Drumming United

Discover how drumming in your classroom unites students with each other; builds musical knowledge; encourages metaphysical participation; and creates a community environment. This hands-on session demonstrates the teaching process of utilizing drums in the elementary music classroom. Activities and lessons are kid-tested and applicable for Monday morning!

Sandy Lantz 

Edison Park Creative & Expressive Arts Elementary
Retired

Sandy Lantz has taught elementary music at Edison Park Creative & Expressive Arts Elem. in Ft Myers, FL since 1991. She received a BME from Eastern Kentucky Univ. and is certified in Orff-Schulwerk. Currently, Sandy co- teaches Level I teacher training courses at the Univ. of Central Florida, Stetson Univ. and Fla Intn’l Univ. with Gretchen Wahlberg. Sandy has been a guest conductor/clinician for all-state students and all-county ensembles. In 2016, Sandy and Gretchen were the co-conductors and clinicians FMEA All-State Orff Ensemble and South Regional Orff in 2018. They have co-taught workshops for Orff Chapters across the country, as well as, Nat’l AOSA conferences and state MEA conventions. Sandy co-authored the musicals “Treasures of the Orient” and “Western Trails”, which earned the Univ. of New Hampshire’s Zornio Memorial Playwriting Award. They have co-authored “Drum It Up”, “Creative Bits with Children’s Lit”, “S’more Bits with Children’s Lit”, and “Strum It UP.

Gretchen Wahlberg 

Veteran's Park Academy for the Arts
Retired

Gretchen Wahlberg has taught music for over 35 years in Fort Myers, Florida. She received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Music Ed. from FSU. She has completed her Orff Level teacher trainings I, II, III and Master Class. She currently co-teaches Level I teacher training course at University of Central Florida with Sandy Lantz. Her students have performed for the FMEA All State Chorus; her drum group has performed for the conference in 2004 and 2007as well as the Edison Festival of Lights Junior Parade. She won the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program in 1996. Gretchen is National Board Certified and received the 2011 Florida Elementary Music Teacher of the Year. In 2016, Gretchen and Sandy co-directed the inaugural FMEA All-State Orff Ensemble. She and Sandy Lantz have co-authored the books, “Drum It Up”, “Creative Bits with Children’s Lit”, “Strum It Up” and “S’More Bits”.

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.