Welcome and Keynote Address

Lori holds a Dalcroze Professional Certificate from the Dalcroze School of the Rockies.  She currently teaches after-school Dalcroze classes at Dalcroze Musical Arts. Lori has been a music teacher in both public and private schools and has also taught Dalcroze Eurhythmics at Interlochen Summer Arts Camp, Suzuki workshops, Suzuki summer institutes, public school workshops, local MTA workshops, and musicianship skills to dancers. 

In addition to teaching, Lori is also involved with the non-profit organization Dalcroze Society of America as a former Trustee and Board Chair and is currently an officer of the Rocky Mountain chapter of the DSA.  In her spare time Lori enjoys many activities like skiing, camping, and photography.

Alex Marthaler is the executive director of the Dalcroze Society of America, where he oversees operations, conferences, publications, fundraising, and strategic initiatives supporting the Dalcroze community nationwide. A pianist, composer, and educator based in Pittsburgh, PA, he serves on the faculty of Carnegie Mellon University, teaching orchestration, counterpoint, and contemporary composition techniques. Alex is an experienced collaborative pianist specializing in improvisation, dance accompaniment, and ensemble performance, with ongoing work for ballet, theater, and choral organizations. His compositions have been performed by contemporary music and dance ensembles throughout the region. His work centers on creativity, collaboration, embodied musicianship, and providing meaningful musical experiences for learners of all ages.

Lauren Hodgson is a Cleveland-based pianist, educator, and PhD student at Case Western Reserve University. Specializing in Dalcroze eurhythmics, she is passionate about creating joyful, movement-based music experiences for students of all ages. Lauren’s teaching experience spans from early childhood programs at The Music Settlement to collegiate instruction at Baldwin Wallace University, Case Western Reserve, and Oberlin College. She also serves on the faculty of the Dalcroze School of Music and Movement. An active researcher and presenter, Lauren regularly presents sessions at state and national conferences and is the current president of the Ohio Chapter of the Dalcroze Society of America.

Mary Dobrea-Grindahl, diplôme supérieur, is professor emerita at Baldwin Wallace university, where she enjoyed a multifaceted teaching and performing career for over thirty years. As a clinician, her workshops focus on applications of the method to the private studio and using eurhythmics to develop artistry; she also enjoys opportunities to introduce newcomers to the Dalcroze practice. Mary is the coauthor of Developing Musicianship through Aural Skills: A Holistic Approach to Sight Singing and Ear Training (Routledge), which pioneers a unique pedagogical method of teaching ear training and musicianship. Mary is passionate about bringing experiences in the arts to untapped communities and is exploring ways to use eurhythmics to develop reading literacy in children. She is a recipient of the prestigious Strosacker Prize for Excellence in Teaching and the Distinguished Faculty Leadership Award at Baldwin Wallace University.