For so many of us, when we live high school or college, we leave behind a lot more than our friends and old flames; we leave behind literal hobbies and activities that we’d come to enjoy.
Unless you go into a field where things like music or art are a regular part of your craft, you’ll likely find yourself drifting away from the comfortable feel of a guitar or a paintbrush. As the years trudge on, the magic of the experience may very well become forgotten.
It’s an unfortunate problem, and one that Roger Johnson and his cohorts at Over Edukated (110 and 114 E. Dewey)Music and Arts work week in, week out to help you and lots of others overcome.
Johnson, who by day operates as the Assistant Principle of Holmes Park Elementary School, promises “one of the best family friendly music and art studios in Sapulpa. We have a lot of fun here and we make sure you’ll have a great time, too.”
Of course, the name is memorable, but it didn’t start as a studio. It started as you might have guessed: a band.
A teacher band, to be exact.
Johnson and several others (including teacher-turned-journalist Kirk McCracken) came together to form the original Over Edukated—with a backwards-turned “K” for exaggerated effect.
Though the band split several years ago, Johnson requested that he keep the name, because he knew a good thing when he saw it. When he decided to open up a music and art studio 3 years ago, he says “I knew I wanted instructors that are good with working with kids. I try to find teachers, retired teachers and assistants to fill those positions. I thought it worked as a great fit,” he says.
And now he sees that backwards K as “it’s okay to be yourself”.
And a lot of “yourselfs” there are, since they have classes and lessons applying to everyone in every age group, from toddlers to adults. Be it private 1-on-1 music lessons, small instruction children art classes, or painting classes for adults and children; there really is something for everyone.
“We have started a toddler music class called ‘First Rhythms’ with infants and toddlers welcome to come in, keep a beat, play music games and parent and child to interact,” Johnson told us. “(There’s) also a new toddler art class for parents to work with their children getting their hands in paint creating art called ‘First Marks’. We have even started couples dance lessons of West Coast Swing and Two-Step.”
Johnson has a lot of years under his belt in “edukation,” and just as an art and music teacher. Though he began giving out lessons as he taught junior high and high school, when he became an assistant principal, he lost that opportunity.
Not one to let a dream slip through his fingers, he began giving music lesson at his home. “It grew to the point that I couldn’t take in more lessons but people continued asking,” he says. “I moved the music out of my home and added art to the mix. I hired on some great instructors that helped spread the word.”
And the rest as they say, is history.
Johnson maintains that Over Edukated is a family. “(It’s) not just myself and the employees that work with me, but the kids, families and individuals that come in. Seeing the happiness and fun times that everyone gets out of the Over Edukated experience,” he said.
One of the biggest draws to Over Edukated is it’s affordability. “We have the lowest prices of anyone around (except those teaching out of their homes),” Johnson says. “I don’t think anyone can compare to our prices. Over Edukated is affordable and is willing to work with families that are financially less fortunate.”
Proving that it really is something for the whole family, Johnson tells about one family with triplets learning 3 different music instruments. “We have them scheduled at one time, so the family can get their lessons in one 30 minute session and then continue with their other busy activities,” he said. “We have multiple siblings and some parent/children doing lessons at the same time. We have even have some sibling that do music and art during the same times.”
Probably the best part about it, if you haven’t gotten it yet, is it’s broad appeal. “We have something for everyone. Art for everything from toddlers to adults. We can do crafty things, birthday parties and teach more advanced lessons when needed. I feel like anyone will be happy with what we have to offer with the individual help, the caring atmosphere, the patience of the teachers and the creativity and learning that goes on.”
Of course, there are plenty of memories for Johnson and his helpers as well. “I will keep it going for the kids,” he said. “When you see them light up at an art show or recital—that’s what reminds me of why I do this.”
Over Edukated is occupies both 110 and 114 E Dewey Street in downtown Sapulpa. You can learn more about Over Edukated, sign up and pay for their events on their website or check them out on Facebook.
