Dear Friend of Oaktown Jazz Workshops,
It is thanks to you that we close out our 25th year as a thriving community based, non-profit organization for young musicians. At Oaktown Jazz, each young musician develops important skills that come with learning a musical instrument and playing in an ensemble. The self-discipline a child develops to practice, the ability to collaborate with others gained during rehearsals, and the courage strengthened by performing before a live audience are valuable tools that young people can apply for a lifetime.
With support from individuals like you, we are able to create a vibrant community for young musicians and their families. Our afterschool classes and workshops allow young people to learn to perform together, as a group, from professional musicians dedicated to helping youth develop their talents. Our Jazz Encounters program has brought in internationally touring musicians and multi-platinum and Grammy Award winning artists to speak and perform with our excited young musicians.
This past year, Oaktown Jazz Workshops’ youth ensembles performed at dozens of community events, our faculty led 70 presentations and sectionals at public schools, and we have been proud to produce monthly family-friendly concerts at our venue in Jack London Square.
To provide this uniquely dynamic musical education and experience to San Francisco Bay Area youth, we partner with local civic and arts organizations, and rely on support from dedicated community members like you. All contributions made to Oaktown Jazz Workshops go directly to performance education for young people who value it.
Our Founding Director, Khalil Shaheed, created Oaktown Jazz Workshops in 1994 with the mission of passing on the tradition of jazz music to youth in an authentic, supportive environment. Seven years ago we launched the Khalil Shaheed Scholarship Fund to cover the cost of our workshops for young musicians whose families could not otherwise afford tuition. This fund has been absolutely critical in supporting local young people seeking opportunities for creative expression and artistic development.
At this time, your contribution to this fund, in whatever amount you can manage, will encourage our children’s creativity, elevate music education and appreciation, and enrich our community. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Ravi Abcarian
Executive Director