Kathleen McBee is in her ninth 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. 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.
Meet Anne PUBLICATIONS EDITOR
Anne Malsam is in her fourth 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 Emma SECRETARY/EDITOR
Emma Shaner is in her eighth 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 fifth year at Cody Elementary in Millard Public Schools where she teaches PreK-5th grade students. 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 fifth season serving on the Great Plains Orff Chapter board. When not singing, speaking, moving, or playing, Emma enjoys crafting, cooking, tending to her plants, playing board games, and being dog mom to her black goldendoodle, Billie.
Meet Claire MEMBERSHIP CHAIR
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 MEMBER-AT-LARGE
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.
Meet Sarah
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
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 Level I, 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.
Meet Kaitlin CO-PRESIDENT
Kaitlin Beck is in her seventh year teaching K-5 general music at DC West Elementary School in Valley, Nebraska. Outside of the school day, she sponsors the 3rd-5th grade ukulele club and is the Children's Music Director at Urban Abbey. 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 Lori TREASURER
Lori Mills has taught PreK-8th general music in her 10 + years of teaching. She is starting her 4th 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, and level 1 of Kodály. In her free time, Lori likes to play tennis and go on long bike rides.
Meet Kristine PROGRAM CHAIR
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.
Meet Chelsea MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Chelsea Kuddes is in her 15th year of teaching, and 12th 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 seventh year serving on the GPOC Board. Chelsea and her husband, Caleb, spend their free time enjoying their three kids.
Meet Jake MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Jake Consbruck is the K-5 Music specialist at Kenwood Elementary in Kearney Public Schools. He will be starting his 6th year of teaching and this will be his 6th 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, II, and III of Orff-Schulwerk at UNL, and Level I of World Music Drumming at Nebraska Wesleyan. Jake will be getting married in September! This is his 2nd year as a Member at Large on the Great Plains Orff Chapter Board.
