvement of music education in schools.​​

Midwest Kodaly Music Educators of America is our regional division within OAKE.

Professional development conferences and workshops are hosted at the local (KMEK), regional (MKMEA), and national levels (OAKE). We encourage you to become a member of OAKE to support the community and for discounts on all of these professional learning opportunities.