Latin American Music in the General Music Classroom
Date
February 10-May 2, 2025
Online
Course Code
7605A
Credits
3
Tuition
$1146
Course Description
Latin American music comprises a variety of genres. As diverse as our Latinx students are, it is important to represent the music of their cultures, but also provide opportunities to learn about other Latinx cultures, too. These interactions can be best depicted in the music classroom through different mediums and lessons. This course is designed for music educators who would like to incorporate a variety of Latin American music genres and activities in the general music classroom. Participants in this course will have the opportunity to learn about different Latin American music, culture, musical history, artists, dances, and songs, apply the content through a sample variety of activities appropriate for the music classroom using Orff Schülwerk and Kodály approaches, and develop authentic lessons that are inclusive, student-driven, engaging, and equitable for their students.
Instructor
Ani Silva-Berrios is currently teaching K-5th grade general music in Virginia. Previously, Mrs.Silva-Berrios taught K-6th grade general music, along with 5th and 6th grade choir in Kansas, and K-5th grade general music in Florida. Outside the elementary classroom, she has taught undergraduate and graduate level elementary music methods courses at Missouri Western University, the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory, and Vandercook College. Ani is an active presenter and clinician having presented for the American Orff Schülwerk Association, Ohio Music Educators Association Conference, Virginia Music Educators Association Conference, Florida Music Educators Association Conference, Kansas Music Educators Association Conference, local Orff Schülwerk chapters and other organizations. She is the recently published author of “¡Vamos a jugar!”, an elementary music teacher resource with songs, movement activities, and children’s literature based on different Latin American songs and musical genres for the K-5th general music classroom. Her passion and dedication for teaching music is evident through the appreciation and love of music shown by her students. Ani earned bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Flute Performance from the University of Central Florida, and a master’s degree in Music Education with an emphasis in the Kodály method from the Hartt School of Music in Hartford, CT. While at Hartt, she earned all levels of Kodály Certifications with John Feierabend, as well as “First Steps in Music” and “Conversational Solfege” certifications. Mrs. Silva-Berrios also completed her Orff Schülwerk certification at the University of Memphis, and a masterclass level course. As such, Ani embraces a philosophy that incorporates a blend of both Orff and Kodály, diversity, and inclusivity! When she is not teaching she enjoys crafts, dancing, traveling and spending time with her husband, Juan Berrios, a professional musician and educator.