Now's the Time: Jazz for all Ages

Join internationally renowned Orff Schulwerk educator Doug Goodkin for a practical and inspiring day exploring the unique partnership between Jazz and the Orff approach.

Drawing on over 40 years of experience, Doug demonstrates how the richness and complexity of jazz can be made accessible through movement, singing, improvisation and ensemble playing. Participants will discover practical strategies for adapting jazz repertoire to Orff instruments, develop confidence in teaching jazz to children and experience the joy of creating music together.

Suitable for educators working with primary and secondary-aged learners, this hands-on workshop welcomes both experienced Orff practitioners and those new to jazz. Participants who play a band instrument are encouraged to bring it along and join the ensemble.

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Doug Goodkin is a renowned Orff Schulwerk educator, author, and musician with over four decades of experience in music education. He is particularly known for his innovative application of Orff Schulwerk to the teaching of jazz and multi-cultural music and his ideas connecting Orff Schulwerk to the greater world of education, culture and human potential.

A passionate advocate for child-centered, playful, and multicultural music learning, he has traveled worldwide, training teachers in the Orff approach. His work blends music, movement, and storytelling to create dynamic, engaging learning experiences for all ages. Doug has authored several influential books on music education and is known for his ability to connect deep musical understanding with joyful, hands-on learning. His teachings emphasise inclusivity, creativity, and the power of music to build community.

Doug Goodkin has authored several influential books on Orff Schulwerk and music education, including Play, Sing, & Dance: An Introduction to Orff Schulwerk, A Rhyme in Time: Rhythm, Speech Activities, and Improvisation for the Classroom, Now’s the Time: Teaching Jazz to All Ages, Intery Mintery: Nursery Rhymes for Body, Voice, and Orff Ensemble, Teach Like It’s Music: An Artful Approach to Education, and We’ll Be in Your Mountains, We’ll Be in Your Songs: A Guide for Orff Teachers and Music Educators. His books offer practical, engaging activities that integrate movement, rhythm, improvisation, and cultural traditions, making them essential resources for music educators worldwide.