About Danai

Danai A. Gagné, (d.2023) a native of Greece, had a strong background in dance, piano, and composition. She was the director of the Orff Certification Program at Trevor Institute for Lifelong Learning in Manhattan, New York. She was a presenter in numerous certification programs around the USA and conducted seminars and workshops in Europe, Canada, and Asia. Danai held a certificate from the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria, and was a direct link to Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman. She also had a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Music and Dance Education from Empire State College. Recently she was the recipient of the “Distinguished Service Award” from the American Orff Schulwerk Association in 2007. Danai Gagnè co-authored A Seasonal Kaleidoscope, The Raccoon Philosopher (both published by Schott), and produced a CD titled, It Moves Me: World Music Warm-ups for Dance. Singing Wind, Breathing Drums is published by Beatin’ Path Publications, LLC. Danai most recently was on the music faculty in the elementary division of Trevor Day School in Manhattan, New York.

About Judith

Judith Thomas-Solomon is a well-known music educator, author, and pianist who lives in Saratoga Springs, NY. She holds an undergraduate degree in Music Education and a Masters of Music in piano performance from the U. of Illinois where she subsequently taught. She also trained and later taught and co-directed symposia at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, and has taught certification courses, master classes, and workshops in over 50 universities here and in Canada. She is known for her passion about bringing students to music, and strongly believes that all subjects in education are " like fingers on the same hand." She also espouses that the need is especially volcanic in today's world for integrating curricula in the creative ways the Orff Schulwerk approach offers.