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A hands-on music program that invites Tulsa middle and high school students to pick up an instrument, form a band, and find their voice through songwriting and performance.
Tangled Up in Tunes is an educational initiative of the Bob Dylan Center and a part of Tulsa Public Schools' expanded learning programming. It invites middle and high school students to explore the power of music in a creative, hands-on environment.
With generous support from grant-writing organizations and local partners, working recording artists from the Tulsa music scene lead students through lessons in electric and acoustic guitar, keyboard, harmonica, and percussion. But students do more than learn to play — they form bands, collaborate with their peers, and perform live together, building confidence and a sense of belonging along the way.
The program also puts real weight on songwriting and musical storytelling. Students are encouraged to draw on their own experiences and express themselves through original lyrics and melodies, guided by mentors who help bring their ideas to life. The result is more than technical skill: teamwork, self-expression, and a lasting appreciation for music as both an art form and a way to connect.
Watch students pick up instruments, form bands, and find their voice — an inside look at what a season of Tangled Up in Tunes looks and sounds like.
Whether you're an educator interested in bringing Tangled Up in Tunes to your students, a partner exploring how to get involved, or simply curious to learn more, we're happy to help. Reach out and someone from our education team will follow up.
Donations made to the Freedom Highway & Beyond Education Fund
Jenny Norton and Bob Ramsey
Tangled Up in Tunes programming at Street School for the 2026–2027 school year has been made possible through an Arts in Alternative Education Community Programming grant provided by the Oklahoma Arts Council (OAC) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
