Kodály Certification

Kodály Certification, Levels I and II

Program dates: June 15-26, 2026

Application deadline: May 31, 2026

Description:

The Kodály approach is an educational philosophy developed by the Hungarian educator and composer Zoltán Kodály (1882–1967) that focuses on fostering a love of music through singing from an early age and developing fundamental musical skills, such as reading and writing music, in a structured, experience-based manner. The use of folk music is central. The Kodály philosophy advocates for high-quality music and well-trained teachers, with the goal of developing well-rounded musicians through sequential learning that covers a wide range of musical skills. The Kodály approach to music education is included in the Record of good safeguarding practices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) since 2016.

This certification will provide the music educator with the opportunity to expand their practical tools in the classroom (K-12) through the sequencing of musical skills appropriate to the ages of the students, the pedagogical analysis of folk repertoire, singing in a choir, and choral conducting.

The certification is organized into three (3) levels designed to be completed in three (3) summers. Each level is equivalent to six (6) graduate credits for a total of eighteen (18) credits upon completion of all levels.

This year the Conservatory will offer training at levels I and II only. Starting in the summer of 2026, all three levels of certification will be offered. All those who have successfully completed level I are invited to take advantage of the opportunity to enroll in level II.

The Kodály Certification is part of the offering of Conservatory's Continuing Education Program.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of all three levels of the Kodály Certification, teachers will be qualified to:

1. 1. Explain Zoltán Kodály's philosophy, values, and pedagogical principles regarding music education.
  2. Perform musical skills including sight-reading with movable Do, sight-reading with Curwen hand signs, singing a cappella For vocals, use a tuning fork to find reference notes and improvise.
  3. Analyze the possible pedagogical uses of children's and folk songs.
  4. Compile a personal collection of folk and children's musical literature that includes different languages, eras, styles, and countries.
  5. Select repertoire that affirms the child's culture and is appropriate to their learning and developmental needs.
  6. Planning music lessons from the Kodály approach.
  7. Develop a sequenced music curriculum.
  8. Integrate concepts from the Kodály approach into the direction and study of choral and instrumental pieces.
  9. Demonstrate essential skills for singing in a choir.
  10. To promote the importance of preserving and disseminating the musical heritage of Puerto Rico and the peoples of the Caribbean and Latin America.

Curriculum

Kodály Certification
(18 credits)

Level I
Code	Course	Credits
KODLENG1	Musical Language 1	1
KODLITE1	Musical Literature 1	1
KODPEDA1	Pedagogy and practice 1	2
KODCORO1	Chorus 1	1
KODADIR1	Choral Conducting 1	1

Level II
Code	Course	Credits
KODLENG2	Musical Language 2	1
KODLITE2	Musical Literature 2	1
KODPEDA2	Pedagogy and practice 2	2
KODCORO2	Chorus 2	1
KODADIR2	Choral Conducting 2	1

Level III
Code	Course	Credits
KODLENG3	Musical Language 3	1
KODLITE3	Musical Literature 3	1
KODPEDA3	Pedagogy and practice 3	2
KODCORO3	Chorus 3	1
KODADIR3	Choral Direction 3	1

Evaluation methods

The evaluation methods include the submission of written work, as well as demonstrations and active participation, in addition to performing as a singer in the choir during their end-of-course presentation.

As proof of completion, participants will receive a certificate indicating the number of contact hours completed. For your convenience, you can also request an electronic transcript of credits through our Registrar's Office (incurs a cost of $7.90).

Admission requirements

Anyone interested in applying for admission to the Kodály Certification must meet the following requirements:

1. 1. Have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in music education from an accredited institution; or for international students, an equivalent degree in music from an accredited institution.
  2. Fill out the application and submit it to the Admissions Office or via email to the following address: admisiones@cmpr.edu. You can download the application. here.
  3. Fulfill the admission fee payment of $75 dollars (non-refundable) on or before May 31, 2026.
  4. Submit an official transcript of credits from the accredited university institution where you studied.* The transcript is required to demonstrate that the student completed at least a Bachelor's degree with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale.
  5. Three (3) letters of recommendation from teachers and/or professionals specializing in the area of music education.*
  6. Students in this program cannot enroll part-time. The required full-time course load each summer will be six credits.

*This requirement does not apply to those who enroll in consecutive summers.

Required grade point average

The GPA required to remain in the program is 3.00.

Residency requirement

The program is designed to be completed in three (3) summers as a full-time student in face-to-face mode.

Students not residing in Puerto Rico

The Conservatory does not provide lodging. However, its location in the Miramar neighborhood places it close to a wide variety of options within walking distance of the institution.

Class attendance policy

All enrolled individuals must attend all class sessions.

It is extremely important that participants are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm to successfully complete the contact hours for each course.

There will be no Saturday or Sunday classes; these days will be left free for any assigned tasks as part of the course requirements.

Language of instruction

The language of instruction at the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music is Spanish. However, some course materials are only available in English. If you have any questions about this, please contact our Admissions Office by email. admisiones@cmpr.edu.

Active graduate students

Active students of the Master's Degree in Music Education at the Conservatory may request the validation of the Kodály Certification credits as electives.

Faculty

Lydia Mills Lydia has specialized in teaching music using the Kodály method for over twenty years. She earned her Master of Music degree with a Kodály emphasis from Holy Names University in 2002. Lydia has taught music to students from preschool through sixth grade in bilingual schools in the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as in Santiago, Chile. In addition to teaching children, Lydia has directed teacher training programs in the Kodály approach throughout Latin America and founded the Kodály Institute training programs in both Puerto Rico and Chile. She has researched traditional children's singing games in Spanish, in collaboration with other music teachers and folk musicians from Latin America. Lydia has self-published several books and recordings of children's music in Spanish for teachers and families, and recently published The Magic of Kodály (The Magic of Kodály), a book about teaching music in Spanish.

Angel M. Vazquez-Ramos, Dr. Vázquez-Ramos, a native of Carolina, Puerto Rico, is the Director of Choral and Vocal Studies and a Professor of Music at California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB). He teaches undergraduate courses in music education and choral conducting, and directs the University Singers and Chamber Singers ensembles. Dr. Vázquez-Ramos is the music director of Meridian Voices, a Bakersfield-based chamber choir. Prior to his appointment at CSUB, he served as Director of Choral Education at Chapman University from 2010 to 2015. He maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor, judge, and clinician throughout the state and the western United States. He also founded La Voz Music Publishing, a publishing house dedicated to Latin American choral music.

Pedro L. Huertas Lazú He is originally from the town of Humacao, Puerto Rico. His career in public education began in 2014 as a general music teacher (K-5) and director of choral and percussion ensembles, a role he continues to this day. In 2015, he completed a Master's degree in Music Pedagogy at the Higher School of Music of Catalonia and then obtained the Orff certifications in Eastman School of Music (2017) and Kodály in Southeast Texas Kodály Certification Program (2018). A graduate of the Master's Program in Music Education in 2022 from the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music (CMPR), he received the Award for Excellence and the recommendation for the publication of his thesis Language arts to improve musical composition in Kodály teaching. In 2025, he joined the Kodály Program at CMPR as a professor of Musical Literature I, Pedagogy I, Pedagogical Practice I, and Musical Language. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in music education at [institution name missing]. University of Houston.

Costs

Graduated credit	$180
Admission fee (non-refundable)	$75
Summer Continuing Education Program Fee (non-refundable)	$125

Materials required

Each registered participant will be responsible for acquiring the following materials:

1. One-inch diameter ring binder or choir binder
2. Tuning fork (A = 440 Hz)
3. 333 Reading Exercises: Choral Method for Choir and Voice by Zoltán Kodály
4. Choral pieces assigned (will be announced after the application period closes)
5. The magic of Kodály by Lydia Mills

Questions

If you would like to learn more about the Kodály Certification, you can contact our Admissions Office via email: admisiones@cmpr.edu.

Access Kodály Certification Application