It is my privilege as the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Conservatory of Music to serve our communities by providing excellent music education and performance opportunities, which inspire and empower the people of Oklahoma. Ever since having founded this conservatory twelve years ago, I have been on a mission to change people’s lives through the power of music. We as artists and music teachers have the unique privilege to mold our young students into formidable young artists and passionate music enthusiasts. It is a privilege we do not take lightly. Music enhances these students lives in both seen and unseen ways. Whether the students move onto university-level studies in some of the top institutions in the nation, such as the Northwestern University, the Eastman School of Music or San Francisco Conservatory, or choose other career paths, such as medicine, engineering or law, their lives are forever influenced by the incredible and rigorous music education they received as young people.

Music enhances the lives of adults, just as it does the young people. Adult amateur musicians and adults only just beginning their journey into music for the first time ever, have the opportunity to study and enjoy this art without the pressures of competition or judgement. These adult musicians learn to be courageous by facing their fright of public performance through special adult oriented recitals. They learn to be supportive by playing in a group of other like-minded adult individuals. Together, they embrace the joy of music and take the opportunity to reset themselves after their day-to-day work commitments and family responsibilities.

Our communities have the opportunity to experience the music created by the students, as well as faculty and guest artists in venues throughout the region. Through the Soluna Concert Series, the faculty and the guest artists perform for our communities, with programming carefully selected and deeply thought through. These performances inspire the student community of OCM, the diverse communities of our state, and provide an artistic fulfillment for the faculty artists and guest artists.

As we embark on a journey of becoming and being a 501(c)3 organization, I ask you to join us on this wonderful experience of music, either by becoming a student at our unique conservatory, or by supporting us through much needed donations, and by joining us in one of the many unforgettable performances. Together we can create a world with more beauty, compassion and care towards the next generation of empowered Oklahomans.

Dr. Angelika Machnik-Jones

Executive Director, Oklahoma Conservatory of Music