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Manju Durairaj was born and raised in India and studied in Pune, India. As a graduate student at Middlesex University in London, she was involved in research projects on comparative pedagogical practices of Indian (Carnatic) and Western music. Later, at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, she earned her second master’s degree as well as her K–12 teaching certification. Durairaj is currently the lower school music teacher at the Latin School of Chicago. She is past president of the Greater Chicago Orff Chapter and is a certified Orff-Schulwerk instructor and arts integration specialist. She also serves an adjunct professor at VanderCook College of Music, Chicago, where she teaches curriculum and elementary methods courses. She is a frequent clinician for state, national, and international conferences. She has been published in numerous publications, including the Orff Echo, Reverberations, Illinois Music Educators Journal, General Music Today, and the Journal of the Council for Research in Music Education.
In this workshop, participants will explore activities based on movement, body percussion, songs, chants, and games. Children’s literature will also be used, along with multicultural music and dance, to help students create, improvise, and compose. The workshop will help teachers learn to design activities that enable their students to collaborate and create together, using protocols defined for responsive classrooms. Because the nature of instruction may involve virtual, hybrid, or socially distanced in-person instruction, all activities will be adapted for various teaching scenarios. Simple apps and virtual instruments that lend themselves to creative music making will be integrated when possible.
During this session, Manju Durairaj will be in her virtual classroom ready to answer specific questions and to provide one-on-one time with participants who desire additional information about elementary music related issues or music education concerns.
Rhythm and body percussion playalong videos have become wonderful aides for introducing, practicing, and performing rhythms. This interlude will introduce teachers to creating these playalongs using PowerPoint or Keynote.
