OMA

Tully is an OMA Gold school! This means that all students K-5 have access to Fine Arts instruction weekly, throughout their years in elementary school.

OMA General Music

OMA General Music is a program for students in Kindergarten through 3rd Grade taught by Mr. Jeff Simpson, the Arts Integration Specialist (AIS) for Tully. In 45-minute weekly group lessons, students work on becoming:

•  Tuneful – able to match pitch with others and hear melody in their heads,

•  Beatful – able to keep a steady beat and stay in tempo with others,

•  Artful – able to express and respond to the emotional content of the music.

This forms a foundation for their ongoing musicianship while also providing a framework to relate to the core academic content of their classroom. Activities include vocal exploration, echo songs, simple songs, song tales, spontaneous improvisation, movement for form and expression, songs and rhymes with beat motions, musical games, folk dances, percussion instruments, and, for 3rd Grade, recorder and ukulele instruction.

OMA Dance

OMA Dance is a program for 2nd grade students taught by Ms. Melanie Jarvis. Originally, from Southern California, Melanie grew up dancing in Ventura County and West Hollywood. Melanie’s training includes ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, modern, pom and African. She started teaching at age sixteen and realized her true love was teaching, choreographing and inspiring young dancers. Melanie enjoys combining art forms through the Showchoir program at Ironwood Ridge High School. She has taught at schools and dance studios across the country and has done master classes in Los Angeles and Osaka, Japan. Melanie has danced professionally in California and Arizona and currently has her own dance studio in Red Rock. She was an instructor with the United Spirit Association and has taught and choreographed at countless schools on the West Coast. She has received many awards including first place and top choreography while competing on the television show “Dance Moms.” She hopes to help every dancer achieve his or her potential while fostering a love for dance. Melanie is excited to share her passion for the arts with Tully students as an OMA Teaching Artist.

Violin, Orchestra, and Band

All 4th Graders learn violin, meeting for 45 minutes twice a week, taught by Ms. Joanna Amphayvong, assisted by Mr. Simpson.

5th Graders may choose from the whole array of instruments from both orchestra and band. Both meet twice a week for 45 minutes. Ms. Amphayvong teaches the orchestra, while band is taught by Ms. Daniela Gonzales. Mr. Simpson splits his time providing support for both ensembles.