Markus J. Weiss
Music Educator · Waldorf Specialist · Workshop Leader
Biography & Experience
Markus Weiss has 25+ years of experience in Waldorf music education, having taught, performed, and led workshops on four continents. He trained at Tonalis Music Education and Emerson College in Forest Row, England, and understands the developmental needs of children from the earliest years through high school.
Since 1999 he has taught music at the Freie Waldorfschule Emmendingen — a school that unites children with and without special needs in the full Waldorf tradition. As its first music teacher, he built the entire music programme from the ground up.
His workshop work has taken him across the West Coast of North America, Germany, Taiwan — including long-term work with the Vox Nativa Choir and indigenous Bunun and Atayal communities — and Prague.
Professional Experience
Freie Waldorfschule, Emmendingen, Germany (1999–Present)
Music Teacher
As the first music teacher in the school I designed their music programme, initiating the middle and upper grade orchestra and choirs. I developed a percussion ensemble and guitar course which addressed the needs of upper grade students. Each year a full school Christmas concert and other projects such as Samba rhythms have been performed.
Nelson Waldorf School, Nelson, BC, Canada (1997–1999)
Music Teacher
Responsible for visualising and implementing a music programme for grades K–8. In each class I introduced carefully selected music from Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and Multicultural streams, addressing the developmental needs of each grade. Our first Christmas performance included an artistic arrangement of sacred music, violin, gongs, and choral singing. The second spring performance highlighted song, movement, and recorder in a dazzling array called Cirque du Printemps. I also provided sound design for class plays and conducted workshops for other schools.
Santa Monica Waldorf School, California, USA (1997–1998)
Music Leader
Planned and implemented a three-week curriculum with a performance of Akimba — a musical puppet play for parents, co-created with Susan Dudley.
Pasadena Waldorf School, Altadena, California, USA (1997–1998)
Instructor
Worked with kindergarten and class teacher trainees to present a Waldorf music curriculum designed out of the Tonalis music impulse.
Malamalama Waldorf School, Keaau, Hawaii (Autumn 1997)
Music Teacher
Education
School for Uncovering the Voice, Bochum, Germany (2001–2004)
Diploma in singing therapy using the Werbeck method.
Emerson College — Tonalis Music Education, Forest Row, England (1991–1996)
An in-depth study of music education addressing the developmental stages of children aged 1–18. Areas of study included: music history; pedagogical approach to songs, rounds, and part singing; musical elements such as rhythm, melody, harmony, timbre, and space; new instruments including gongs, bells, and Choroi lyres and flutes. The course was highlighted with teaching practice, concert tours, and workshops in Steiner Schools. Werbeck singing and choral work were central to daily practice.
Emerson College — Foundation Year, Forest Row, England (1990–1991)
Credentials
Professional references and certificates are available on request.
Workshops Conducted
Over the years I have led music workshops at schools and institutions around the world:
- Earth Waldorfschool — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — October 2026
- Nairobi Waldorf School — Nairobi, Kenya — July 2026
- Mother Earth Waldorfschool — Taichung, Taiwan — April 2026
- Island Waldorfschool — Hong Kong — April 2026
- Alanus Hochschule — Mannheim, Germany — March 2026
- Waldorf School Prague — Prague, Czech Republic — February 2026
- Mother Earth Waldorfschool — Taichung, Taiwan — April 2025
- Waldorf School Prague — Prague, Czech Republic — February 2025
- Mother Earth Waldorfschool — Taichung, Taiwan — April 2024
- Waldorf School Prague — Prague, Czech Republic — February 2024
- Mother Earth Waldorfschool — Taichung, Taiwan — April 2023
- Waldorf School Prague — Prague, Czech Republic — February 2023
- Waldorf School Prague — Prague, Czech Republic — February 2020
- Mother Earth Waldorfschool — Taichung, Taiwan — April 2019
- Waldorf School Prague — Prague, Czech Republic — February 2019
- Mother Earth Waldorfschool — Taichung, Taiwan — March 2018
- Island Waldorfschool — Hong Kong — October 2018
- Waldorf School Prague — Prague, Czech Republic — February 2018
- Island Waldorfschool — Hong Kong — October 2017
- Shan Feng Elementary School — Shan Feng, Taiwan — April 2017
- Mother Earth Waldorfschool — Taichung, Taiwan — April 2017
- Waldorf School Prague — Prague, Czech Republic — February 2017
- London Waldorf School — London, ON, Canada — August 2016
- Pusin Waldorfschool — Taoyuan, Taiwan — March 2016
- Shan Feng Elementary School — Shan Feng, Taiwan — March 2016
- Mother Earth Waldorfschool — Taichung, Taiwan — March 2016
- Waldorf School Prague — Prague, Czech Republic — February 2016
- Mother Earth Waldorfschool — Taichung & Nantou, Taiwan — March 2015
- Waldorf School Bratislava — Bratislava, Slovakia — May 2015
- Waldorf School Prague — Prague, Czech Republic — February 2015
- Nelson Waldorf School — Nelson, BC, Canada — September 2014
- Calgary Waldorf School — Calgary, Canada — August 2014
- Waldorf School Prague — Prague, Czech Republic — May 2014
- Mother Earth Waldorfschool — Taichung & Nantou, Taiwan — April 2014
- Freiburg Teacher Trainees — Emmendingen, Germany — November 2013
- Freiburg Teacher Trainees — Emmendingen, Germany — April 2013
- Freiburg Teacher Trainees — Emmendingen, Germany — April 2012
- Shang Feng Waldorf School — Yun Lin County, Taiwan — February 2012
- Freiburg Teacher Trainees — Emmendingen, Germany — November 2011
- Fungli Waldorf School — Taichung, Taiwan — May 2011
- Fungli Waldorf School — Taichung, Taiwan — February 2011
- Freiburg Teacher Trainees — Emmendingen, Germany — October 2010
- Musiktagung Hamburg — Hamburg, Germany — January 2010
- Freiburg Teacher Trainees — Emmendingen, Germany — 2004–2009
- Hsinchu University — Hsinchu, Taiwan — February–May 2009
- Ci-Xin Waldorf School — Dongshan, Taiwan — March 2008
- Santa Cruz Waldorf School — Santa Cruz, CA, USA — April 1999
- Calgary Waldorf School — Calgary, AB, Canada — February 1999
- Duncan Waldorf School — Duncan, BC, Canada — March 1999
- Kelowna Waldorf School — Kelowna, BC, Canada — April 1998
- Duncan Waldorf School — Duncan, BC, Canada — April 1998
- Sacramento John Morse School — Sacramento, CA, USA — April 1998
- Honolulu Waldorf School — Honolulu, Hawaii — March 1998
- Nelson Waldorf School — Nelson, BC, Canada — February–March 1998
- Spokane Public School — Spokane, WA, USA — December 1997
- Highland Hall Waldorf School — Los Angeles, CA, USA — August & November 1997
- Westside Waldorf School — Santa Monica, CA, USA — April 1997
- Santa Cruz Waldorf School — Santa Cruz, CA, USA — April 1997
- Haleakela Waldorf School — Honolulu, Hawaii — February 1997