The People

Rupa Mehta (OOPA)

Rupa Mehta is a teacher, author, wellness expert, and trailblazer in education. She is the founder of Nalini Method and NaliniKIDS, both based on Rupa’s wellness philosophy that true health is achieved by being both physically and emotionally fit. NaliniKIDS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to bring physical movement and emotional reflection to all children. OOPA’S World of Words is the groundbreaking new early childhood series from NaliniKIDS, bringing its mission to our youngest learners.

Chief Rick

Rick Armitage is the fearless fire chief of the Delaware Valley Volunteer Fire Company, and is also the founder and CEO of Armitage Power Systems, working alongside his two amazing sons. He is featured in RESPECT, NERVOUS, RULES, and COMMUNITY

Lisa

Lisa Naples is a nationally celebrated ceramic artist and educator. She runs the Lisa Naples Clay Studio in Frenchtown, NJ, a thriving creative hub that offers classes and workshops for all. She is featured in CREATE, PROUD, and SHARE.

Louis

Louis Cato is a Grammy-nominated and internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. He is the band leader of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Musical Director for OOPA. He is featured in LEADER, LISTENING, MUSIC, and PERSEVERANCE.

Destini

Destini Hendricks is an award winning Broadway dancer currently appearing in Broadway's, The Wiz, and teaches jazz, lyrical, hip hop and more. She is featured in EMBARRASSED, EXERCISE, FLEXIBLE, and RECEIVE.

The Guests

OOPA loves learning from her friends, who she meets in her WORDSHOP. From toddlers to grandmothers, firefighters to artists, the guests in OOPA'S World all play themselves as they share their connection to words.

Ms. J

Jerilyn Cole Burke is an early childhood educator and advisor to NaliniKIDS. She brings a warmth and commitment to developmentally appropriate educational approaches that can be felt throughout the series. She is featured in CITIZEN, COMPROMISE, CONFUSED, CONNECT, EXPLAIN, FORGIVE, GIVING, HELP, LIGHT, SAD, SAFE, and TIRED.

Nono

Noel Figueroa is an artist blacksmith specializing in custom crafted iron and bronze work, hand forged in Bucks County, PA. Beyond that, he is a maker of all things and his contributions to OOPA set design and construction are invaluable. He is featured in BOX, BUILD, BUILDING, CITIZEN, CURIOUS, GARDENING, HELP, INSECT, ROAD, SHY, AND SIMPLE MACHINE.

Colby

Colby Groves is a musician, videographer, graphic designer and marketing executive. He has been a long-time supporter and collaborator with NaliniKIDS. He is featured in CALM, OVERWHELMED, PERSONAL SPACE, and PET (with his beloved dog, Corkie).

Sydney

Sydney Lubin is a recent graduate of Temple University and is pursuing a career in elementary education. She loves the beach and playing soccer. She is featured in CONFIDENT, GRADUATION, and SAND.

David

David Lopez is an elite personal trainer and founder of BeNYfitt with a background in Physical Therapy, Strength and Conditioning, and Applied Functional Science. He is featured in CONSEQUENCE, TEAMWORK, and WELCOME.

Ed

Ed Tsuzuki is a nationally ranked masters swimmer, a swim coach to athletes of all ages, and a proud grandfather of three. He is featured in PARTICIPATE, RELAX, TRANSITION, and WATER.

Kayla

Kayla Johnson is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and storyteller, and former producer at ESPN. She is featured in ANGRY, DEMOCRACY, HAPPY and PATIENCE.

Sean

Sean Pritchard is a breath and mindset training coach, and founder of INHABIT which serves business leaders, sports organizations and education systems. He is featured in BRAVE, SCARED, and VOICE.

Tyler

Tyler Wallach is a visionary director with extensive experience across the television and film industry. He is the Director of the OOPA series. He is featured in CAMERA, CONGRATULATE, and GOODBYE.

Talia

Talia Priore is a dairy farmer and President of the New Jersey FFA Association, a national educational organization preparing young people for leadership and careers in agriculture. She is featured in ENERGY, ROUTINE, TREE, and WHEEL.

Christine

Christine Figueroa is a successful businesswoman and talented interior designer, who contributed her expertise to the set design of OOPA's World. She is the proud mother of four, and is featured in BREAD, CLOTHES, GENTLE, and MANNERS.

Rhoda

Rhoda Fairbanks is an experienced media professional with a background in cable television production and direction. She is a proud grandmother of three. She is featured in CONVERSATION, FRUSTRATED, and GRATEFUL.

Kanika

Kanika Chadda Gupta is a journalist and entrepreneur, the host of top-rated podcast, That Total Mom Sense, and CEO of a digital marketing firm. She is a former television anchor for CNN. She is featured in COOPERATE, MEALTIME, and SORRY.

Sam

Samuel Goldberg is an award winning film, television, theatre and live events producer. He is the Producer of OOPA'S World and Vice President of the Board of NaliniKIDS. He is featured in HOPE, LOVE, SILLY, and TRY.

Eric

Eric Friedman is an education consultant and former Director of Education Operations and Outreach at the John F. Kennedy Center. He is passionate about the integration of education, technology and the arts. He is featured in COURAGE.

Sam

Samantha Williams is an attorney in New York. She decided to enter the legal field to ensure that everyone receives fair representation and is treated equally under the law. She is featured in JUSTICE.

Teo

Teo is a middle school student who loves being outdoors, playing baseball with friends, and riding his bike. He performs in school plays, plays the piano and even writes his own music! He is featured in FREEDOM.

Bonny

Bonny Spence Dieterich is an educator and amputee who knows how it feels to look a little different. She is the author of the children's book, Recess Magic, a story about the power of courage and kindness. She is featured in GRATITUDE.

Dr. Lai

Naline Lai, MD, FAAP is a pediatrician at CHOP Primay Care, and the cofounder of the popular pediatric advice blog, Two Peds in a Pod. She is on the board of the Bucks County Children's Museum. She is featured in SERVICE.

Audrey

Audrey is a high school student at a technical school for builders. She loves to be in nature and work with her hands and organic materials. She is a talented artist and lover of cats and dogs. She is featured in SERVICE.

Taal

Taal, an up and coming kindergarten student, loves to be helpful and try new things. From helping create and paint the OOPA set to coming up with new words for OOPA to explore, she is an integral part of the world of words. She is featured in REACT, SURPRISE, and VOTE.

Spencer

Spencer is a middle school student, who loves to learn new things, be a great friend and a helpful son. When he is not solving a Rubik's Cube, he can be found cooking up fresh cookies for friends. He is featured in BRAINSTORM and RESPONSIBILITY.

Suhana

Suhana is an elementary student, classical dancer, and softball player. She loves to teach and has the patience to master many skills! Her artwork can light up your heart. She is featured in COOPERATE, SURPRISE, and VOTE.

Landon

Landon is an elementary student, an avid athlete, and the spunky friend you want to go on an adventure with! He loves to laugh, have fun and play catch with his dog, Josie. He is featured in BALL and TURN TAKING.

Jahi

Jahi is a middle school student who loves sports, spending time with his friends, and performing on camera! He is featured in BRAINSTORM and WORRY.

Izzy

Izzy is an elementary student, adventurer, and gymnast. She loves to create, cook, and contemplate her next feat. She also loves to snuggle with her dog, Birdie. She is featured in PRETEND and TURN TAKING.

Joey

Joey is an elementary student, who enjoys football and loves to share his hometown of NYC with anyone he can. He is a proud big brother and good friend to all. He is featured in TEAMWORK, TUBE, and VOTE.

Gidgett & Moti

Gidgett, mom of 5, grandma of 8, great grandma of 3, and friend of 2 year old Moti, loves all children. This dynamic duo can be seen playing with cars and laughing most days. They are featured in PLAY.

Behind the Scenes

OOPA'S World would not be what it is without the extended OOPA family working behind the scenes to bring this series to life.

Rupa Mehta

Creator, Writer, Producer, Art Director, Production Designer, Theme Song Creator

Samuel Goldberg

Writer, Producer, Director

Jamie Hurwitz

Producer, Script Supervisor

Tyler Wallach

Director, Consulting Producer

Louis Cato

Music Director, Theme Song Creator

Noel Figueroa

Production Designer, Set Builder

Jerilyn Cole Burke

Script Supervisor, Early Childhood Advisor, Consulting Producer, Theme Song Creator

Allie Lopez

Early Childhood Advisor, Consulting Producer

Hartley Mellick

Production Designer

Jason Belkov

Director of Photography, Lighting, Editing, Sound Design

Lucas Ruderman

Lighting

Kelli Lupo

Hair Design

Colby Groves

Theme Song Creator

Victoria Cecilio

Theme Song Vocals

David Gechman

Opening Credit Graphics