About Us

NOPA Board Members:

President: Renee Jacobs

Vice President: Tami Stephey

Secretary: Lisa Birkhimer

Treasurer: Lynn Tucker

Our Directors:

Ashley Rudd

Ashley Rudd is the Director of Orchestras for Newark City Schools and teaches orchestra at both Newark High School and Wilson Middle School. She has a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from St. Olaf College in Minnesota, and she has been an orchestra teacher since 2005.

Mrs. Rudd plays cello professionally in several area symphonies including the New Albany Symphony. Before moving to Ohio, she was the principal cellist in the Kishwaukee Symphony as well as the Fox Valley Symphony in Illinois. She also once played a concert for the Queen of Norway!

Email address: arudd@newarkschools.us

Molly Cline

Molly Cline currently teaches orchestra at Heritage Middle School as well as general music at Carson Elementary. Miss Cline earned her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio.

Miss Cline plays viola professionally in various ensembles including the Westerville Symphony and the Pyxis String Quartet.

Email address: mcline@newarkschools.us

Matt Coombs

Matt is the orchestra teacher at Liberty Middle School and also teaches music at Legend Elementary. Matt has been an orchestra teacher with Newark since 2001. Matt has a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Muskingum University and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum from Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

Matt has played bass professionally for many ensembles including: Welsh Hills Symphony, South East Ohio Symphony, Ohio Christian University, Zanesville Chamber Orchestra, Ultrasounds, Lakeside Trio, Lake Park Big Band, Rich Simcox Big Band, Weathervane Playhouse, Licking County Players, Millersport Community Theater, and Foot Light Players.

Email address: wcoombs@newarkschools.us