Oklahoma Performing Arts
Faculty
A nonprofit arts education program for Tulsa-area youth
Oklahoma Performing Arts’ faculty is committed to the extra planning, flexibility and creativity required to make the arts accessible to all students. Artist instructors meet students where they are on the path to excellence, allowing them full access to the learning environment in which they’ll be expected to succeed.
OPA instructors
Oklahoma Performing Arts is committed to:
• providing your child a professional arts education
• giving your child the individual time and care needed to meet or exceed their potential
• giving your family the support and resources to ensure that an arts education is part of your child’s development
• sharing how joyful it is to learn, to be challenged, to fail and then succeed, and all of the steps in between. It’s the journey, not the destination.
Ms. Laura
Executive/Artistic Director
For more than four decades, Laura Norman Tyson has dedicated her life to cultivating the
transformative power of performing arts education. As the Executive/Artistic Director of
Oklahoma Performing Arts (OPA), Ms. Laura has built a vibrant, student-centered community
where young artists are encouraged to discover their voice, strengthen their discipline, and grow
in confidence both on stage and beyond.
Her commitment to excellence and inclusiveness, she has opened doors for countless students,
many of whom have gone on to prestigious summer intensives, universities, and professional
careers. Alumni have trained with programs such as the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute,
Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Milwaukee Ballet, and pursued higher education at the University
of Utah, University of Missouri–Kansas City, University of Texas, University of Tulsa, and the
University of Oklahoma. OPA graduates thrive as professional performers, educators, doctors,
musicians, and leaders, carrying forward the values of character, artistry, and service instilled
under her guidance.
Beloved for her warmth and mentorship—as well as her famous chocolate chip cookies—Ms.
Laura creates an environment where students feel supported, challenged, and inspired. Through
her vision and unwavering passion, she continues to empower the next generation to transform
training into artistry, and artistry into lifelong purpose.
Ms. V
Teaching Artist, Student Life Dir., Dir. of Community Engagement
V Kyle Tyson is a trailblazing dance educator, advocate, and visionary dedicated to making the arts accessible for all! Representing the LGBTQIA+ and disabled communities, V believes that every child, regardless of background or ability, deserves the chance to dance. Growing up in the arts starting at age 2 V’s passion for the arts only grew with her. Graduating from the Allenato program in 2014 they went on the study Film, Communications, Theatre Performance and Dance graduating from The University of Texas with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance with an emphasis in disability integration in the arts. With an unshakable voice and fiery passion, they are redefining the landscape of arts education—ensuring that inclusion isn’t just a conversation but a movement. V is committed to breaking barriers, inspiring change, and proving that arts belong to everyone!
Ms. Megan
Teaching Artist/Movement, Choreography, Productions
Megan Tauch, a Tulsa-based dance artist, grew up studying the arts at Oklahoma Performing Arts. OPA cultivated a love for dance that she has carried on throughout her life. After graduating high school, She went on to complete her BFA in Dance with a minor in Exercise Science at Wichita State University. With an emphasis on modern dance, she learned techniques such as Horton and Limon that heavily influence her teaching today. At WSU she was thrilled to work with guest artists such as Darrell Grand Moultrie, Charlotte Boye Christensen, and Jammie Walker. Megan also toured to Xalapa, Mexico with Wichita State’s student company, Wichita Contemporary Dance Theatre. Megan is now a company member with Wildly Brave, a non-profit dance company based in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and performs with them several times a year. Megan is delighted to be a movement teacher at Oklahoma Performing Arts teaching ballet, jazz, and modern techniques. She hopes she can instill the same passion for the arts that she received as a former student with OPA.
Dir. Sierra
Teaching Artist, Student Life Dir., Managing Dir./Internal Operations
Sierra Pruitt is a student life director, managing director, and movement instructor at Oklahoma Performing Arts. Sierra began dancing at a young age in her hometown of Denton, TX, and continued through college, earning a BA in Dance Performance from Oral Robert’s University. Sierra is passionate about teaching and sharing their love for dance and the arts to as many people as possible. To continue to spread this passion, she worked with the Oklahoma State Dept. of Education in their Art-Tech Grant, which helps bring arts education to schools in which arts classes are not provided. In addition to her work in the arts, Sierra also works as an academic tutor at Tulsa Community College. Through her work, Sierra hopes to help form individuals empowered with the benefits of accessible arts education.
Ms. Linda
Teaching Artist/Voice, Choral, Music Theory
Linda Roark-Strummer is a native of Tulsa. She attended Barnard Elementary, and Wilson Junior High, and graduated from Tulsa Central High School. From there, she attended the University of
Tulsa and received a BME. She worked with Tulsa Opera for several years before deciding to go to graduate school for a Master’s Degree in vocal Performance. Linda left her degree program to
become a professional. She joined the touring subsidiary of San Francisco Opera, Western Opera Theater. After two years with the company, she and her husband (Bass-Baritone Peter Strummer) moved to Europe. Ms Roark-Strummer spent several years singing in the Opera Houses of Germany and Austria until she received an invitation from Beverly Sills to sing at the New York City Opera which led to an invitation to sing at La Scala (Milan, Italy) and many of the important Opera Venues all over
the world. OPA is delighted and honored to have Ms. Linda on staff.
Mr. Clark
Teaching Artist/Theatre and Resident Playwright
Mr. Clark Frayser has been with OPA for several years, and enjoys seeing students grow in confidence as their acting skills improve. Clark has been involved in drama since high school, and even directed the Little Theatre in his hometown, Big Spring Texas. Mr. Clark graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Drama. While in Austin, he also acted with the Zachary Scott Theatre. While in the Teacher Corps in South Dakota, Clark directed a play for the Group Theatre in Rapid City and acted in the first production of “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown after it closed on Broadway. Clark co-wrote the Panther and the Swan the tribal play of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe. Clark acted, directed, and taught with the Theatre Tulsa, American Indian Theatre copay, and Tulsa Public Schools. Playing the lead in the Trail of Tears for Cherokee Nation for several seasons was a highlight. Last year Mr. Clark wrote and directed Loves Labour Murdered or “Alls’ well that Ends Dead a murder mystery for the Spotlight Theatre. Prompted by that OPA will include a Shakespeare-inspired production: Not Much Ado About Everything for the upcoming season.
Ms. Nicole
Teaching Artist, Dir. Of Adult Engagement and Partnerships
Nicole Brown is a passionate dance instructor with a lifelong love of movement and music. She teaches SHiNE Dance Fitness, where she creates a high-energy, uplifting, environment that encourages students to build confidence, express themselves, and connect through dance. With a focus on community and inclusivity, Nicole believes that dance is for everyone and strives to make her classes welcoming and empowering for all.
With years of experience as both a dancer and educator, Nicole has taught a variety of dance styles and worked with students of all ages. She has an extensive background in music education, having taught elementary music for 11 years, developed curriculum, and mentored teachers. Her deep understanding of rhythm and musicality enhances her dance instruction, allowing her to create engaging and dynamic movement experiences. Nicole has works in theater and choreography, contributing to musical productions and coaching performers in both vocal and movement techniques.
Ms. Samantha
Teaching Artist/Piano, Clarinet, Voice, Choral
Ms. Samantha teaches voice, piano, and acting at Oklahoma Performing Arts. She was the music
director for OPA’s production of “Costumes: A Halloween Musical”, and was the assistant
director for “T’was the Night Before Christmas: A Retelling.” As well as being on faculty with
OPA, she performs with the Tulsa Opera Chorus, and previously sang with the New Orleans
Opera Association and the Chicago based professional chorus, Cor Cantiamo. Ms. Samantha has
her bachelors in choral music education from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and her
masters in Voice Performance from Loyola University New Orleans.
OPA Board Members
Interim president
Cylene Walker-Willis
Directors
Emily Snow
Aurora Farnham
Reese Morrel Jr.
Kara Hader
advisory board
Sharon Pierson
Mike Lagorio
Executive/Artistic Director
Laura Norman Tyson