OAKE Eastern Division
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About the Presenter:
Ms. Jodie Adessa is an enthusiastic performer and educator who began her career as a musician working in opera and musical theatre. After graduating from The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice and Music Education, she performed in regional theater, light opera, Of -Broadway shows, and film. Ms. Adessa earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the College of New Jersey, her Kodaly Certification from Westminster Choir College of Rider University, and has been teaching music for thirteen years. In addition to teaching in the Academy for the Performing Arts, Mrs. Adessa is an accomplished choral director, a successfully private instructor of vocal and piano, and performs as a soloist and with her band, The Two Ukes. Ms. Adesssa is an active member of the National Association for Music Education, the New Jersey School Music Association, and the American Choral Directors Association.
About the Presenters:
Amy Carter holds an MME with Kodály Emphasis from Capital University (including study at the Kodály Institute in Kecskemét, Hungary in 2003) and a BM in Music Education from Westminster Choir College, where she also completed her Kodály certification. She currently teaches in the Kodály levels course at West Chester University and previously taught in the Westminster Choir College levels course, where she also served as Program Director. A frequent presenter of Kodály inspired workshops at local and national levels, Amy has twice served on the OAKE National Board and is Past President of both the Eastern Division and KNJ. She received the OAKE Outstanding Contributions Award in 2003.
Having previously taught in the Pennsbury School District in PA, Amy currently teaches elementary general music and choir in the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District in NJ, where she was recognized as the 2014 Governor’s Teacher of the Year. Passionate about teacher training, in addition to co-authoring curricula during her time in education, Amy has served as a new teacher mentor, a co-op for student teachers and practicum groups, and a building grade-level leader. She and her husband Ken direct the children’s choirs at Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church and are the proud parents of three boys.
Jennifer Kimock has taught K-5 vocal music for 28 years, all of which in the Pennsbury School District in Yardley, Pa. She also directs Poco Voce, a primary grade choir at Westrick Music Academy in Princeton, NJ. Previously, she has also served as children’s choir director at the Church of St. Andrew in Newtown, PA. In her spare time she maintains a small, private piano studio.
Jennifer holds a Level III Kodály Certificate through Westminster Choir College. She will be teaching in the Kodály levels course at West Chester University this summer and previously taught in the levels course at Westminster Choir College. She has been a workshop presenter to music education students there as well as at OAKE Eastern Division and National Conferences. Jennifer earned a BM in Music Education with a piano concentration from Westminster Choir College and an MA in Education from Gratz College. At school she has also served as a cooperating teacher for student teachers and practicum groups as well as a mentor for new teachers in the district. Jennifer resides in Yardley, Pa with her husband David Kimock, whom she met at Westminster, and their two grown children who have also found their passion within the performing arts.