Its mission is to provide affordable, high-quality, and culturally resonant music education.

I'm Dr. Angela Wellman, founding director of the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music, which is celebrating 20 years this year.

In another life, I was a professional trombonist.

I wanted to play classical trombone.

When I was coming up, that just was not a possibility.

My undergraduate teacher, he just wasn't having it.

He couldn't see me.

That's conduction right there.