Montessori Orff
Music
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ABOUT
Montessori Orff Music is designed specifically for Montessori-trained teachers and their assistants, offering an accessible and joyful approach to music-making rooted in the elemental practice of Orff-Schulwerk.
Elemental music emerges from what is already innate to the child: the rhythm of the heartbeat and spoken language patterns, the simple two-tone children’s call, and movement through clapping, walking, dancing, and playing.
Integrated naturally into daily Montessori classroom life, guided by a 120-page lesson manual, Montessori-Orff Music offers multisensory pathways for learning and expression. Its flexible approach supports differentiated learning, welcomes children with a range of abilities, and encourages both individual development and social-emotional connection.
COURSES
Courses are active and participatory, in the way adults engage with children in the Montessori environment. Participants practice musical skills at their own level of confidence, collaborate in groups or breakout rooms, and explore human development through multiple modalities that connect Montessori and Orff Schulwerk.
Training adapts to the Montessori levels represented in each course, 0–3, 3–6, and 6–12, and progresses from simplicity to complexity. To maintain an open learning environment, sessions are not recorded. Free coaching continues after the course is completed.
Training workshops are offered in two formats:
• Whole School In-Service – on-site professional development for Montessori staff. Please complete the contact form below or click here.
• Open Online Enrollment – virtual workshops open to all educators. Please click the View Courses button to explore and register for upcoming sessions.
Inga Sieminski
Inga has spent more than 40 years working alongside children and educators in Montessori Primary (ages 3–6) and Elementary (ages 6–12) classrooms, farm-based programs, and leadership roles throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area. She holds two Montessori diplomas, an M.Ed. from Loyola University Maryland, a Master’s degree in Arts Administration from American University, and a post-master’s certificate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Maryland. She was also a member of the first U.S. cohort to graduate from MPPI’s Montessori Inclusion (3–6) program. As Arts Integration Coordinator for DC Public Schools, she developed and implemented an innovative arts program serving underserved communities, with a strong emphasis on multicultural learning.
Her commitment to child-centered, inclusive elemental music education is grounded in the belief that embodied experiences in music and movement support differentiated learning for all children. Her professional preparation includes three levels of Orff-Schulwerk certification through George Mason University, research in Orff Music Therapy, and observational studies at the Montessori-Orff integrated Social Paediatrics Centre in Germany.
Inga is the author of a 150-page Montessori-Orff lesson manual used in her professional development workshops. She continues to share this holistic approach through presentations and training at national and international conferences across Asia, Africa, and Europe.
A graduate of Washington Montessori Institute (WMI), she currently serves on its Executive Board.
CONTACT
To schedule Whole School professional development kindly review the calendar for my availability and suggest a few dates of your own. Also include your proposed location for the training. I look forward to receiving your message!
You may also email Inga at montessoriorffmusic@gmail.com.
