Come and Try Kodály - Professional Development workshop

Please join the Kodály Society of BC for a wonderful workshop of singing games on your professional development day - Friday, February 13th. The event will be in person ONLY at Quadra Elementary.

Have you ever wondered what the Kodàly-inspired methodology really is? Want to see Kodaly-inspired teaching in action? Join us from 11:00 to 15:00 on Fri. Feb. 13, 2026 for a workshop. LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED.

OUR CLINICIAN - Helen Van Spronsen

Growing up in Canada and New Zealand, Helen Van Spronsen has played and sung in chamber ensembles, choirs, concert bands, orchestras, brass bands, led the New Zealand Youth Concert Band and toured internationally with the New Zealand National Youth Choir.

Her search for 'a better way' of music education led her through a Degree in Music, (Clarinet Performance, Ethnomusicology and Conducting) at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, a Diploma in Teaching (Secondary Music) at the Auckland College of Education, studies with the British Kodály Academy, Kodály Centre of London, and a Diploma in Kodály Music Education from the Kodály Institute in Kecskemét, Hungary.

Helen has taught woodwind instruments; community, high school, elementary and pre-school music; sung in and directed choirs and led workshops in New Zealand, the UK, Canada and the USA. She taught music in Pemberton for 13 years and Campbell River for 6, directed the Whistler Singers and sang with local chamber choir ‘Island Voices’.

A teacher of Kodály Level 1 Pedagogy and Music Literature, Helen was on the Board of the Kodály Society of Canada from 2017 – 2023 and was also the Vice President of the Kodály Society of B.C.

Helen is the author of ‘Listen…Think…Write! A dry erase workbook for young musicians’, a resource developed to encourage and structure the exploration of music writing in the music classroom.

ABOUT HELEN VAN SPRONSEN

With more than 33 years of professional experience, she has taught music at all levels—from early years to elementary and secondary schools—directing choirs, delivering comprehensive musicianship classes, and coordinating instrument programs.

Helen holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Auckland, a Diploma in Teaching from Auckland College of Education, and advanced Kodály certifications—including a Diploma from the Zoltán Kodály Institute in Hungary and a Certificate from the Kodály Centre of London/Trinity College of Music.

She has served as Vice-President of the Kodály Society of British Columbia and Secretary of the Kodály Society of Canada, delivering workshops nationally and internationally to further music teacher development.

Based in Campbell River, BC, Helen combines strategic planning, curriculum design and a lifelong passion for music to nurture vibrant and inclusive musical communities.