Sawtooth Mountain Elementary music teacher Ann Russ and two young friends at the West African drumming session during the Minnesota Music Educators Association conference in February 2010.
Ann Russ, along with over 1,100 music colleagues, recently attended the 2010 Minnesota Music Educators Association Midwinter In-Service Clinic held February 11-13 in the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Russ, who teaches K-5 music at Sawtooth Mountain Elementary, attended more than a dozen sessions, including workshops by Lyz Jaakola, Anishinaabe drummer, singer, and music educator; West African drumming led by Sowah Mensah, Ghanaian drummer and ethnomusicologist; and Kodaly and Orff offerings of singing, saying, dancing, and instrument playing.
“One of the most inspiring sessions I attended was led by David Birrow who had his fifth and six graders playing some amazing rhythm combinations on simple ‘junk,’” said Russ. “If anyone has clean five-gallon buckets, please let me know or drop them off at Sawtooth Mountain, I have some great new ideas for percussion ensembles!”
Participation in the clinic was made possible, in part, by funds from Cook County Schools staff development funds.
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