Authors for Our PreK–12 Music Curricular

Education:
B.A., Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA; M.A. University of Minnesota; Ph.D.University of Minnesota

Honors and awards:
Past President, AOSA

Prior publications:
Coordinating author, Share the Music, K–8 (Macmillan/McGraw Hill), professional journal articles

Role in Spotlight on Music:

• Contributed to overall planning to determine direction and goals for new program.
• Coordinated team of authors and writers who outlined, determined content goals, selected song and listening materials and wrote and edited lessons for Student Book and Teacher Editions.
• Coordinated creation of Orff instrument arrangements for Spotlight on Music: Orff Orchestrations.

Areas of interest/expertise:
Orff process, children's choirs, K–8 music education, undergraduate and post-graduate music teacher education, church music

Education:
Ed.D, Washington University, St. Louis, MO; M.M., B.M. Southern Illinois University

Honors and awards:
National Recognition Award, National Black Music Caucus; Ernest N. Glover Outstanding Teacher Award; University of Cincinnati Award to Outstanding Women Faculty

Prior publications:
Share the Music, Spotlight on Music, Fundamentals and Methods for the Elementary Music Teacher (Pearson), Expressions of Freedom (3 Volumes), Walking in the Light of Freedom (3 Volumes), Songs and Rhythms of a Nation (Hal Leonard), The Ballad of the Underground Railroad, United We Stand (Hal Leonard), numerous articles in professional journals.

Role in Spotlight on Music:

• Selected song materials, wrote and developed units for student book and teachers editions.
• Contributed to overall planning to determine direction and goals for the program.

Areas of interest/expertise:
(Grades PreK–8) music teacher education and consulting, Orff/Kodaly specialist, expertise in diversity and multicultural awareness in the urban music classroom.

Education:
B.M., Heidelburg College, Tiffin, Ohio; Master Class Certifi cate in Orff Schulwerk, University of Tennessee at Memphis

Honors and awards:
Teacher of the Year: Reading Excellence Through the Arts, International Reading Association

Prior publications:
Author, Share the Music, K–8 (Macmillan/McGraw Hill); composer of numerous vocal and choral works

Role in Spotlight on Music:

• Selected song materials and wrote lessons for Student Book and Teachers Editions.
• Contributed to overall planning to determine direction and goals for new program.

Areas of interest/expertise:
Orff process, choral development, K–8 music education, teacher training, multicultural music, integrating music learning with academic skills, arts-infused curriculum

Honors and awards:
ASCAP awards for concert music

Prior publications:
Numerous choral arrangements and collections

Role in Spotlight on Music:

• Selected song materials and wrote lessons for Spotlight on Performance sections, Student Book and Teachers Edition.
• Advised author and editorial teams on song selections for Grades K–8.
• Advised recording teams on vocal sound; supervised and reviewed recordings.
• Contributed to overall planning and lesson design for Spotlight on Performance sections, and for many aspects of the series as a whole.

Areas of interest/expertise:
Vocal development; elementary and middle school choral techniques; composing and arranging for the young voice

Diane Cummings Persellin, Ed. D. in Music Education, is Professor of Music Education at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas where she specializes in early childhood and elementary music education. Her work has been published in books and journals including Journal of Research in Music Education, Early Childhood Connections, Music Educators Journal, and Perceptual Motor and Skills.

Education:
D.M.A. in Music Education, University of Southern California

Honors and awards:
Past Chair, International Society for Music Education's Early Childhood Commission; Research Advisory Review Panel of AOSA

Prior publications:
Articles in a wide range of professional journals; Guest Editor, special issue of Journal for Zero to Three: "The Musical Lives of Infants and Toddlers"

Role in Spotlight on Music:

• Pre-K author and advisor.

Areas of interest/expertise:
Early childhood music with a mutual emphasis on research and practice

Education:
B.S. in Ed., Ball State University; Professional Diploma in Piano, Juilliard School; Orff Levels I, II, III and Master Classes (Wuytach, Gill, Gillespie)

Honors and awards:
Former National President and Honorary Member, AOSA; co-founder/past president Northern New Jersey chapter of AOSA; Ball State University, Outstanding Music Alumnus

Prior publications:
Coordinating author, Share the Music, K–8; author, Music and You, K-8 (both Macmillan/McGraw Hill); Music For Fun (with Bob McGrath); Teacher’s Guide and Student Workbook for Paul Winter’s Earth: Voices of a Planet, Opera ‐ All of Music and More, numerous music collections for recorder and Orff instruments and teaching guides for MENC projects.

Role in Spotlight on Music:

• Coordinated team of authors and writers who outlined, determined content goals, and selected song and listening materials and wrote lessons for Spotlight on Reading sections, Student and Teacher Editions.
• Wrote lessons for Student Books and Teachers Editions, Spotlight on Concepts section.
• Contributed to overall planning to determine direction and goals for new program.
• Coordinated creative development of, and contributed lessons to, Kindergarten program.
• Co-authored Multilevel Strategies for English Language Learners, authored Using MusicTime with Spotlight on Music.

Areas of interest/expertise:
Orff process, K–8 music, teacher training, music and technology, early childhood, music reading pedagogy, piano performance

Education:
B.S., M.A., Texas Woman's University; Orff-Schulwerk Certifi cation, Denver University

Honors and awards:
Award for literary excellence and enrichment of the cultural heritage of the Southwest (Border Regional Library Association), honorary membership in the American Orff-Schulwerk Association

Prior publications:
Numerous articles in professional publications; Make a Joyful Noise, De Colores, Niñez

Role in Spotlight on Music:

• Selected song materials and wrote lessons for Student Book and Teachers Edition.
• Wrote "Spotlight on Recorder" two volumes.

Areas of interest/expertise:
Children's Hispanic folklore, Orff process, recorder, K–8 music education, teacher training

Education:
D.M.A., M.Mus., University of Oregon; Dip.Ed., University of Calgary; B.Ed. B.Sc., University of Alberta

Honors and awards:
Named to the Edmonton Cultural Hall of Fame; Richard S. Eaton Award for Exemplary Service to Choral Music in the Province of Alberta; A.C. Rutherford Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching at the University of Alberta

Prior publications:
Author, Share the Music K–8 (Macmillan/McGraw Hill); Canada: Its Music; Hooray for Singing! Part Singing Experiences for Upper Elementary and Middle School

Role in Spotlight on Music:

• Selected song materials and wrote lessons for Student Books and Teachers Editions.
• Contributed to overall planning to determine direction and goals for new program.
• Contributed to overall planning to determine direction and goals for new program.

Areas of interest/expertise:
Orff process, K–8 music education, choral development, English handbell ringing

Carol Gnojewski is a teacher and writer who lives in the Pacific Northwest. She specializes in working with young children and developing stories, dramas, and educational materials. Carol received her B.A. in Children's Theatre and Creative Writing from Northwestern University and an M.Ed. in Creative Arts Curriculum Studies from Lesley University.

Education:
Ph.D., University of Colorado; M.M. Indiana University, B.M. Oberlin College Conservatory of Music

Honors and awards:
Named Outstanding Educator of the Year by the Organization of American Kodály Educators, Distinguished Teaching Award, Indiana University

Prior publications:
Coordinating author, Share the Music, K–8 (Macmillan/McGraw Hill); Co-Author, Educating Young Singers (A Resource for Teacher-Conductors); numerous published original compositions and vocal arrangements (Boosey & Hawkes). Global Voices Interactive (A Series of Interactive DVDs)

Role in Spotlight on Music:

• Coordinated team of authors and writers who outlined, determined content goals, selected song and listening materials and wrote lessons for Student and Teacher Editions.
• Contributed to overall planning to determine direction and goals for new program.
• Collected and contributed performances for Global Voices feature, Grades 1–6.

Areas of interest/expertise:
Multicultural Music Education K–8 music, Orff process, Kodály approach, music teacher education, children's choirs, vocal development

Education:
B. Mus. Ed., Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas; M.A. in Supervision, The University of North Texas, Denton

Honors and awards:
Elementary Vice President, Texas Music Educators Association and Texas Choral Directors Association; Director, Garland All-City Girls Choir

Prior publications:
Author, Share the Music, K–8 (Macmillan/McGraw Hill), The Composers' Special: Teacher's Guide (for video series), Thirty Days to Rhythm, Thirty Days to Melody

Role in Spotlight on Music:

• Wrote lessons for Student Book and Teachers Edition, Spotlight on Celebrations section.
• Contributed to overall planning to determine direction and goals for Spotlight on Celebrations sections.
• Reviewed plans and goals for new series.

Areas of interest/expertise:
K–8 music education, choral development and conducting

Education:
B.A. of Music Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Masters of Liberal Studies, Georgetown University

Honors and awards:
Presidential Point Of Light Award Winner; Parent's Choice Award Winner; iParenting Media Award Winner

Prior publications:
Hundreds of published songs, musicals and classroom materials; recordings, videos, DVDs

Role in Spotlight on Music:

• Planned and wrote lessons for In the Spotlight sections, Grades 1–6, Student Editions.
• Contributed show choir choreography strategies to accompany selected songs, Grades 1–6.
• Appears on Grade-Level DVDs to demonstrate choreography.

Areas of interest/expertise:
K–8 music education, choreography, composing and arranging

Education:
St. Olaf College, Case-Western Reserve University, The Ohio State University

Honors and awards:
Presidential Point Of Light Award Winner; Parent's Choice Award Winner; iParenting Media Award Winner

Prior publications:
Author, Music and You K–8, Share the Music K–8 (both Macmillan/McGraw Hill), Experiencing Choral Music 6–12, numerous original compositions and choral arrangements, numerous articles in professional journals, National Coalition for Core Arts Standards Music Standards Writing Committee, for the National Association for Music Education

Role in Spotlight on Music:

• Selected song materials and wrote lessons for Student Book and Teachers Edition.
• Contributed to overall planning to determine direction and goals for new program.
• Participated in outlining and determining specific content goals.

Areas of interest/expertise:
Music education, middle school, choral clinician, conducting, composing and arranging for the young voice, curriculum development, assessment

Education:
BME, MM: Indiana University

Honors and awards:
President, American Orff Schulwerk Association, National Conference Chair for 2009 AOSA Professional Development Conference

Prior publications:
Music education publications on Boomwhackers™, recorder, hand drums, congas, modes and Orff instruments

Role in Spotlight on Music:

• Selected song materials and wrote lessons for Student Book and Teachers Edition.
• Participated in outlining and determining specific content goals.

Areas of interest/expertise:
Orff process, K–8 music education, creative improvisation strategies for elementary and middle school

Prior publications:
Author, Share the Music, K–8 (Macmillan/McGraw Hill); books for recorder and Orff instruments; curriculum guides

Role in Spotlight on Music:

• Selected song materials and wrote lessons for Student Book and Teachers Edition.
• Contributed to overall planning to determine direction and goals for new program.
• Participated in outlining and determining specific content goals.

Areas of interest/expertise:
Grades K–8 music education, Orff process, recorder

Danette Littleton, Ph.D. in Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction, is a writer, educator, and consultant specializing in young children's musicality. Her studies with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers identify the distinctive content and quality of children’s self-initiated play with music as the center of early learning and culture. Her work includes research, lecturing, writing, and curriculum development.

Education:
D.M.A., M.M., University of Arizona; B.M., Cincinnati Conservatory of Music

Honors and awards:
Distinguished Alumna, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music; Bravo Award from the Albuquerque Arts Alliance for "Outstanding Music Educator"

Prior publications:
Numerous articles in professional journals; Roots and Branches: A Legacy of Multicultural Music for Children, We'll Be in Your Mountains, We'll Be in Your Songs: A Navajo Woman Sings

Role in Spotlight on Music:

• Selected song materials and wrote lessons for Student Book and Teachers Edition.
• Participated in outlining and determining specific content goals.

Areas of interest/expertise:
Grades K–8 music education, Orff process, Native American music, multicultural music

Prior publications:
Writer, Share the Music, K–8 (Macmillan/McGraw Hill)

Role in Spotlight on Music:

• Contributed lessons and lesson strategies.

Areas of interest/expertise:
K–8 music education, Kodály approach, Orff process

Education:
B.Mus. Ed., Ohio Wesleyan University; Graduate Master in Dance Education, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Orff Certification: Three levels plus master class, Hamline University

Honors and awards:
Educator of Achievement in the Humanities for the State of Missouri; Educator of Achievement for the St. Louis area

Prior publications:
Author, Share the Music, K–8 (Macmillan/McGraw Hill)

Role in Spotlight on Music:

• Selected song materials and wrote lessons for Student Book and Teachers Edition.
• Contributed to overall planning to determine direction and goals for new program.
• Participated in outlining and determining specific content goals.

Areas of interest/expertise:
Grades K–8 music education; teacher trainer in the Orff process; music, dance, and movement; composer and producer of musical plays for children

Prior publications:
Author, Share the Music, K–8 (Macmillan/McGraw Hill)

Role in Spotlight on Music:

• Selected song materials and wrote lessons for Spotlight on Reading sections, Student Book and Teachers Edition.
• Contributed to overall planning to determine direction and goals for Spotlight on Reading sections.
• Participated in outlining and determining specific content goals.

Areas of interest/expertise:
Kodály approach, K–8 general music, folk music research

Fred Rogers Known as "America's favorite neighbor," Fred Rogers dedicated his life to serving children through public television as creator, composer, writer, puppeteer, and host of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Hedda Sharapan, his long-time co-author and colleague at his non-profit company, Family Communications, Inc., has an M.S. in Child Development and assisted in adapting his writings for the Art Related Activities.

Education
B.S., University of Connecticut; M.A. Montclair State College; Ph.D., University of Connecticut

Honors and awards:
Music Scholar-in-Residence, Connecticut State Department of Education; invited presenter on early childhood arts curriculum, Children's Television Workshop; NAACP Education Award, invited presenter, USDOE/PBS Ready-to-Learn symposium, "Children, Media and Literacy," Curriculum Director, USDOE Media Grant: Project LAMP.

Prior publications:
Coordinating author, Share the Music, K–8; author. Music and You, K–8 (both Macmillan/McGraw Hill); numerous articles, books, and multimedia teaching materials, including Total Learning Digital

Role in Spotlight on Music:

• Coordinated team of authors and writers who outlined, determined content goals, and selected song and listening materials and wrote lessons Student and Teacher Editions.
• Wrote lessons for Student Book and Teachers Edition.

Areas of interest/expertise:
Orff process, K–8 music education, teacher training/PD, arts-infused instructional design, brain development, total literacy, digital learning

Education:
B. Ed., B.A., M.M. , Ph.D

Honors and awards:
Presidential Teaching Award; Resolution by the State of Texas House of Representatives for music education community programs in South Texas

Prior publications:
Various book reviews

Role in Spotlight on Music:

• Selected, arranged, and reviewed Hispanic song materials for all grades.
• Selected song materials and wrote lesson strategies for iFiesta de canciones! Vols. 1 and 2.
• Co-authored Multilevel Strategies for English Language Learners.

Areas of interest/expertise:
K–8 music education, early childhood music, Hispanic children’s songs, Classical and Flamenco Guitar Music.

Dr. George DeGraffenreid is professor of music at California State University, Fresno. He previously taught music in Colorado and California public schools. He is actively engaged in music education curriculum development, having contributed to various elementary and secondary general music and instrumental publications. He has also designed teacher preparation and certification standards at the state and national levels. He is an active researcher investigating student learning and teacher education in music.

The late Dr. Charles Fowler was a lifetime educator, author, and spokesperson, championing the right of students to acquire an understanding of their musical heritage. For this program, he created a broad and engaging structure and assembled an impressive team in order to produce a set of educational materials that will open the study of music to many more students.

Dr. Timothy Gerber teaches in the School of Music at The Ohio State University. He also volunteers as a music teacher in Columbus middle and high schools. Like many students, Professor Gerber listens to music continuously, enjoying new and old sounds alike. He has been honored with the Distinguished Teaching Award in the OSU School of Music, and with his selection as the Roy Acuff Chair of Excellence in the Creative Arts at Austin Peay State University.

Education
B.M. M.A, The Pennsylvania State University; Ph. D. Case Western Reserve University

Honors and awards:
Outstanding Alumni Award, The Pennsylvania State University

Prior publications:
Coordinating author of Share the Music; author, Music and You (both K–8, Macmillan/McGraw Hill), Music! Its Role and Importance in Our Lives (high school text, Glencoe/McGraw Hill)

Role in Music! Its Role:

• Coordinated team of authors and writers who outlined, determined content goals, selected song and listening materials, and wrote lessons.
• Wrote and revised lessons for Student Book and Teachers Edition.
• Contributed to overall planning to determine direction and goals for new program.
• Coordinated Broadway for Kids sections in cooperation with Music Theater International.
• Coordinated From the Top feature in cooperation with From the Top.
• Coordinated Music with Midi components.

Areas of interest/expertise:
K–8 music education; choral conducting; curriculum development; music and technology

Education:
Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Music from Arizona State University; Master of Music in Music Education from the Peabody Conservatory of Music; Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Carthage College

Areas of interest/expertise:
Conducting, music education, global music, music theory

Education:
Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Case Western Reserve University; Master of Education Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis; D.M.A. from Northwestern University

Honors and awards:
Zenos Hawkinson Award for Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership

Prior publications:
Over 150 choral works, Henry Leck Creating Artistry Choral Series, Colla Voce Music Company, Mary Alice Stollack Choral Series, Essential Elements for Choir, Glencoe and Hal Leonard’s Experiencing Choral Music, and Music Express! Teachers Magazine

Areas of interest/expertise:
Composition, choral conducting, African American music, music education

Lynne Gackle currently is Professor of Ensembles and Associate Director of Choral Activities at Baylor University (Waco, TX) where she conducts the Baylor Bella Voce and the Baylor Concert Choir. Dr. Gackle is an active clinician, conductor and adjudicator for choral clinics, honor choirs, workshops and festivals throughout the United States and abroad. Dr. Gackle has conducted All-State choirs in 28 states, several divisional ACDA honor choirs and two ACDA national honor choirs. She has served as president of ACDA-Florida and the ACDA's Southern Division. She is the author of Finding Ophelia's Voice, Opening Ophelia's Heart: Nurturing the Adolescent Female Voice, published by Heritage Music Press and was a contributing author to the GIA publication, Conducting Women's Choirs: Strategies for Success. Dr. Gackle received her BME from Louisiana State University and her MM and Ph.D. from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida.

Kari Gilbertson has been teaching choral music for the last 24 years and has teaching experience at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels, currently serving as Head Choir Director at Lake Highlands High School in Richardson ISD. In addition to being teacher mentor, Ms. Gilbertson is an active performer and soloist in community, church, and professional choirs. She was a contributing author for the Glencoe textbook series Experiencing Choral Music and the McGraw Hill Elementary series Spotlight on Music. Ms. Gilbertson is an active staff development presenter, adjudicator, clinician, and honor choir conductor throughout the country. She holds a graduate degree from Southern Methodist University.

Education:
Doctorate in Conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music

Honors and awards:
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Milwaukee Civic Music Association's 2003 Award of Excellence in Choral Music and Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Prior publications:
"Women, Conductors, and the Tenure Process: What's Up In The Academy?" appearing in GIA Publication's Women Choral Conductors On Their Art and ACDA's Voice Training in the Choral Classroom

Areas of interest/expertise:
Guest conductor, clinician, vocal health, and pedagogy

Education:
Bachelor of Music at University of Wisconsin; Master of Music in Choral Conducting at Indiana University

Honors and awards:
Outstanding University Music Educator of the Year, 1992; Indiana Arts Commission Governor's Arts Award, 2007

Prior publications:
Colla Voce's Vocal techniques for the Young Singer, Hal Leonard’s The Boy’s (Changing) Expanding Voice: Take the High Road, Hal Leonard's Creating Artistry through Movement: Dalcroze Eurhythmics in the Choral Setting, and Glencoe and Hal Leonard's Experiencing Choral Music

Areas of interest/expertise:
Specialist in vocal techniques for the young singer, boy's changing voice, children's Choirs

The late Michael O'Hern taught choral music at the High School and the Jr. High Level for 31 years. He retired from Lake Highlands High School as Director of Choral Activities in May of 2013. A graduate of West Texas State University, Mr. O'Hern is a past president of the Texas Choral Directors Association, and has served as choral vice president of the Texas Music Adjudicators Association. He was a contributing author for the Hal Leonard textbook series, "Essential Elements for Choir" and was a lead high school author of "Experiencing Choral Music" and for "Voices in Concert."

Education:
Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Music Education from Louisiana State University

Honors and awards:
V.I.P. of Teaching Excellence from Carrollton Farmer’s Branch ISD, Lifetime PTA Award

Prior publications:
Glencoe and Hal Leonard’s Experiencing Choral Music and Hal Leonard’s Essential Elements for Choir, Kodály in the Classroom, Aaron Copland: The Music of an Uncommon Man (Lessons and Activities based on the works of Aaron Copland)

Areas of interest/expertise:
Presented workshops nationally in the areas of middle school choral music and assessment in the performing arts