Helping students become musically literate is central to the school music curriculum. This workshop will focus on implementing a sound before symbol approach to teaching music literacy resulting in independent musicians rather than savvy symbol decoders. The TAKADIMI rhythm-pedagogy system, a beat-oriented system whose originators see it as evolving from Gordon’s syllables, will be incorporated. The rhythm syllables can easily be applied in the elementary music classroom, instrumental and choral rehearsal and collegiate aural skills courses. Opening and Keynote sessions will be streamed live from 8:15-10:00 AM in the WMS Media Center; DIM PD will begin at 10:00 AM in WMS's Band Room.