Kodály Society of Ontario Bestows Carolyn Neumann VanderBurgh With Honourary Life Membership

Dec. 8, 2022

The Kodály Society of Ontario (KSO) bestowed an honourary life membership upon Laurier instructor Carolyn Neumann VanderBurgh at their recent Annual General Meeting (AGM), in recognition of her leadership in, and dedication to, music education in Ontario and beyond.

Carolyn has been a cornerstone of the Kodály Society of Ontario since joining the KSO board in 1996. She was a long serving President of KSO (2002 - 2011), Secretary of the national organization, the Kodály Society of Canada (KSC) and KSC President from 2010 – 2016. In addition to her executive work, Carolyn has skillfully organized countless local, provincial, and national workshops and conferences. Carolyn continues to be an active workshop and conference presenter, addressing a wide array of topics, including Kodály-inspired pedagogy, singing games, choral conducting, choral repertoire, and approaches to the singing voice. She has presented locally, provincially, nationally, and internationally.

Carolyn is an elementary teacher with the Waterloo Region District School Board and an instructor in the Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University where she teaches courses in elementary music education and choral conducting techniques. As a choral conductor, Carolyn conducts the Inter-Mennonite Children’s Choir, and the Wilfrid Laurier University Concert Choir.

KSO is delighted to honour Carolyn with this well-deserved recognition. She joins Jeanette Panagapka and Heather Morris as the only other recipients of this designation.