“Real art is one of the most powerful forces in the rise of mankind, and he who renders it accessible to as many people as possible is a benefactor of humanity.”
If you would like to finance one of the initiatives listed below or make a gift of over $500, please email us at info@kodalyfoundation.org or send a check to the address below (indicating which initiative you are interested in). Kodály Foundation for Music Education
Post Office Box 318052
San Francisco, California 94131
Thanks to donors, KFME provided five scholarships to students attending the 2025 Kodály Summer Certificate program at University of Redlands in San Anselmo. Help us build enrollment in the program by contributing to this fund. Information for creating named current use or endowed scholarships is available here.
Being in choir was truly a growing experience. It was so artful the way Nike was able to teach us such beautiful music and instill a sense of artistry in each note and phrase of the pieces we learned. Each day I grew from her genius. I also took the musicianship class and though it was a challenge but could understand more of how music is created and could be taught. Not only were the classes top notch; the campus and surroundings are gorgeous.
-Rebecca Rogot (2025)
I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for KFME’s generous support for my Kodaly level III training this past summer. Thanks to your generosity, I was able to earn Kodaly Certification at the beautiful University of Redland’s campus. Your support has made a significant difference in my music teaching, and inspires me to work even harder and to give back to my students and others in the future. I am truly honored to be a recipient of this scholarship.
I’d also like to express my appreciation for three excellent teacher mentors in the Kodaly program, Kathy, Nike, and Gemma. Beyond their musical expertise, they celebrated our successes, guided us through our struggles, and always encouraged us to express ourselves through music. Their commitment to nurturing the Kodaly way of teaching is truly extraordinary. The Redland University’s Kodaly educator’s influence will resonate with me for years to come, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to learn in this program.
-Melanie Kang (2025)
I am deeply grateful to KFME for supporting my participation in the Kodály Summer Institute. The experience was truly transformative - exactly what I needed at this moment in my musical and teaching journey. I came in hoping to be musically challenged and to reconnect with the joy that drew me to music in the first place, and this course delivered on every level. It reawakened my passion for choral singing and reminded me of the power and beauty of music-making in community. I also left with renewed inspiration, practical tools, and a deeper understanding of Kodály pedagogy that I’m excited to bring to my students.
Thank you for making this experience possible—it was both personally and professionally meaningful, and I know it will have a lasting impact.
-Lucia De La Torre (2025)
Funding Initiatives
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Scholarships for the Kodály Summer Certificate Program at University of Redlands
Generous donations have allowed the Foundation to help students pursue their Kodály Summer Certificate program by offsetting tuition costs up to $5,000 per student.
Goal: $30,000 annually
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Funding for an endowed chair for the Kodály Center
An endowed chair is critical to the continued success of the Kodály Center and will set the foundation for our goal of ensuring the next 50 years of educating exceptional music teachers, based on Kodály's vision of universal music literacy.
Three endowed chairs are critical for this initiative: administration, musicianship, and pedagogy. Each chair has a $3 Million goal to fund the position.
Goal: $9,000,000
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American Folk Song Collection Website
This fund supports ongoing maintenance and development of the Kodály Center American Folk Song website. Help us in sustaining this critical resource for teachers, parents and students while keeping it free for all.
Goal: $5,000 annually
The KFME board, all of whom are also volunteers, would like to recognize those who have donated their own time and talents:
Tamás and Judit Jackovics who offered their home for our foundation event
Tom and Michele Winter for providing storage for the Kodály Center’s Music Resource Library
Robert Lee for supporting KFME with media and design
Gemma Arguelles for documenting KFME events with photography and recordings
Minami Cohen for her invaluable assistance with Foundation events
Jeanette Tietze for her piano performance in the Fall Soundscapes event
Elizabeth Wagman Emigh for bringing her choir to perform in the Fall Soundscapes event
Harry Howe for his support of Foundation events at the Piedmont Center for the Arts
Sherry Jacobs for her assistance with receptions at Piedmont Center for the Arts
Dr. Katherine Hickey & Dr. Joseph Modica for shepherding the Kodály program from Holy Names to University of Redlands
Cheryl Keller for her past service as a KFME board member
Alexis Vincent for her advice and guidance with the establishment of the Foundation
Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choirs for their performances at KFME events
THANK YOU!
Our gratitude also to these organizations who have donated to KFME:
Hungaria Nostra Foundation for their contribution to the first KFME publication - Bright Morning Stars Are Rising: 50th Anniversary Anthology of the Kodály Center at Holy Names University
J. C. Kellogg Foundation for their annual major gifts in support of the Kodály Center for over 20 years
Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources for funding the latest research grant for the American Folk Song Collection