Connecting Through Kodály

The students in our schools come from diverse cultures and bring individual experiences and knowledge into the music classroom. This session will explore pedagogical techniques rooted in the Kodály approach that authentically acknowledge and validate the diverse cultures of students. Participants will engage in songs, games and movement activities during this session and will leave with research-based practices that are readily applicable in a variety of teaching situations.

Dr. Megan M. Sheridan 

University of Florida
Assistant Professor

Megan Sheridan is assistant professor of music education at the University of Florida, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in music education. She has taught elementary general music in public and private schools in Pennsylvania and Maryland. She received the PhD in music education from The Ohio State University, the MA from Columbia University and the BM degree from Westminster Choir College. She is Kodály certified and serves on the National Choir Committee for OAKE. She has given presentations and workshops on singing and pedagogical approaches at schools and conferences in Ohio and Maryland.

Cynthia L. Tickel 

Westside Elementary School
Music Teacher

Cynthia L. Tickel is the music teacher at Westside Elementary School in Lake City, Florida. She has been teaching music for 10 years, conducting numerous choirs and instrumental groups in that time. She has been a co-conductor of the Columbia County Honor Choir for over five years, and she has presented workshops in Alachua, Columbia and Santa Rosa counties. She holds the MM in music education from Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. She has served as FEMEA District 5 chairwoman.

The FMEA Professional Development Conference and All-State Ensembles receive support in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.