About KSNS

Foundations (1967-1990)

Following a 1966 visit to Hungary in order to observe the renowned singing primary schools, Dalhousie University Professor of Music Education, Vernon Ellis, approached Department of Education Music Consultant Paul Murray about inviting Hungarian master teachers to teach at the 1967 Nova Scotia Summer School. The decision to do so was met with great enthusiasm, resulting in a seven year association between music educators in Halifax and Hungary.

Steadfast collaboration between Anikó Hamvas and Katalin Forrai (Hungary) with Kaye Dimock Pottie and Riet Vink (Halifax) during these years resulted in stellar teacher training and the development of a province-wide curriculum, complete with song material found within Dr Helen Creighton’s folksong collection. By all accounts, the enthusiasm of the Halifax teachers for Kodály’s groundbreaking approach to teaching music to children was palpable. Teachers worked regularly together to discuss strategies, exchange new materials, demonstrate teaching techniques, draft sample lesson plans, and set goals.

Early Adopters in Canada

Among the first English-language schools in Canada to implement Kodály’s ideas on a school-wide basis were those in Halifax/Kjipuktuk. As the like-minded vision for music education by those such as Vernon Ellis, Kaye Dimock Pottie, Riet Vink, and Paul Murray was coming to fruition, its successes began to draw attention outside of Nova Scotia. Music educators started coming from other parts of Canada and as far away as Iceland to observe what was happening in Halifax schools.

In 1972, Kaye Dimock Pottie was invited to Montreal to participate in a meeting that led to the founding of the Kodály Institute of Canada (renamed the Kodály Society of Canada in 1986). Here, she met for the first time husband and wife team Pierre Perron and Margaret Tse Perron, along with fellow founding members Mae Daly, Gordon Kushner, and Richard Johnston, to name a few.

To find out more about the history of Kodály in Nova Scotia and in Canada, see Alla Breve, Vol. 47 (KSC website member’s section).

Provincial Branch Established (1991)

Building upon the sturdy foundation that was nurtured by Hungarian trained music educators in the Halifax/Kjipuktuk school system for twenty years, the Kodály Society of Nova Scotia was formed in 1991. This was in response to a desire to share this foundation with music programs outside of urban centres. Founding members included Riet Vink, Kaye Dimock Pottie, Joyce Pierce, Malcolm Bradley, and others.

In addition to providing a supportive community for music educators, KSNS offered two workshops each year, sponsored a clinician for the annual NSMEA October conference, published 2 newsletters, liaised with the Kodály Society of Canada, and began initiatives such as “Kodály for Choirs”, where various elementary choirs would gather for a day of singing together, followed by an evening concert. KSNS, in partnership with KSC and NSMEA, hosted the highly successful KSC national conference entitled Making Waves.

Present Day

Outreach continues today much in the same way that it has as originally envisioned. KSNS is delighted to host KSC annual meetings and regional workshops every few years, along with annual workshops, newsletters, and clinician sponsorship. We offer a monthly Coffee & Canons meetup the 3rd Friday of each month where members are invited to sing, polish up some solfege skills, and share the ups and downs of teaching realities. Starting in 2023, we were thrilled to be able to host KSC accredited Kodály Levels summer learning once again here in Atlantic Canada! Our next opportunity is the summer of 2027.

The biggest strength of KSNS remains the dedicated current executive who strive to provide a welcoming and relevant place for fellow music educators to share and grow together! KSNS is the grateful recipient of the passion for quality music education based on the ideals of Zoltán Kodály passed down to us by its founding members. We recognize them, along with other valued contributors below.

KSNS Honourary Members

Malcolm Bradley
Joyce Pierce
Kaye Pottie
Pierre Perron (deceased)
Riet Vink (deceased)

KSNS Past Presidents

Kaye Pottie
Riet Vink
Joyce Pierce
Malcolm Bradley
Martha Healy
Janet Gaskin
Maureen Dunn
Pamela Burton
Eleanor Hall
Faith Daley
Louise Grinstead