A native of Mumbai, Saili Oak began studying music at the age of 3. A finalist on the popular reality TV series “Zee Marathi SaReGaMaPa,” Oak is a senior disciple of Dr. Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, a leading vocalist of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana. Oak won the All India Classical music competition when she was barely 17. She completed her Sangeet Visharard from the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal and has earned awards including the prestigious Pt. Jasraj Yuva Award, Pt Vasantrao Deshpande Yuva Award, and the Gaanwardhan Award. Her performances have been admired for her meticulous architecture of ‘khayal,’ her systematic and well-crafted raga exploration and impressive command over the ‘laya.’

Oak is also known for her distinguished work in the Indian/Western Classical music crossover space. She has performed with notable western music ensembles including the Albany Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Tonality choir, Salastina Music Society. She has been featured on several albums including ‘Beyond’, ‘American Mirro’, ‘Sing about it’ and ‘KALA’.

Oak serves at the Programs Director of a non-profit organization ‘Shastra’, where she co-hosts the “Composing with Indian Voice’ annual workshop in the U.S., and “Raga Meets Symphony” in Inida. She is also a Vocal Mentor for the non-profit organization Street Symphony in Los Angeles.

A passionate educator, Oak maintains a vocal studio ‘SailiMusic’ where she trains the next generation of upcoming artists and is a frequent guest speaker, panelist and workshop participant at conferences and universities across America. She has presented her work at the Composition in Asia Conference at the University of South Florida, taught master classes at the Salem State University, Smith College in Northampton MA, Kaufmann Music Center NY, and the University of Texas at Austin.

Apart from her musical training, Oak also holds a Master’s degree in Accountancy and has completed the Chartered Financial Analyst Program by the CFA Institute, USA.