OAKLAND PUBLIC CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC CELEBRATES ITS 20th ANNIVERSARY WITH AN ELEGANT MILESTONE GALA

The Oakland Public Conservatory of Music (OPC), the first institution of its kind to center African Diasporic traditions as foundational to the creation of American music, proudly announces its 20th Anniversary Gala, an elegant evening of celebration, reflection, and vision. The milestone event will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, beginning at 2:00 PM at Downtown Oakland Science Academy (formerly Envision Academy of Arts & Technology) in Oakland, California. The evening will feature special artist support and honors, including: **Rhiannon Giddens** (Globally recognized Pulitzer Prize and Grammy Award-winning artist, instrumentalist and vocalist), receiving OPC's National Treasure Award; **Mary Watkins** (Acclaimed pianist & composer), receiving OPC's Lifetime Achievement Award; **Steve Turre** (renowned trombone master and decades-long member of the Saturday Night Live band), receiving OPC's OPC Hero Award. Turre will reunite with OPC alums **Amina Scott** (bass), **Ayinde Webb** (drums), and **Jasim Perales** (trombone) for a special performance, their first time performing together since OPC's 10th Anniversary Gala. A posthumous Lifetime Legacy Award will also be presented to **Ed Kelly** (Legendary Bay Area jazz pianist) and **Victor McElhaney** (OPC Alum). The 20th Anniversary Gala will be a landmark event befitting the institution's remarkable history. Guests will enjoy a curated evening featuring special artist performances, heartfelt tributes, and a celebration of two decades of impact, all set against the backdrop of Oakland's vibrant cultural community. **Honoring Dr. Angela Wellman: A Legacy of Vision and Service** Central to the evening will be a deeply personal tribute to OPC's founding visionary, Dr. Angela Wellman, whose tireless dedication, artistic brilliance, and unwavering commitment to community have defined the conservatory's identity and mission for twenty years. Wellman remarks, *“Every great dream begins with someone willing to imagine something beyond what already exists. Twenty years ago, I dared to imagine a conservatory of music for Oakland, and OPC was born, rooted in Oakland, sustained by love, and carried forward with courage, passion, and perseverance by a community that dared to dream with me. I look forward to passing the torch with full faith to leaders who share that dream and will carry it forward with fresh vision for Oakland and for the times we are living in.”* The Gala will mark a historic transition as Dr. Wellman announces her retirement and formally passes the torch to the next generation of leadership. This moment reflects both continuity and evolution, as the institution builds on a strong foundation and advances its future vision.