about the turnups
The TurnUps didn’t start as a business.
The TurnUps didn’t start as a business.
They started as two tired parents, two babies, and a whole lot of very bad kids music.
When our sons were babies, we were constantly surrounded by children’s songs that felt repetitive, noisy, and—honestly—kind of mind-numbing. If we heard “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed” one more time, we thought we might lose it.
So we did what we already knew how to do: we made music.
The first TurnUps album came together effortlessly. Every time our kids hit a new developmental moment—brushing teeth, learning routines, building confidence, moving their bodies—we turned it into a song. And then we watched something incredible happen: they got it. The music clicked. The concepts landed. Learning felt fun instead of forced.
And just as important?
It was genuinely fun to rock out with our kids.
Then Life Took Us Somewhere New
Not long after, we moved our family to the Dominican Republic. What we didn’t expect was how quickly other parents would discover the music.
Word started spreading. Parents began telling us, “You need to do something with this.”
More than once we heard, “Move over Yo Gabba Gabba!”
That encouragement planted a seed.
From Songs to a Show
We decided to try building a live, interactive experience around the music. We experimented. We refined. We created props, activities, and costumes. We leaned into participation and movement instead of passive watching.
Before we knew it, we had a weekly show—and every week it got better.
Kids weren’t just listening. They were dancing, laughing, responding, and fully engaged. Parents were smiling. Everyone was having a genuinely good time.
That’s when we knew: this was bigger than an album.
The Natural Next Step
Bringing The TurnUps into schools felt like the most natural next chapter. By that point, the show was ready. The music worked. The structure worked. Most importantly, kids connected with it.
What we love most about The TurnUps isn’t just the songs or the energy—it’s the kids. Their joy. Their confidence. Their willingness to jump in and participate fully.
The TurnUps are still exactly what they were at the beginning:
music made by parents, for kids, rooted in real life, real learning moments, and real fun.
Meet the TurnUps
Husband-and-wife team, Naomi and Dis
Timmy & Tina Turnup
The TurnUps are led by a husband-and-wife creative team with decades of experience in music, performance, and storytelling. As parents themselves, they understand how kids learn, move, and connect—and they design every show with that perspective front and center.
Dis and Naomi mckell
Dis is a lifelong rapper with a passion for storytelling, and Naomi is a singer and professional voice-over artist with years of experience in performance and recording. They live in the Seattle area, where they draw inspiration from family life, community, and the city’s vibrant music scene.