First Steps in Music
4-Day Certification Track
When: July 8 – 11, 2025
Where: Naperville, Illinois
Emily Woock
Emily Woock is a daughter of two music educators so has never known life without music. She was first introduced to Dr. Feierabend’s work when she attended a conference as an undergraduate, and hearing about the “30-year-plan” forever changed how she approaches music education. Emily has spent her career teaching music to children of all ages from infants to high school, and is passionate about introducing other teachers to Dr. Feierabend’s philosophy and curriculum.
She currently serves at Concordia University Chicago, where she teaches courses in both music education and church music. She also serves as chapel organist and teaches applied organ. In addition to her work at the university, she works part-time as music director and organist at her church in Elmhurst, Illinois. She currently serves on the FAME board as treasurer.
Emily frequently serves as a presenter, facilitator, consultant, and mentor for music educators. She holds a BA from Concordia University Chicago, a Master of Sacred Music from the University of Notre Dame, and a Master of Music Education from Anderson University. She completed her Kodály certification at the Hartt School of Music, where she studied with John Feierabend. She is currently pursuing her PhD in music education from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN.
First Steps in Music for Preschool and Beyond provides activities for children as young as three but appropriate for any aged child that needs to further develop their tuneful, beatful, and artful abilities. Folk songs and rhymes as well as classical music are the primary source materials that are used to develop their musical minds and abilities.
Course Objectives:
- To introduce effective principles, techniques, and materials which will aid in the discovery and maximization of the innate potential of children in preschool and the early elementary grades (early childhood)
- To develop teaching skills appropriate to the developmental abilities of children age newborn to grade 2 and beyond
- To develop the ability to design curriculum and lesson plans appropriate for children age newborn to grade 2 and beyond
Enrollment in this certification track includes:
- 4-day training with FAME endorsed teacher trainers
- Tickets to Summer Institute Concert:
Mark Miller and Friends - Tickets to Summer Institute Concert:
Jason Max Ferdinand Singers - Entrance to “Beer and Hymns” with Tony Alonso
Cost: $500
Required Text
It is recommended that you purchase the required text prior to the certification classes. If that is not possible, the required text, along with other books in the series will be available for purchase in the Institute bookstore.
Conference Add-Ons
This certification course is a part of the Summer Music Institute and will be held on the campus of North Central College in Naperville, Illinois.
Additional options for campus accommodations and dining will be available when registering.
Detailed information and instructions are listed below for each option. Add them to your order when checking out to include them in your registration.
Dorm Room Occupancy
$50 per night (Double opccupancy)
$100 per night (single stay)
To order a double occupancy room, you must have a roommate. If you do not have a roommate, you must select single occupancy and pay the full fee. Dorm room accommodations require you to bring your own bedding. Bathrooms are shared on each floor. Dorm is air-conditioned and an elevator is available.
You will receive an additional email from the Summer Music Institute with more information regarding your dorm room and you will be required to indicate who your roommate is at that time. Dorm rooms must be ordered by May 31, 2025.
Campus Dining Service
$105 ($35 per day)
Campus dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Numerous food options are available through the North Central College cafeteria.
This additional meal plan will cover your meals throughout all 3 days of the Summer Music Institute and will be within walking distance of all workshops and events.