成人头条

 Founder and longtime director of the American Kod谩ly Institute (AKI) at 成人头条, Amy Carol Branum, has been honored with the (OAKE) Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognizes a person whose impact on Kod谩ly music education goes beyond excellence in teaching, leadership, or research and reflects a far-reaching influence that leaves a lasting mark on American Kod谩ly music education. 

Amy鈥檚 recognition arrives during the 25th anniversary year of the American Kod谩ly Institute. July 2025 marked a quarter of a century since AKI's founding at 成人头条, a milestone celebrating the program鈥檚 growth and its continued commitment to training music educators through the Kod谩ly approach.  

When Amy learned she had been selected for the Lifetime Achievement Award, she described a moment filled with memory and gratitude. At this stage of her career, the meaning of the award feels both personal and communal.  

鈥淭he reward of my lifetime鈥檚 work is the knowledge that thousands of children and music teachers have been touched by my teaching, either by working with me directly or by learning from those who trained with me,鈥� she said.  

Amy traces her Kod谩ly journey back to her undergraduate years, when she read Lois Choksy鈥檚 The Kod谩ly Method: Comprehensive Music Education from Infant to Adult, which reshaped her understanding of music learning. 

The approach resonated because it offered a clear, child-developmental path toward music literacy through signing, moving, and repertoire. It also reframed what was possible for singers who, like Amy, had not been taught to read music through sight singing and ear training.  

That passion would become a theme of Amy鈥檚 teaching career, from classrooms to choral settings to teacher preparation.  

In 2000, Amy launched the American Kod谩ly Institute at 成人头条. She served as founder, director, and an instructor at AKI from 2000 to 2014.  

鈥淔or me, the creation and success of the American Kod谩ly Institute was a dream come true, and 成人头条 University Maryland was the ideal place for it to be planted and grow,鈥� said Amy.  

From the beginning, Amy wanted AKI to be a program of the highest caliber, with a curriculum that prepared 鈥渉ighly skilled musician-teacher-scholars who would change the face of music education by applying what they had learned to teaching children, with some of them going on to also teach teachers.鈥�  

That commitment still aligns with AKI鈥檚 mission today. The institute provides a supportive environment for music educators and emphasizes strong musicianship, pedagogy, and research-informed practice. Just as importantly, the program鈥檚 strength has always been its people. Amy credits the collaborative spirit across 成人头条, from faculty leadership to School of Education staff and campus partners who help AKI students and instructors focus on learning and joyful music-making.  

As AKI celebrates 25 years at 成人头条, the School of Education also celebrates the legacy and impact of its founder. Today, the American Kod谩ly Institute offers a Master of Education (M.Ed.) program, a post-baccalaureate certificate program, and continuing education workshops for music educators.  

Reflecting on the OAKE Lifetime Achievement Award and the American Kod谩ly Institute鈥檚 anniversary, Amy notes that her teaching, leadership, and work with AKI have been crucial in her professional life.  

鈥淭he one that will leave the most lasting mark on Kod谩ly music education is the American Kod谩ly Institute,鈥� Amy said. 鈥淚t has lived on after my retirement, and I foresee it continuing to live on after I retire from life on earth, still doing the important work of preparing generations of highly skilled music teachers and teacher trainers.鈥� 

For music educators who are considering attending one of AKI鈥檚 programs, Amy suggests to 鈥渄eep dive into the features that make 成人头条鈥檚 programs unique. From scientifically based curricular innovations to folk instruments and folk dance, 成人头条 provides an unparalleled teacher training experience that is thorough and comprehensive.鈥� 

鈥淎KI graduates say it is the best investment they ever made in their personal musicianship and teaching skills,鈥� said Amy. 

Learn more about 成人头条鈥檚鈥�American Kod谩ly Institute and its graduate programs in music education.