MNOrff Board 2025-2026

President

Paul Weller

Paul Weller has been teaching elemental movement and music for more than 20 years to grades K-5 at a public school in Minnesota. He earned a B.A. from St. Olaf College, M.A. in Education from Saint Mary’s University and Orff Schulwerk Levels training at University of St. Thomas. He has taught workshops locally, nationally, has presented numerous times at the AOSA national conference, and is an Orff Level I and II teacher trainer. Paul has a unique teaching style that blends the best of the Orff Schulwerk process and Kodaly sequential literacy training and believes movement and singing are the basis for all music making. In his free time, Paul enjoys reading, biking, drinking tea and is an avid board game fanatic.

President Elect

Karah Dadez

Karah Dadez teaches K-4 general music at St Croix Central Elementary School in Roberts, Wisconsin. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin - River Falls, where she received a bachelor's degree in K-12 Music Education. Karah completed her Orff Schulwerk Certification at Anderson University in Indiana, where she is also currently working towards her Master of Music Education degree. Karah also enjoys going for hikes, playing piano, cooking, reading, and hyper fixating on a variety of different crafts.

Program Chair

Liz Trites

mnorffprogramchair@gmail.com

Liz Trites (she/her) teaches K-5 music at Crestview Elementary in Cottage Grove. Having earned certification in both Orff Schulwerk and Kodaly through the UST levels courses, she is currently completing her Master of Music Education at the University of St. Thomas. Liz enjoys spending her spare time with her friends, nieces, books, and baked goods.