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Oso Musical is a loving music education community that provides children with special needs the chance to excel musically. We play musical games, sing songs, explore instruments as a group, and, of course, there is lots of dancing! Central to our classes is the Orff-Schulwerk teaching methodology, a way to teach and learn music. It is based on things children like to do: sing, chant rhymes, clap, dance, and keep a beat on anything near at hand. There is a place for every child, and each child contributes according to their ability and talents. Every child is successful and feels safe to explore their innate musical ability. Traditional or original poems, rhymes, games, songs, and dances are the basic musical building blocks. Spoken or sung, these activities are then accompanied by clapping, patting, and stamping or instruments such as drums, sticks, and bells. We believe that utilizing this highly effective methodology allows for music classes filled with variety, inclusiveness, and success; every child can participate at their own ability level and pace.
Our classes also provide Music Majors with invaluable experience in the teaching field, under the mentorhip and encouragement of a trained, certified, veteran music teacher. We believe this real experience is an exceptionally valuable learning tool.
Finally, we use our experiences and observations together in class to inform scholarly research. Our co-founders conduct research, compile data, and present findings in professional music research journals and at music education conventions to help provide information and resources to others in our profession, teaching about trends and practices that help special learners flourish in music classrooms.
We are a devoted group of volunteers who are excited to teach and learn; we are passionately committed to providing high quality experiences to all of our participants, and are also eager to grow as educators.
And to top it all off: Oso Musical is completely free. We serve your students at no cost because we are called to serve.
CHELSEA MIDDLETON
Co-Founder, Co-Executive Director
is a two-time graduate of Baylor University. She received a Master of Music Education in 2013 (during which time she co-founded Oso Musical), and a Bachelor of Music Education in 2006. Chelsea has since taught elementary music in the Waco and Dallas areas, and is now serving with Music Together (Geneva). She currently resides in Switzerland with her family.
DR. RUSSELL GAVIN
Co-Founder, Secretary
is the Dr. Arthur P. Barnes Director of Bands at Stanford University. He co-founded, and served as faculty advisor to, Oso Musical while an Assistant Professor of Music Education in Instrumental Studies at Baylor University. Dr. Gavin holds a Ph.D. in Music Education from Florida State University, a Master of Music in Euphonium Performance from the University of Notre Dame, and a Bachelor of Music Education from Auburn University.
ELISA CROWDER
Master Teacher
is a retired elementary music educator with over 30 years of experience. She has developed and taught curriculum for children with special needs, and has served in children’s music programs in area churches for over 10 years. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education from Baylor University and received her Orff Schulwerk Levels I and II at SMU.
Dr. KELLY JO HOLLINGSWORTH
Faculty Advisor
is Assistant Professor of Elementary Music Education at Baylor. She holds degrees from the University of Mobile (BS) and Auburn University (MEd and PhD). Dr. Hollingsworth has 17 years of early childhood and elementary classroom experience and was chosen as Teacher of the Year at three different schools. Dr. Hollingsworth completed Kodály Level I and Orff-Schulwerk Levels I, II, III, and Master Class certifications.
JILLIAN GUSUKUMA
Program Director
earned her Master’s and Bachelor’s degree of Music Education from Baylor University. She has taught choir and music in Texas and Michigan, working especially with students with special needs. She currently serves as an Administrative Associate in the Baylor School of Music