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Meet Kathleen
Kathleen McBee is in her eighth year with Elkhorn Public Schools teaching K-5 general music at West Bay Elementary. Kathleen graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor's in Music Education in 2016. She has completed all three levels of Orff Schulwerk at UNL and all three levels of Kodály at UNO. In her free time, Kathleen likes to teach and practice yoga, read books, and go on runs. Kathleen also enjoys hanging out with her four and three-legged rescue dogs, Stu, Winston, and Leo. Meet Kaitlin
Kaitlin Beck is in her sixth year teaching K-5 general music at DC West Elementary School in Valley, Nebraska. Outside of the school day, she acts as the co-director and choreographer for the Disney Musicals in Schools program and sponsors ukulele club. Prior to teaching at DC West, Kaitlin served as the Associate Director of Choirs for the Omaha Children’s Choir and Music Director for the Alleluia, Amen! Children’s Choir at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lincoln. She graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2016, earning her Bachelor of Music in Education with an emphasis in K-12 vocal music. Kaitlin has completed her Orff Schulwerk and World Music Drumming certification levels and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Music Education with an Orff Schulwerk Concentration from the University of St. Thomas. She presents at the local and national level and is often inspired by the connections between movement, literature, and the visual arts. Kaitlin lives in Omaha and can be found enjoying a cup of coffee with friends and family, reading a good book, and snuggling with her cats Opal and Otis. Meet Emma
Emma Shaner is in her seventh year teaching music as a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She has taught PreK-8th grade general music at Meridian Public Schools and K-4 general music at Plattsmouth community schools where she also directed two shows with the Disney Musicals in Schools Program through Omaha Performing Arts. Emma has been at Cody Elementary in Millard Public Schools for four years, where she teaches PreK-5th grade students. Emma has completed three levels of Orff-Schulwerk training, all from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Level One of World Music Drumming at Nebraska Wesleyan. This will be Emma’s fourth year serving on the Great Plains Orff Chapter board. When not singing, speaking, moving, or playing, Emma enjoys crafting, cooking, tending to her plants, biking, and playing games with her family. Meet Claire
Claire Heithoff teaches K-6 Music at Bell Elementary in the Papillion-La Vista School District. She graduated from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln in 2019 and is in fifth year of teaching general music. She has completed Level 1 and 2 of Orff and World Drumming. Claire also has a 4th-6th grade choir that meets after school. In addition to teaching elementary music, Claire also teaches private clarinet lessons and is a woodwind specialist for the Millard North High School Band. In her spare time she enjoys playing piano and being outside with friends and family. Claire is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Music Education from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Meet Michael
Michael Stinman currently serves as the General Music Specialist (K-5), the Middle School Jazz Band director at Treynor Community Schools in Treynor, Iowa. This is his 8th year at Treynor and 12th year teaching overall. Always seeking out new educational opportunities, Michael loves finding creative ways to make a connection with his students through music. Michael earned his Bachelor's degree in Music Education and Vocal Performance from Hastings College, and is currently working toward a Master's degree in Music Education. In addition, he has completed Levels I-III and a Master Class in Orff-Schulwerk from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as well as Levels I-IV of Kodály from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. In 2019, Michael received the Charles E. Lakin Outstanding Teacher Award. He is a proud member of AOSA (American Orff-Schulwerk Association), OAKE (Organization of American Kodaly Educators), and is a board member for their respective local chapters. Meet Lindi
Lindi Eschliman is a singer, speaker, mover to her core! She is in her second year teaching General Music to Kindergarten through Fifth Grade students at Adams Elementary in Lincoln Public Schools. She loves connecting with students, helping them see themselves in the music-making process, and creating an engaging environment for learning. Watching students create their own musical experience each hour brings her joy and fulfillment. Lindi leads music club (chorus) at her school and is excited to bring her new knowledge to the ensemble. She recently completed her Level 1 Certification (Summer 2023), and was fortunate enough to receive the GPOC Levels Scholarship for this course. Lindi is full of excitement at all the upcoming years in music education, serving as a Member At Large on the GPOC Board, and incorporating the Orff Schulwerk into her teaching, will bring! |
Meet Carolyn
Carolyn Janke has taught music for 13 years. She graduated from UNL in 2009 and from UNO in 2010 where she participated in the CADRE masters degree program. She taught general music and beginning band in Bennington, NE for eleven years and K-6 music in Arlington, NE for two years. Carolyn has completed her Orff Schulwerk training I, II, and III, from UNL. She has presented at GPOC workshops as well as the NMEA convention. Carolyn has served on the Great Plains Orff Chapter board in multiple roles, including member-at-large, historian, and president. Her current job, is stay-at-home parent to her daughter and two chocolate labs. Meet Lori
Lori Mills has taught PreK-8th general music in her 10 years of teaching. She is starting her 3rd year teaching K-5 general music at Woodbrook Elementary in Elkhorn. Lori earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a dance minor from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She also received her Master’s degree in Music Education from UNL. Lori has completed all three levels of Orff Schulwerk. In her free time, Lori likes to play tennis and go on long bike rides. Meet Anne
Anne Fuelberth is in her third year of teaching K-5 general music in Omaha Public Schools. Outside of school, she acts as the music director and choreographer for the Disney Musicals in schools program. Anne has completed her Orff Schulwerk Training I from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This will be her third year serving on the board, and first year serving as publications editor. Anne is currently working towards a Master’s degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Concordia University. In her free time, Anne likes to cook, write letters, and spend time with her family and friends. Meet Chelsea
Chelsea Kuddes is in her 14th year of teaching, and 11th year at Logan View Elementary School in Hooper, Nebraska. At Logan View, she teaches K-6 General Music and co-teaches 6th Grade Band, along with Bucket Drumming, Choir, and Jazz clubs. Chelsea also teaches private piano lessons and is assistant director of the choir at St. Mary's Orthodox Church in Omaha. She completed both her Bachelor of Music Education and Master's of Music with a specialization in Music Education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Chelsea earned her Orff-Schulwerk Level I, II, and III certification at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as well. This is her sixth year serving on the GPOC Board. Chelsea and her husband, Caleb, spend their free time enjoying their three kids. Meet Jake
Jake Consbruck is the K-5 Music specialist at Kenwood Elementary in Kearney Public Schools. He will be starting his 5th year of teaching and his this will be his 5th year in Kearney. Jake graduated from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln in 2019 with his Bachelor's in K-12 Music Education, and has a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University. Jake has completed Levels I and II of Orff-Schulwerk at UNL, and Level I of World Music Drumming at Nebraska Wesleyan. In his free time, Jake enjoys going to trivia nights with his fiancé Sam. This will be his first year on the Great Plains Orff Chapter Board. Meet Katie
Katie is in her 7th year teaching elementary music. She is currently teaching at Springfield Elementary. Prior to Springfield, she taught general music and 5-12 band at Plainview Public Schools in Plainview, Nebraska. She graduated from Wayne State College in 2016 with her Bachelor's in K-12 music education, and received her Master's from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2021. Katie completed Orff Level I at Vandercook College of music in Chicago, Orff Level II at UNL in and World Music Drumming Level I at Nebraska Wesleyan. When she is not teaching, you can find her trying out new restaurants around Omaha, attending concerts and performances of all kinds, and traveling. |