Sandra Mathias, Ph.D., a distinguished music educator, has been honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Organization of American Kodály Educators (OAKE). This accolade, awarded on March 7, 2025, is a testament to her decades-long commitment to Kodály-inspired music education and her profound influence on generations of students and educators.
Reflecting on her career, Mathias said, “I think of all the people that brought me to this place. Past teachers that I happened to have in the Kodály philosophy and then being fortunate enough to live this long and seeing my students, who I taught, using that philosophy.”
“I always say that I feel like a farmer planting seeds, and I am just so blessed to have amazing crops that have grown and flourished. While [the award] is being given to me, I feel like it’s really because of the success of students passing it on. It’s very humbling.”
Mathias has dedicated over 50 years to advancing Kodály-inspired music education in the U.S. and abroad. She founded the Kodály Institute at Capital University and established the Columbus Children’s Choir, leaving an indelible mark on music education in Central Ohio. Through her leadership, she has facilitated learning opportunities by hosting Hungarian instructors and leading student groups to study at the Kodály Institute in Hungary.
After early teaching experiences in New York, Indiana, and Ohio, she discovered the Kodály philosophy, which transformed her approach to teaching. “It was just like big lights went on. Here is what I’ve been looking for,” she said. “My own musicianship grew because of the balance. It’s not only the pedagogy but it’s the emphasis on musicianship. I was just in awe.”
The Kodály Method, created by Hungarian composer and educator Zoltán Kodály, is a music education approach that fosters music literacy through singing and a carefully structured, sequential curriculum, with the human voice as the primary instrument.
“In the pedagogy, you have a clear goal for what students need to learn, but you provide experiences that engage them in three key ways: orally, physically, and visually. Some students excel in one or two of these areas, so the challenge is to design lessons that incorporate all three, using appropriate music and activities to reinforce each aspect.”
In 1979, she joined the faculty at Capital University, where she developed a groundbreaking Kodály program that integrated pedagogy and musicianship.
“When the proposal was evaluated, they said there’s not another program like this in the country. This is genius putting music and education together,” said Mathias. “I’m just so proud to think how it has thrived. Forty-five years is not something to laugh at, that is incredible.”
Mathias’s dedication and passion have left an indelible mark on music education. The OAKE Lifetime Achievement Award is a fitting tribute to a career that has profoundly shaped the future of music education.
“I’ve had the privilege of working under the direction of and alongside Dr. Mathias for over 30 years, first as an undergraduate student at Capital in the early 90s then through various positions at The Kodály Institute at Capital. I can confidently attest to her extraordinary dedication, skill, and passion for music education,” said Karla Cherwinski, director, Kodály Institute at Capital.
“She is a pioneer in introducing the philosophy of Zoltán Kodály through her work with the Kodály Institute in Keskemét, Hungary. She orchestrated countless opportunities for music education students and practicing teachers to learn from master teachers. She has a unique talent for recognizing each person's individual strengths and potential when they may not see it themselves. Many of Dr. Mathias’s former students, myself included, have gone on to pursue successful careers in music, achieving more than the individual thought possible, all because of Sandy’s ability to nurture, cultivate and grow each teacher she encounters.”
As the founder and artistic director of the Columbus Children’s Choir (formerly the Columbus Symphony Orchestra Children’s Chorus) for its first 25 years, Mathias shaped the musical lives of countless young singers. The impact of her work cannot be measured for any single student but is evident in the success of those who continue to carry forward her legacy.
“I’m so proud when I think about what some of them are doing now,” said Mathias. “One young man, I always called him Mini Mozart. He came to practice and showed me that he had composed a six-part arrangement and sang all the parts. He ended up going to Northwestern and wrote a musical with a friend there. After graduation, they went to New York City and have been trying to get to a musical on Broadway.”
Even in retirement, Mathias continues to nurture her own passion for music. She now enjoys performing big band music, reconnecting with her love for singing in a new and exciting way.
“I grew up playing saxophone, but I loved to sing,” said Mathias. “Music has always been a part of my life, and I love having the opportunity to continue sharing it in a different capacity.”
To learn more about The Kodály Institute at Capital, visit https://www.capital.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/kodaly-emphasis/.