Conductor and music educator Igó Lenke, a world-renowned and recognized “follower” of Zoltán Kodály’s music pedagogical ideas, received the OAKE Lifetime Achievement Award. The award honors exceptional individuals who have made such a far-reaching impact on music education that they have had an indelible influence on music education based on Kodály’s principles in America. It is rare for a Hungarian music educator to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2020 Lenke Igó received this prestigious international honor. During her career, she taught in more than 12 different higher education institutions in the United States for 45 years, in shorter and longer courses, as well as in programs spanning entire academic years. Among these, the Kodály Musical Training Institute (Wellesley MA), the New England Conservatory (Boston MA), Brigham Young University (Provo UT), the Hartt School (Hartford -CT), Holy Names College (Oakland-CA), Alverno College (Alverno-WI), the University of North Texas (Denton TX), and the Southern Methodist University (Dallas TX) stand out.

While OAKE members and friends traveled to the International Kodály Symposium in 2025, it was the perfect chance to present this award by OAKE President Tom Michalek in-person to Lenke Igó.

Congratulations!