Manju Durairaj

Manju Durairaj was born and raised in India, studied in Pune, India, and was involved in graduate research projects on comparative pedagogical practices of Indian (Carnatic) and Western Music at Middlesex University, London, UK. She graduated with her second master’s degree and K-12 certification from VanderCook College of Music, Chicago and is now the Lower School Music Teacher at the Latin School of Chicago. In service to her profession, Manju is vice president elect DEI of AOSA and past president of the Greater Chicago Orff Chapter, serves on the Elementary General Music Council of Illinois MEA, and is a certified Orff Schulwerk Levels Instructor as well as a certified Arts Integration specialist. Additionally, she is an adjunct professor at VanderCook College of Music, Chicago where she teaches curriculum design and elementary methods graduate and undergraduate courses. Her continuing teaching education courses, on campus and online, include Culturally Responsive Music Education, Technology, Arts Integration, Curriculum Development, Responsive Classroom, and Redesigning Teaching and Learning for 21st Century.

Manju is a frequent clinician at various state, national, and international conferences. She has been published in the Orff Echo, Reverberations, Illinois Music Educators Journal, General Music Today, and the Journal of the Council for Research in Music Education. Her publications with Hal Leonard include InterAct with Music Assessment Levels 1 and 2, InterAct Levels 1&2 Student Activities for Devices and Print, Technology in Today’s Music Classroom and Dancing Around the World with Music Express Magazine.

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