Kim Frie is Sapulpa Public Schools' Director of Fine Arts and the Sapulpa Performing Arts Center.
From performing professionally on New York City stages to serving as a principal and music educator, Frie brings a unique blend of experience to her role.
“I’ve had two very different careers,” said Frie. “To get to marry all of that together and to direct the fine arts programs and open the PAC, it’s just coming full circle.”
A classically trained opera performer and seasoned educator, Frie is poised to elevate Sapulpa’s fine and performing arts programs to new heights. Her mission: to create top-tier opportunities for students and transform the district’s arts experience into something extraordinary.
At the heart of her position is overseeing the future and foundation for the Sapulpa High School Performing Arts Center, a centerpiece of the high school bond project approved by voters in 2023. With construction underway, Frie is spending the weeks leading up to the school year familiarizing herself with the details of the new facility while connecting with community, civic, and city leaders.
“I’ve started the process of immersing myself in the community and meeting the people who want to help, in whatever way that is,” said Frie. “My goal is to provide not only a world-class experience for our students but a world-class experience for our community.”
Frie will work closely with Sapulpa’s visual and performing arts coordinators to expand and enrich the district’s arts pathways. Her vision unfolds in two phases: building an exceptional student experience in year one, and expanding that into a full-fledged community hub in year two.
“The first year is all about building that premier experience for the students, helping them see what they’re capable of and helping them visualize what could be,” said Frie. “The second year is incorporating that experience for the entire community and giving them a flagship, beautiful facility where they can see nationally-renowned, or, even in some cases, world-renowned, artists perform.”
Frie previously served for 13 years at Broken Arrow Public Schools in various roles including principal, assistant principal, counselor, and music teacher. She has also taught choral music in Brooklyn, NY, Jenks, and Dallas. She currently directs music at First United Methodist Church in Broken Arrow. She performs regularly at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, with a recent roles in Fiddler on the Roof and Ragtime.
She holds degrees from Oklahoma City University, Oral Roberts University, and Northeastern State University, with certifications in general music, vocal music, and school administration.