Prairie Winds Orff Board Members 2018-2019
President - Jennifer Russell
Jennifer has taught general music to grades kindergarten through sixth grade, beginning band to fifth and sixth grade, and is currently teaching kindergarten through fifth grade general music at Liberty Elementary in Bismarck, ND. She holds a Bachelor of Science in K-12 Music Education from Minot State University. She has taken courses in World Music Drumming curriculum and has recently completed her level two training in Orff-Schulwerk this past summer at the University of Mary. Next summer, it is her goal to finish her final level three Orff-Schulwerk training. Jennifer also performs with a variety of community choruses throughout the year.
Vice President - Gwen Hall
Past President - Christine Ballenger
Christine Ballenger teaches general music (K-5) at Solheim Elementary in Bismarck, ND. She holds degrees in music education from the University of New Mexico and the University of Puget Sound, and received her Orff Schulwerk certification from George Mason University. Christine is on the AOSA list of approved instructors for movement (level I) and recorder (levels I & II) and recently joined the editorial board of the Orff Echo. Additionally, she teaches courses in music for elementary education majors at Bismarck State College and Dickinson State University. Christine has also taken courses in Kodaly and World Music Drumming and performs regularly with the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony on alto saxophone, clarinet, and bass clarinet.
Secretary - Krista Jacobson
Treasurer - Renae Mosbrucker
Renae currently teaches Kindergarten through Fifth Grade music at Lewis & Clark Elementary in Mandan. She received her Bachelor of Science in elementary music and elementary education from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. Renae also attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota to take masters level classes in music and music education. Renae completed all three levels of Orff Schulwerk training through the University of St. Thomas. She also plays clarinet in community bands and she and her husband, Derrick, are very busy with their one year old son, Leif.
Program Chair - Caitlin Nicks
Caitlin has experience in teaching K-5 music, sixth grade beginning band, and middle school choir. She is currently teaching Kindergarten through fifth grade music at Rita Murphy Elementary in Bismarck. Caitlin received her Bachelor of Science Degree in K-12 Music Education from the University of Mary. She is very excited to dive into level one training in the summer of 2018 and continue her Orff Schulwerk education.
Assistant Program Chair - Jesslyn Hall
Prairie Winds Orff Governing Documents
| duties_of_officers_sept_2017.docx |
