Valley Oak Elementary School Music Department

Valley Oak believes that a fine arts education is essential for the development of the whole child. Our music program provides students with unique experiences that allow them to explore their passions, maximize their creativity and critical thinking skills, and learn valuable lessons about self-motivation, dedication and teamwork. 

Students in Grades 1-3 will receive one 30 minute music class per week that consists of singing, movement and playing simple instruments all designed to foster a life-long appreciation of music.

Students in 4th Grade will receive TWO 30-minute classes per week, one emphasizing choral music and one emphasizing instrumental music with the intent to help students discover their passion as they begin transitioning to 5th grade performing groups.

Students in Grades 5-6 choose to participate in choir, band or orchestra and receive two 45 minute classes per week. These outstanding ensembles offer students the chance to develop vocal and instrumental skills and perform at festivals and concerts throughout the school year. 

Bethany Speir earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education with Vocal Music emphasis from Evangel University in Springfield, MO. Mrs. Speir has 22 years of teaching experience, having taught piano and voice lessons for several years and vocal/classroom music in Clovis Unified since 2006. She loves helping young musicians develop their talents, skills, and passions and develop an appreciation for a wide range of music.  She is also an accomplished performer with extensive experience as a vocalist in choral groups, operas, theater, and bands, locally and internationally. When she is not teaching or making music, Mrs. Speir enjoys yoga, fishing, and exploring nature with her husband, Michael and two sons, John & Alex.

Sarine Topaldjikian earned both her Bachelor and Master of Arts in Music Performance in Violin from CSU Fresno. As a former Golden Eagle, Ms. Topaldjikian is happy to return to her alma mater to serve as a Strings Specialist teaching 5th and 6th grade Orchestras throughout the Clovis West area elementary schools. She has also enjoyed and spent many years serving the district as an Orchestra coach at Clovis West High School, Kastner Intermediate, as well as the Reagan and Buchanan Educational Centers. Ms. T has a love for teaching strings while helping her students develop a beneficial and healthy relationship with music. Aside from teaching she has extensive experience in performance including various string chamber groups, orchestras, and operas. When she isn’t teaching, Ms. T enjoys taking trips to the beach, driving up the to the mountains, and spending time with family, friends and her kitty, Nanu. 

Key Poulan IV (pronounced Pole-an) earned his Bachelor Degree in music education from Fresno State.  Outside of teaching elementary band, classroom music, and orchestra, he works with high school marching bands in the Central Valley, teaches private trombone and euphonium/baritone students, and is on the brass staff at the Sacramento Mandarins drum corps.  He has experience playing in concert bands, orchestras, jazz bands, marching bands, and chamber ensembles.  With a wide breadth of musical background, his core belief is that every child should be exposed to as many differing musical styles and artists as possible, so their educational experience is all-encompassing.  As a former Clovis West student, he is enthusiastic about helping students that come from his area to build a love for music!  Outside of teaching and music, Mr. Poulan enjoys being outside in nature, reading, caring for his plants and saltwater fish tank, and building Lego sets as he is still a child at heart.