MEET THE GPOC BOARD:
Kaitlin Beck
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Kaitlin Beck is in her eighth year teaching K-5 general music at DC West Elementary School in Valley, Nebraska. Outside of the school day, she sponsors ukulele and drum clubs and serves as the Youth Choir Director at Urban Abbey. Prior to teaching at DC West, Kaitlin worked 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 holds a Bachelor of Music in Education with an emphasis in K-12 vocal music from Nebraska Wesleyan University and a Masters of Arts in Music Education with an Orff Schulwerk concentration from the University of St. Thomas. Kaitlin has completed her Orff Schulwerk and World Music Drumming certification levels and actively pursues additional development in both disciplines. 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.
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Kathleen McBee is in her tenth 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 and is currently pursuing a Masters in Music Education at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She has completed all three levels of Orff Schulwerk at UNL and all three levels of Kodály at UNO. Kathleen presents at the local and national level where she enjoys presenting on Orff-inspired programs, planning techniques, and the integration of mindfulness and breathwork in the classroom. In her free time, Kathleen likes to teach and practice yoga, read books, and go on runs. She lives in Omaha with her husband, Jesse, and her three rescue dogs, Stu, Winston, and Leo.
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Kathleen McBee
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Lori Mills
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Lori Mills has taught PreK-8th general music in her 11 years of teaching. Throughout those years, Lori directed a 4th-8th choir for 7 years, and was the director for 3 junior high musicals. 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, and level 1 of Kodály. In her free time, Lori likes to play tennis and go on long bike rides.
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Kristine Wolfe has been teaching Pre K-6 Music & Band in the Papillion - La Vista (NE) Community Schools for over 20 years. In addition to directing choir and an Orff ensemble every year, Kristine also serves on the PLCS Elementary Music Teacher Leadership Team. She earned a Bachelor of Music from Iowa State University and a Master of Music from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Kristine currently serves on the AOSA Fund Development Subcommittee and has attended the National Conference every year since 2006. She has been on the GPOC (Great Plains Orff Chapter) Board since 2005, having served as President, Vice President and Membership Chair before taking over as Program Chair in 2015. In addition to her Kodaly training, Kristine has been an AOSA Certified Teacher Educator since 2013. She teaches both Level I & II Orff courses every summer and is an active clinician at workshops and conventions throughout the United States. Most recently, Kristine presented at the AOSA National Convention in 2021, KMEA in 2022, NMEA and IMEA in 2023. Kristine also co-directed the first ever Orff Ensemble at the Nebraska Music Educators Association (NMEA) Conference in 2022.
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Kristine Wolfe
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Anne Malsam
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Anne Malsam is in her fifth 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 and II from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This will be her fourth year serving on the board, and second year serving as publications editor. Anne received a Master’s degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Concordia University. In her free time, Anne likes to sew, cook, write letters, and spend time with her family and friends.
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Emma Shaner is in her ninth 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 directed two shows with the Disney Musicals in Schools Program through Omaha Performing Arts. Emma will be starting her sixth year at Cody Elementary in Millard Public Schools where she teaches PreK-5th grade general music, and sponsors after school Art Club. Emma has completed three levels of Orff-Schulwerk training, all from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Level I of World Music Drumming at Nebraska Wesleyan. This will be Emma’s sixth season serving on the Great Plains Orff Chapter board. When not singing, speaking, moving, or playing, Emma enjoys crafting, tending to her plants, playing board games, and being dog mom to her goldendoodle, Billie.
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Emma Shaner
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Claire Heithoff
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Claire Heithoff teaches K-6 Music at Bell Elementary for Papillion-La Vista Schools. She graduated from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln in 2019, and completed her masters in music education in 2024. She is currently in her seventh 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 that currently has over 80 members. In addition to teaching elementary music, Claire 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.
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Michael Stinman currently serves as the General Music Specialist (K-5) and the Middle School Jazz Band director at Treynor Community Schools in Treynor, Iowa. This is his 9th year at Treynor and 13th 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. Michael is currently the President of the local Kodály chapter: Plains States Kodály Organization (PSKOR.) He is a proud member of AOSA (American Orff-Schulwerk Association), OAKE (Organization of American Kodaly Educators), and is also a Member-at-Large for the local Orff chapter: Great Plains Orff Chapter.
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Michael Stinman
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Jake Consbruck
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Jake Consbruck is the K-5 Music specialist at Kenwood Elementary in Kearney Public Schools. He will be starting his 7th year of teaching, all 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, II, and III of Orff-Schulwerk at UNL, and Level I of World Music Drumming at Nebraska Wesleyan.
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Sarah Elker currently teaches K-5 general music at Riley Elementary School in Lincoln, Nebraska. She also directs the choir and folk dance club. She holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from Eastern Illinois University (2010) and a Masters Degree in Education from Morningside University (2016). Prior to teaching in Lincoln, she taught in Sioux City, Iowa for ten years and she taught kindergarten in Seoul, South Korea (2011). Sarah has completed training for Orff Levels I and II, and Conversational Solfege. She has additional training in World Music Drumming and First Steps in Music. She recently presented at NMEA. Sarah is happy to be a member of AOSA (American Orff-Schulwerk Association), and FAME (Feierabend Association for Music Education). In her free time she loves to read, walk her dog, Clover, and play board games with her husband, Eric.
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Sarah Elker
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Ruah Kim
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Ruah Kim's Korean name is Hye-Jin Cha. She was a member of the Korean Orff Schulwerk Association (KOSA) and an instructor at the Korean Orff Music Education Institute (KOMEI), an affiliate of KOSA. She has taught kindergarten and elementary school students for 10 years, creating music and lessons, and participating in research and development projects. Additionally, as an instructor for the Korean Orff Music Teacher Certification Program conducted by KOSA, she has trained and educated many music teachers through Orff music education. She completed Orff Schulwerk Level I in San Francisco in 2008, Level II and III at George Mason University (GMU) in Virginia in 2010, 2011. Her Orff music education in Korea taught her that music, dance and culture from around the world are important tools for teaching children about the beauty and joy of life, as well as understanding, cooperation and respect. With this new vision, she is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Christian Music Education at Liberty University in Virginia.
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Amanda Courtney is in her Senior year at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, pursuing a Bachelor’s in Music Education. At UNL, she is involved in the Cornhusker Marching Band, Repertory Jazz Ensemble, and is an active member of the collegiate NAfME chapter. This summer, Amanda completed her Orff Level 1 training. In her free time, she likes to play pickleball, crochet, and spend time with friends and family. This is her first year serving as a Member-at-Large for the Great Plains Orff Chapter.
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Amanda Courtney
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