A Night at Carnegie: Gala of 2025

Some nights linger in the air long after the last note fades, and A Night at Carnegie, the SAA Gala of 2025, was one of those nights. Held over Valentine’s Day weekend at the La Sierra Community Center in Carmichael, this event wasn’t just a fundraiser or a performance—it was a celebration of the heart, soul, and pure magic of music.

And, let’s be honest, a gathering of 160 guests feasting on delicious food, cheering on live performances, and honoring Bel Canto’s invitation to Carnegie Hall, and donating to the cause —it doesn’t get much more special than that.

The Gala of 2025

From the moment the evening began, the spirit of Carnegie Hall was in the air. The audience, a mix of parents, alumni, community members, and SAA students, settled in for a night of powerful performances and heartfelt moments.

• Vila Thygeson (Class of 2027) set the tone with Welcome the Rain, a stunning tribute to the lessons we inherit from those before us, reminding us to find beauty in life’s storms.
• SAA’s own Ms. Stephanie Ferguson and Ms. Vanessa Piersanti (our 6-8 VP and 6-12 Music Director) stepped in to perform in place of a few under-the-weather students. Proof that at SAA, our teachers do it all—not only inspiring students but literally joining them on stage.
• Alumna Renee Wylder (Class of 2012) captivated the crowd with a soulful set, weaving a musical journey through love and memory. Her performance honored Dr. Bev Wesner-Hoehn, the founding director of Bel Canto (2005) and a guiding force in SAA’s music program.
• The evening’s finale belonged to Bel Canto, delivering a stirring rendition of Hold Fast to Dreams. If goosebumps were the measure of success, this one brought the house down.