MusicPlay
About the Curriculum
MusicPlay activities and materials are based on the research of Edwin E. Gordon, internationally renowned music psychologist-and former UB music education professor. In his book, A Music Learning Theory for Newborn and Young Children, Dr. Gordon looks at the critical importance of preschool music education in a scholarly way and describes how to guide young children in music learning. His work has been portrayed on the NBC Today Show, in the New York Times, in USA Today, and in a variety of European and Asian publications.
The MusicPlay name is used by permission of G.I.A. Publications, Inc.
About the Teachers
Maria Runfola is an Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Education at UB. She received her education at Nazareth College of Rochester, Eastman School of Music, and the State University of New York at Buffalo, where she completed doctoral studies with Edwin E. Gordon in 1976. She has authored numerous teaching materials and articles and has served as consultant in the design of school music curricula throughout the country. In addition, she has served as a consultant for the music toys designed by the Fisher Price Toy Company, and is on the Executive Board of the Gordon Institute for Music Learning.
Kristen Bugos is a doctoral student in the Department of Learning and Instruction at UB. Kristen earned her Bachelor of Music in Education degree with an emphasis in piano from Houghton College and a Master of Education degree with an emphasis in curriculum and educational technology from Indiana Wesleyan University. She has also studied with Edwin Gordon and holds certifications in Early Childhood Music and Elementary General Music from the Gordon Institute for Music Learning. Kristen co-teaches an Arts in Early Childhood graduate course at UB and has six years of experience teaching public school general, vocal, and instrumental music to students in Kindergarten through 5th grade, as well as two years of experience teaching MusicPlay classes for 2-5 year-olds in the Early Childhood Research Center at UB.
Karen D'Angelo earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts at SUNY Fredonia in Vocal Performance and minored in Theatre Arts. Recently Karen earned a Masters degree from SUNY Buffalo in Music Education. At UB Karen studied with Dr. Edwin E. Gordon, researcher and developer of Music Learning Theory and obtained her Level I certification in both Early Childhood and Elementary Music. Karen has performed in several local theatres including Sheas and Artpark. In 2002 she was chosen by Marvin Hamlisch as runner up in a Star Search Contest and performed at Buffalo's Kleinhans. Currently Karen sings in Buffalo's Vocalis, a 16 member chamber choir and is in her thirteenth year teaching private voice and piano lessons. She also served as the youth choir director at 1st Presbyterian Church for 6 years. Karen had the privilege to train with Helen Kemp, a world- renowned children's choir director, and Michael Burkhardt of Carthage college in Wisconsin. Burkhardt directed the Summer Worship and Music Camp (SWAM) in 2006, a camp Ms. D'Angelo coordinated. Most recently Karen and two colleagues opened The Children's Music Academy of Western New York in Lockport NY. The Children's Music Academy is designed to acculturate infants and toddlers to the world of music.
Professor Runfola, Kristen, and Karen will be assisted in class by graduate and undergraduate students.
