About Prairie Winds Orff
The Prairie Winds Orff Chapter was founded in 1979 by Sister Millicent Hinds, Sister Jeanette Hinds, and Teri Fay. We are dedicated Orff Schulwerk teachers in North Dakota. Our goal is to explore ways to create, sing, move, and play our way into the hearts of children through the use of Orff Schulwerk!
Prairie Winds Orff Mission is:
Prairie Winds Orff Mission is:
- to demonstrate the value of Orff-Schulwerk and promote its use in North Dakota;
- to support the professional development of our members; and,
- to inspire and advocate for the creative potential of all learners.
Events for 2024-2025
National Conference Chapter Share Session
November 23, 2024
9:00 am - 11:30 pm
member meeting 11:30-12:00
Underwood Elementary
Underwood, ND
November 23, 2024
9:00 am - 11:30 pm
member meeting 11:30-12:00
Underwood Elementary
Underwood, ND
Dalcroze and World Music Drumming
January 11, 2025
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lakewood Elementary
Mandan, ND
Come join us for a day of exploring the basics of Dalcroze and World Music Drumming with:
Taylor Heinzen 
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Laurae Dykema.
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Taylor is currently teaching general music to kinder through 5th graders at Lakewood Elementary in Mandan, ND. She received her Bachelor's degree at the University of Jamestown for Music Education in 2015. In 2018 she completed her certification in Orff-Schulwerk at the University of Mary. Taylor received her Masters of Music in Music Education from NDSU in 2021. One of her recent educational adventures is exploring and working toward certification with the American Eurhythmics Society of which she is serving as the National Board Secretary. She also enjoyed diving into Kodály world this summer with level 1 at the University of Mary. This is her 10th year teaching music.
Although music is her passion, she LOVES spending time outside with her family! Her family hikes, gardens, runs, and bikes. She is married to a wonderful guy named Bob and they have two kids: Gordon and Clarabelle. |
Laurae Dykema, a music director in the Dickinson Public Schools, taught guitar, beginning and advanced World Music Drumming and 6th grade music exploration classes. She was the Director of the Dickinson High School Ubuntu Marimba and Dickinson Middle School Mbili Marimba ensembles. After attending Dickinson State University and receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Choral Music Education, Speech, and Theatre Arts, her desire to learn and share her passion for music continued for 39 years, where she taught elementary school through university students.
Laurae was the recipient of multiple Dickinson Foundation grants to create music opportunities to involve students who would not typically take choir or band. The grant monies established the World Music Drumming Curriculum and Marimba programs and training opportunities in the Dickinson Middle School which supported the school mission statement of Growing minds, building community. Laurae has been a World Music Drumming presenter at the North Dakota American Choral Directors Association conference and recently has been a World Music Drumming clinician for the Williston Public School district music teachers. She was a guest conductor for Surround the State in Song and was the Dickinson site manager for the NDACDA for Surround the State in Song for 12 years. Laurae continues to be a Choral music adjudicator at North Dakota Class A and B music festivals both Regional and State and has been a North Dakota All-State Audition adjudicator. Laurae has shared her passion for music at all educational levels. She believes that guiding students to find their interest, talents and skill levels in music leads to adults that support and appreciate music and the arts in the community. She is retired and lives with her husband Les in Dickinson, ND and has 3 grown children and two grandchildren. |