Community Music Night Raises Funds for Local Schools

A quiet evening in Santa Clarita transformed into a lively fundraiser when local piano teacher Oksana Kolesnikova opened her first event for the Oksana Foundation. The night began with her own piano compositions before guests heard Ardeshir Farah, a former member of Strunz & Farah, and guitarist Luis Villegas. Their music blended Persian rhythms with Latin jazz and folk tunes, creating a mix that felt both global and intimate.

The venue was the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center’s Bella Vida Ballroom, decorated with candles and a small cigar bar to give the night a touch of downtown Los Angeles flair. The event also featured catering, making it a full evening experience for attendees eager to support music education for low‑income students in the area.

Oksana has lived in Santa Clarita for a decade, working with local schools to offer music lessons and extracurricular programs. She also teaches at the senior center. This fundraiser marked the first time her foundation reached out to the community for donations, signaling her growing influence in the region.

Before performing, Oksana shared why she started the foundation: as a 15‑year‑old immigrant from Siberia and Kazakhstan, she struggled with language barriers and limited resources. Yet people in her new community believed in her talent and guided her toward music. She now wants to give back by ensuring other children have the same opportunities she received.

The event’s host, Danyelle Sanders of On the Level Productions, highlighted how the candle‑lit concert brought a slice of Los Angeles culture to Santa Clarita. “We’re proud to offer this experience locally,” Sanders said, noting the joy of seeing community members come together for a shared cause.

The fundraiser was not only a musical showcase but also a reminder that art can bridge cultural gaps and provide vital support for education in underserved neighborhoods. By combining performance, community spirit, and philanthropy, the evening set a hopeful tone for future events aimed at enriching local schools.