Summer 2025 Faculty

Tanya LeJeune, Level 1 Pedagogy/Analysis & Retrieval

Ms. LeJeune is in her nineteenth year teaching general music in Jefferson County Public Schools in Westminster, Colorado. She holds a Master’s of Music Education with Kodály emphasis degree from Colorado State University and is past president of ROCKE. Ms. LeJeune has presented music education workshops and in-services for OAKE, CMEA, Jefferson County Public Schools, Adams County 50, Adams County 14, AOSA Rocky Mountain Chapter, Broomfield Preschool, Colorado Christian College, and Metro State University. She currently serves as a member at large on the board of the Organization of American Kodály Educators.

Crystal Henricks—Level 2 Pedagogy/Analysis, Research, & Retrieval

Ms. Henricks teaches lower school general music at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. Her 22 years of experience includes nursery school, 12th grade general, and choral music in Chicago and China. She holds a B.S. in Music Education from Asbury College, Kodály Certification and MMEd from Capital University, Levels I-III Orff Schulwerk Certification from The University of Kentucky and Anderson University. She is a Master Teaching Artist with The American Eurhythmics Society.  She has a special interest in applying Kodály and Dalcroze processes to music from various cultures and styles and helping teachers develop a unique and specific curriculum for their community. She is an active clinician for workshops throughout the United States.  She has taught music pedagogy and folk song research classes at DePaul University, VanderCook College of Music, and the University of Central Missouri.

Amanda Isaac—Level 1 Pedagogy/Analysis & Retrieval

Ms. Isaac holds a B.A. and M.A. in Music from California State University Chico. As the 2005 recipient of the inaugural Eva Vendrei Award at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, she completed her National Kodály Certification there with training under Ann Eisen, Lamar Robertson, Andrea Antoni (Kodály Institute Kecskemét), and Royce and Susan Tevis. Amanda also trained under Gemma Arguelles and Helga Dietrich at Holy Names University. Currently, Amanda directs a high school choir program in Norris School District in Bakersfield, California, and her choirs consistently earn superior or higher ratings at festivals. Ms. Isaac has presented conference sessions at the regional and state level, served as Guest Conductor for multiple honor choirs, and taught at Loyola University’s Kodaly Levels Institute. She is the President of the Kern County Music Educators’ Association, hosts the Kern County CMEA Choral Ratings Festival, and is active in the California Music Educators’ Association, American Choral Directors Association, and Organization of American Kodály Educators. In 2013, she was KCMEA’s Choral Educator of the Year. Amanda is also the Director of Music for First Congregational Church, UCC in Bakersfield.

Kati Virágh, Solfége and Musicianship

Ms. Viragh performs as a member of the Hartford Symphony and is adjunct professor of Theory/Ear Training at The Hartt School within the University of Hartford. Ms. Viragh trained at the Béla Bartók Conservatory of Music and the Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, Hungary. As a violinist, she was a member of the Hungarian National Opera when she was invited to join the Orchestra Symphonica Tenerife in Canary Island, Spain. She has lived in the U.S. since 1990 and has performed as a member of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra. She is also a founder of the Virágh Trio. In addition to teaching at Colorado State, Ms. Virágh teaches in Kodály programs at Nebraska Wesleyan University, Nebraska State University, Wichita State University, and< New England Conservatory.

Bonnie Jacobi—Director

Dr. Jacobi is an associate professor of Music Education at Colorado State University. For more than twenty years, she has taught music to children throughout Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Texas and directed thirteen children's choirs that have performed at professional venues. In 2008, she founded the Meadows Community Youth Chorus in Dallas for elementary-aged children without music in their schools. Dr. Jacobi holds a D.M.A. in Music Education from the University of Houston, an M.M. in Piano Performance from the University of Texas at Austin, and a B.A. in Music from Mount Holyoke College. She earned her Kodály Certification from Indiana University and McNeese State University and holds a Eurhythmics Certificate from the American Eurhythmics Society, where she serves as a Master Teaching Artist. Dr. Jacobi has published articles in the Journal of General Music Education (formerly General Music Today), Music Educators Journal, Kodály Envoy, American Music Teacher, and the Journal of Historical Research in Music Education. She serves on the Editorial Board of JHRME and co-created the first digital archive of research on women in music education through SAGE Publications.

Nathan Payant, Choir Director and Conducting Instructor

Dr. Nathan Payant is a devoted conductor, educator, and singer who strives to cultivate lasting connections with others through the choral arts. He has choral teaching and conducting experience at the middle school, high school, college, community, and professional levels. Dr. Payant is an instructor of music at Colorado State University, where he directs choirs and teaches conducting and courses in music education and music therapy. He has served on the Colorado All-State Choir Board, the Vocal Music Council of CMEA, and the Colorado ACDA Council. He is a dedicated advocate for music education, emphasizing lifelong singing. Dr. Payant is also an active member of the professional choral community in Colorado. He directs the Fort Collins community choir, Laudamus Chamber Chorale, is the Chorus Personnel Manager for Colorado Bach Ensemble, and currently sings professionally with CBE. In addition, he is the Director of Music & Arts at First United Methodist Church in Fort Collins. Dr. Payant earned his degrees from the University of Colorado (D.M.A. in Conducting and Literature), Colorado State University (M.M. in Conducting), and Northern State University (B.M.E.).

Who participates in a Kodály Institute?

Many different types of students participate! The Colorado Kodály Institute is designed for students who want to become the best musician they can be and the best teacher they can be!

Participants in our program have included: elementary classroom music instructors, middle school ensemble instructors (i.e. choir), independent music instructors, community choir directors, and even students with a performance background who wish to pursue music teaching in the future. Additionally, secondary music instructors (i.e. Band) and even special education teachers have found Kodály teaching to be useful.

Prerequisites include:

• successful completion of an undergraduate degree in music or music education*
• performing ability on an instrument

*Current undergraduate students who have reached Upper-Division status may also be considered. Applicants who do not hold an undergraduate degree but hold music teaching experience may be considered under special circumstances and will be asked to take an Entrance Music Proficiency Exam prior to acceptance.

Where will the classes be held?

The classes will be held at 1400 Remington Ave. Fort Collins, CO on the CSU campus. The building is known as the University Center of the Arts, formerly the Fort Collins High School.

Where can I park?

During the summer, daily parking permits are available for the Z lot behind the University Center for the Arts. There is also some street parking available in the back and on the sides of the UCA.

How do I register for the program?

Register here.

What about lodging?

There are dorms available for rent during the summer. They operate similarly to hotel rooms and you may choose to room with another Levels student in the program. Some students choose to stay in an Airbnb rental or opt to reserve a weekly stay in a local hotel or motel.

What items do I need to bring to the Institute daily?

You will need to bring a laptop each day. Additional suggested items include pens, pencils, a highlighter, white-out, note-taking material, a large three-ring binder with tab folders, a tuning fork, a small ruler, a sweater for cold, air-conditioned classrooms, a water bottle, a jump drive (for homework assignments), sticky notes, index tabs, and healthy snacks. You will also need to bring the books required for the Level coursework you are taking. For this reason, a rolling crate or briefcase is very helpful.

Is lunch provided?

Lunch is not provided by the school, however, there will be several days on which we invite you to purchase a lunch order from a local eatery and we will pick it up to bring to the UCA. Students may also bring a sack lunch. Unfortunately, microwaves and refrigerators are not available.

How much time should I allot for homework?

Due to the short length of the courses, there is a substantial amount of homework assigned every night. You will want to make childcare arrangements and avoid scheduling other activities in the evenings. Each level represents 5 graduate credits and students will therefore be expected to focus almost entirely on your coursework for two weeks straight.

At the conclusion of the program, can I expect to graduate with my certificate?

Kodály Certification is awarded through OAKE when a student has successfully completed all three Levels and can demonstrate expertise in their musicianship, conducting, and Kodály teaching. Upon successfully completing Level 1, students may be promoted to enter Level 2. Upon successfully completing Level 2, students may be promoted to enter Level 3. Promotion is determined on an individual basis by the Institute Faculty and Director according to the standards and guidelines set forth by OAKE.

Are there any course obligations during the school year?

Yes, although the majority of obligations are fulfilled during the two-week Summer Institute, Level 1 and 2 students are required to make a video recording of themselves teaching students using Kodaly principles. Specific instructions, an evaluation rubric, and a deadline will be provided by your instructor. Additionally, students are strongly encouraged to prepare and perform one piece of solo repertoire on their principal instrument (can be voice as well) or as part of a chamber music group in the Summer Concert. Coaching is provided during the first week of the Institute. Students pursuing the M.M of Music Education with Kodály Emphasis have separate requirements during the school year from students in the Certification track.

Can my family/friends come to the closing concert?

Yes! Please invite your friends, family, colleagues, principal, children, etc. We would love to share your accomplishments and a little bit of the Kodály teaching principles with your family and friends! There is nothing better, after an exhausting two weeks, than to have your loved ones present to see you perform and graduate from your level.

The concert is free, open to the public, and will be video recorded.

I need to leave early on the last day, is that a problem?

Unfortunately, your attendance during the ENTIRE Institute is crucial and essential. If you were to miss a half of day, it would be equivalent to missing almost a week or more of a regularly scheduled class. Because our program is endorsed by the Organization of American Kodaly Educators (OAKE), we are held to follow their curriculum standards strictly and this includes the number of coursework hours. Please plan to be present and prepared every day of the Institute. We pack in amazing amounts of information during these 2 weeks and we don’t want you to miss out on any of it!

see a sample schedule

Summer 2017 Kodály Newsletter

Winter 2017 Kodály Newsletter

Spring 2016 Kodály Newsletter

Winter 2015 Kodály Newsletter

Summer 2014 Kodály Newsletter

Spring 2013 Kodály Newsletter

Winter 2012-2013 Kodály Newsletter

Spring 2012 Kodály Newsletter

Winter 2011-2012 Kodály Newsletter

Graduate Student Resources