The Detroit Orff Schulwerk Association is a professional organization for music educators that promotes the teachings of Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman. DOSA is a local chapter of the American Orff Schulwerk Association that was founded in 1969. In our 50 years of service, Detroit Orff has provided a professional learning community for music educators to collaborate, network, sing, dance, and play. DOSA offers five workshops every school year, bringing in some of the best clinicians in the country.
Upcoming Workshops:

March 15, 2025: Matthew Stensrud
Effortless Play: Using the Schulwerk to Enhance CreativityThere’s always a place for creation – a folk dance with a twist, a chance to explore the xylophone, or an opportunity to see what your body can do with one word – but pulling these ideas from our students can be challenging. Let’s go back to the Schulwerk roots of playfulness, discovery, and wonder as we explore these ideas and more through student-led choices, improvisation, risk-taking, and more. We’ll unearth the unexpected, so join us on the journey!
Effortless Play: Using the Schulwerk to Enhance CreativityThere’s always a place for creation – a folk dance with a twist, a chance to explore the xylophone, or an opportunity to see what your body can do with one word – but pulling these ideas from our students can be challenging. Let’s go back to the Schulwerk roots of playfulness, discovery, and wonder as we explore these ideas and more through student-led choices, improvisation, risk-taking, and more. We’ll unearth the unexpected, so join us on the journey!
Our Most Recent Workshops:
![]() September 21, 2024: Scott Roether
Sifting Through the Schulwerk This workshop will explore the various primary resources within Orff Schulwerk. Though seemingly unapproachable to some at first glance, there is an incredible wealth of opportunity contained in these resources. Through a series of process-based activities, participants will further discover the potential contained in using Orff and Keetman's primary resources. The workshop will explore applications for pre-primary through middle school classrooms, with a special focus on finding opportunities for the inclusion of each activity in your grade level curricula. |
![]() August 17, 2024: Paul Cribari
Knowing When to Blend in and Stand Out Come make music with us as we explore ways to develop the balance between Individual and collective identities in a classroom community. Come prepared to sing, play, move, and laugh as we use the Orff Schulwerk media as a vehicle for not just musical understanding, but interpersonal connections as well! |