September Newsletter
2026 |
A Note from Our Founder & Artistic Director:
Summer break is officially over — and we missed you! We are coming back with fresh energy and so much to look forward to.
As Altadena continues to rebuild, this season feels especially meaningful to us. We are excited to bring people together again through music and to find new ways to be there for the community we love. And there’s a lot happening behind the scenes! We have some wonderful programs planned for this fall.
Stay close. Stay curious. You won’t regret it.
See you soon,
Irina Voloshina |
Bring the kids! - October 4th |
Melodia Mariposa is pleased to present our second Family Concert at the LA Arboretum at 4pm on Sunday October 4th.
Last year we entertained our young audience with a highly engaging performance of Peter and the Wolf with lots of audience participation!
This year you can enjoy a delightful performance of Camille Saint-Saëns' Carnival of the Animals - a humorous musical suite of 14 animal-themed movements with chamber orchestra, two pianos, percussion and a narrator. A specially commissioned script showcases the animals and the instruments that portray them. Lights and images will project on a big screen for an immersive, multimedia experience!.
You should definitely put the word out to your family and friends about this unique event. Bring the kids, bring the grandkids and start a new generation with a love of classical music!
As ever, the tickets are free but please only order if you are sure you can attend! This is a bigger venue for us and we want to see it full of happy families!
The concert starts at 4pm in Ayres Hall within the grounds of the LA Arboretum. Please enter through Gate 2 in the main parking lot. You do not need admission for the Arboretum to attend. |
Member's Party: Sept 20th, 4pm |
It's party time again!
For four years now, we have held a Fall party to thank our donors for their support.
We like to mix up the musical genres and create a different experience every year, and 2026 is no exception. We will feature Adam Moss of the acclaimed Americana duo the Brother Brothers and guitarist, mandolinist and vocalist Sean Watkins of the Grammy winning Bluegrass trio, Nickel Creek. They will be joined by world class folk and Bluegrass musicians Maddie Witler, Chris Rolontz and Ellery Marshall.
Helping to celebrate our country's 250th anniversary we will be enjoying all things Americana - beer and hotdogs as well as delicious salads, a western gift shop, and maybe some Appalachian moonshine!
Individual Members receive one free ticket and Household Members get two. Members can bring guests for $100 each, but as membership is also $100, why don't you encourage your friends to become members themselves!
If you would like to attend and are not a member, sign up now and you will be able to access the tickets.
We would like to thank Altadena Rotary who are generously sponsoring this event. |
Dawn Digrius Smith - Major Gifts! |
Dawn Digrius Smith joined the Board of Melodia Mariposa in 2026 but has supported the organization for many years. As our Board member with special responsibility for Major Gifts, she will be in attendance at our upcoming Members Party on September 20th. If you are interested in making a larger contribution to our work, organizing regular giving or sponsoring an event, please seek her out!
But there is another type of gift Dawn can assist you with - one with a western theme!
After losing her home in the Eaton fire, Dawn opened Sunrise Meadow Farm, a brick-and-mortar shop in Redlands that sells vintage western wear, antiques, accessories, Native American jewelry, and western art and decor. The shop was born out of the ashes; but it was also inspired by the 35+ year collection of vintage western items Dawn lost in the fire.
Dawn will be showcasing some of her Western items at our Americana themed Members Party on September 20th. A percentage of all sales will go to support Melodia Mariposa.
Sunrise Meadow Farm is located at 23 S. 6th Street, Redlands, CA but also can be found online at www.sunrisemeadowfarm.com and on Instagram - @sunrisemeadow20.
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A joyful Outreach concert at Villa Gardens |
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| Marc Macisso performing at Villa Gardens |
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Marc Macisso returned to our Outreach concert circuit to bring his astonishing collection of instruments to the patients and residents of Villa Gardens —from harmonicas and saxophones to guitar and more - singing and playing beloved songs and familiar favorites. He is one of the top harmonica players in the world and was recently featured in the movie, Zootopia 2. The audience clapped and sang along to Marc’s performance - he brought a lot of joy to their Saturday afternoon! |
As a perk of Membership we often offer free tickets to local concerts. On August 29th we gave away tickets to the Pasadena Pops concert at the Arboretum. Our lucky winners all had a wonderful time and here are some photos of the fun.
As always, join our membership program to be told about future giveaways |
"Great music, wonderful friends and neighbors, and the stunning San Gabriel Mountains as our backdrop—what more could you ask for? Conductor Larry Blank was absolutely marvelous tonight! A special thank you to Melodia Mariposa for making this wonderful evening possible for me. So grateful!" L.W.
"I am so grateful to be part of the last concert this summer. Thank you for such a wonderful opportunity. We really enjoyed it!" U.S.R.
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Susan Hubert - Director of Volunteers |
Susan at our last Halloween driveway event in 2024 |
Susan leading the food prep for our Members Party in 2025 |
Susan Hubert is our Director of Volunteers. She coordinates our small dedicated team of super people who help make our concerts possible with catering, serving, checkin and ushering duties.
Susan was born and raised in Altadena and was an educator for 43 years, teaching music and religion. Since retirement, volunteering has become a passion, and she has deep relationships with the Cancer Support Community and the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden.
Music has always been a part of her life - her father was a singer and tap dancer, both her adult children are singers and her son plays guitar and performs in several local bands. Her eldest grandson is currently attending Los Angeles College of Music studying composition.
She was introduced to Melodia Mariposa when a friend invited her to one of Irina’s driveway concerts. She was struck with the professionalism of the musicians became an avid volunteer helping to support the organization and welcome new attendees and members.
In her own words:
"Melodia Mariposa is an organization founded on the love of music, and the desire to share excellent experiences of profoundly gifted musicians with lovers of music. This organization has reached the hearts of so many individuals
bringing joy, creativity, wonder and hope. I am honored to be a member and will continue to support Melodia Mariposa with my time, energy and membership."
Thank you to Susan and all her volunteers for your wonderful support! |
Update on our Summer Campaign |
Thanks to your wonderful generosity, we are getting close to our target of $2500 to rent two baby grand pianos for our Carnival of the Animals concert on October 4th. If you are still interested in helping us, please make a donation now. We are so grateful for all your help! |
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