Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC
D.M.A in Piano Pedagogy
Chair: Dr. Ivo Kaltchev
Piano Professors: Marilyn Neeley and Thomas Mastroianni
Dissertation Title: Keyboard Harmony: A text to be used in the college classroom as well as the private piano sector.
The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC
M.M. in Piano Pedagogy
Chair: Marilyn Neeley
Piano Professor: Chiara Selby
Thesis Title: Teaching Music using the Theory of Multiple Intelligence’s.
Emphasis: Music Theory Pedagogy
Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA
B.M. in Piano Pedagogy, Emphasis in Music Theory
Minor: Jazz Piano
HONORS AND AWARDS
Graduate Student Award for Excellence in Teaching Music Theory
Who’s Who in Fine Arts Education - George Washington University
William Masselos Award, $4,000 - The Catholic University of America Music Department
Raissa Tselentis Endowed Award, $12,000 - The Catholic University of America Music Department
Music Teacher National’s Association Student Achievement Award - Solo Recital for Prince George County, MTNA
Eugene Evans Piano Award - Shenandoah University
Shenandoah Conservatory
Presidential Scholar - Shenandoah University
ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Present - Director of Music
Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy - Bryn Mawr, PA
Responsibilities: Building and implementing a successful music program for grades 6 - 12 including music classes and ensembles.
Present - Instructor
Settlement Music School – Camden, NJ and Germantown, PA
Department Head: Valerie Clayton and Patricia Manley
Responsibilities: Piano and Music Theory Instructor
Towson University – Towson, MD
Department Head: Don Watts
Responsibilities: Independent instructor for music theory courses, Musicianship I – III (aural skills/theory concepts)
Part-Time Professor
The College of Notre Dame - Towson, MD
Department Head: Nick Firmani
Responsibilities: Independent Instructor of Cohort Courses, including Women in Music, Fundamentals of Music, Music Appreciation. Invited to teach Theory/Aural Skills Spring semester.
Part-time Professor
Howard Community College - Columbia, MD
Department Head: Deborah Kent
Responsibilities: Instructor for majority of music courses, private piano instructor, coordinated all house managing details for the Monteabaro Recital Hall, director of student production hours required of all music majors, frequent solo and collaborative artist at a variety of events, helped lead frequent repertoire classes as well as prepare students for juries, recitals, and auditions.
Part-Time Professor
George Washington University - Washington, DC
Department Head: Douglas Boyce
Responsibilities: Instructor of Music Theory and Keyboard Labs including supplementing course meetings with online course materials and support. Faculty advisor for the Student Music Living Learning Community.
Graduate Instructor
Catholic University of America – Washington, DC
Department Head: Music Theory – Paul Taylor and Andrew Simpson
Piano – Chiara Selby, Marilyn Neeley, Ivo Kaltchev
Responsibilities: Independent instructor of music theory, aural skills, private piano and piano courses, progressing to head of class piano. Responsible for developing syllabus still in use today, directing other Graduate Teaching Assistants in Class Piano, choosing texts as well as developing materials to be used throughout the two semester sequence of class piano. Faculty advisor for the student music themed living dormitory. As well as in the college, I directed the children’s choir for three highly successful summer sessions.
PUBLICATIONS UNDER REVIEW
Orenstein, Karin. Keyboard Harmony: A text to be used in the college classroom as well as the private piano sector. Manuscript submitted for publication.
RESEARCH IN PROGRESS
Orenstein, Karin. The Importance of Implementing Music Theory in the Private Piano Studio.
DIRECTING/COACHING EXPERIENCE
Summer Camp Director: Piano Ensemble (2007) , Percussion Ensemble (2007)
Children’s Choir Director (2004 - 2006)
INVITED GUEST LECTURER
Historical Significance of Brahms
The Significance of Pedagogy in Music
The Well-Rounded Pianist
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Present: Music Teacher’s National Association Committee Member - NCTM
Present: Pennsylvania Music Educators Association
Present: Vocal Coach/ Accompanist
2008 - Website and Publicity Manager - The Music Institute at HCC
Representative to the Graduate Student Activities Counsel - The Catholic University of America
Resident Manager - Shenandoah University off campus housing
CERTIFICATION
2008 (Spring) - MTNA Certifcation – Piano
2007 (Fall) - Online Course Instructor and Developer Blackboard CE6