Music Academy Announces New Summer Festival Structure
Music Academy of the West Announces New Summer Festival Structure with High School Intensive & Fellowship Institute The 2026 Summer Music Festival & School opens with a new two-week High School Intensive for exceptional musicians ages 14–18, followed by the six-week Fellowship Institute for pre-professional musicians ages 18–34. September 24, 2025 (Santa Barbara, CA) — […]
Music Academy Announces Mariposa Concert Series 2025-26
Music Academy of the West Announces Mariposa Concert Series 2025-2026 One-of-a-kind intimate concerts and experiences showcasing world-renowned musicians and Music Academy alums this fall through spring 2026. SERIES TICKETS ON SALE NOW August 8, 2025 (Santa Barbara, CA) — The Music Academy of the West proudly announces the 2025-2026 Mariposa Concert Series, a collection of intimate musical experiences held […]
Music Academy Celebrates 2025 Winners of Duo and Marilyn Horne Song competitions
Music Academy of the West Celebrates 2025 Winners of Duo Competition and Marilyn Horne Song Competition Winners to perform in recital at the Lobero Theatre on August 8 July 31, 2025 (Santa Barbara, CA) — The Music Academy of the West is proud to announce the winners of its two premier summer competitions: the Duo Competition and […]
Music Note Gala Raises $750,000 to Support Music Education
Music Academy of the West Music Note Gala Raises $750,000 to Support Music Education and Community Engagement Programs A memorable, sold out evening on the Montecito Club’s Upper Lawn featured Grammy Award-winner Chris Thile, the Academy Gala Orchestra, Daniela Candillari, and Sing! Children’s Choir (Santa Barbara, CA) —The Music Academy of the West, now in its […]
Winner of 2025 Solo Piano Concerto Competition Announced
Music Academy of the West Announces Winner of 2025 Solo Piano Concerto Competition Min Joo Yi Earns Spotlight Performance in Santa Barbara Symphony’s January 2026 Beethoven Piano Concerto Marathon FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Santa Barbara, CA) —The Music Academy of the West is thrilled to announce that Min Joo Yi has been selected as the winner of the 2025 […]
Music Academy Acquires Downtown Property to Launch Music Education Center
Music Academy of the West Acquires Downtown Santa Barbara Property to Launch Music Education Center Made Possible by Historic $20 Million Gift from Cheryl Goldberg Honoring Late Husband Michael Goldberg New downtown Music Education Center will expand access to music education, foster year-round artistic innovation, and serve as a cultural anchor in Santa Barbara—strengthening community […]
The Music Academy Presents 2025 Music Note Gala
An Evening of Inspiration Under the Stars to Support Music Education For the first time, the Music Note Gala will be hosted on the breathtaking Upper Lawn of the Montecito Club, with Grammy Award-winning musician Chris Thile headlining the benefit event on Friday, July 11. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Santa Barbara, CA) — The Music Academy […]
Jun Kaneko’s Monumental Sculpture Arrives at the Music Academy
Jun Kaneko’s Monumental Sculpture Arrives for Music Academy’s PercussionFest and the Groundbreaking Orchestral Work, Sculptures The Music Academy of the West is proud to welcome Untitled, Head, a monumental sculpture by internationally acclaimed artist Jun Kaneko, now installed on the Academy’s Fé Bland Plaza. Standing 13 feet tall and weighing nearly 2,000 pounds, the cast […]
Music Academy Names Nicholas Walls as Chief Advancement Officer
Music Academy of the West Names Nicholas Walls as Chief Advancement Officer FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 27, 2025 (Santa Barbara, CA) — The Music Academy of the West is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicholas Walls as Chief Advancement Officer. He brings a wealth of experience in philanthropy and strategic fundraising, having led transformative […]
Music Academy of the West announces 2025 Summer Music Festival & School
The annual 8-week Festival is your Soundtrack to Summer, June 15–August 9 in Santa Barbara Individual tickets go on sale May 1 Anthony Parnther, Jeremy Denk, Randall Goosby, Takács Quartet, Andy Akiho, inti figgis-vizueta, Chris Thile, Christine Goerke The Music Academy of the West, now in its 78th season, offers an unparalleled blend of world-class performances and […]
Music Academy Announces Recipient of the 2025 Alumni Performance Award
Music Academy of the West Announces Recipient of the Alumni Performance Award, sponsored by the Luria/Budgor Family Foundation Open to all Music Academy alumni, the award supports an emerging Music Academy alum in their professional pursuits as a performing artist. The recipient of the 2025 APA is clarinet alum Gerbrich Meijer (‘20, ‘21, ‘22), who […]
Music Academy Announces 2025 Board Officers, Directors
Music Academy of the West Announces 2025 Board Officers, Directors, and Honors Retiring Members FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Santa Barbara, CA) – The Music Academy of the West, now in its 78th season, proudly announces its 2025 Board officers and welcomes four new members of the community to the board. This remarkable group will help grow the […]
Jeremy Denk to Perform Beethoven’s Transcendent Piano Sonata No. 31
Music Academy announces the 2024-25 Mariposa Concert Series
One-of-a-kind intimate concerts and experiences showcasing world-renowned musicians and Music Academy alums this fall through spring 2025. “African Queens” opens the series on October 5 in Hahn Hall featuring soprano Karen Slack and pianist Kevin Miller. Tickets On Sale September 4 The Music Academy of the West proudly announces the 2024-25 Mariposa Concert Series, a […]
Announcing the 2024 Summer Festival Competition Winners
The Music Academy of the West announces the Winners of the 2024 Summer Festival’s Solo Piano, Duo, and Marilyn Horne Song Competitions (August 4, 2024, Santa Barbara, California) – The 2024 Summer Music Festival, which took place from June 12 through August 3 at the Music Academy’s idyllic campus — and throughout the stunning setting […]
Music Academy Elects New Board Members: Andrea Hein and Harrison Bains, Jr.
The Music Academy of the West recently elected two distinguished community leaders to its Board of Directors: Montecito residents Andrea Hein, a retired entertainment industry executive, and Harrison M. (Mac) Bains, Jr., a retired banking and finance executive. I am delighted to welcome two exceptional members of the Santa Barbara community to the Music Academy […]
Sing! Children’s Chorus with Young People’s Chorus of New York City
Music Academy of the West Presents Sing! Children’s Chorus with Young People’s Chorus of New York City July 28, 7 PM, Marjorie Luke Theatre The Music Academy’s Sing! Children’s Chorus joins the Young People’s Chorus of New York City (YPC) and YPC National in a joint concert taking place at the Marjorie Luke Theatre in Santa […]
2024 Alumni Enterprise Awardee Corin Lee
Announcing Music Academy of the West 2024 Alumni Enterprise Awardee Corin Lee The annual award supports Music Academy alums in their professional pursuits of innovative projects The winning project revolutionizes how students learn music by integrating virtual reality with rehearsal sessions The Music Academy of the West, now in its 77th Summer Music Festival season […]
2024 Summer Festival Announcement
Music Academy of the West announces 2024 Summer Music Festival The annual 8-week Festival celebrates The Magic of Music June 12 – August 3 in Santa Barbara Tickets go on sale April 10 DOWNLOAD PDF Left to right: Anthony Parnther, Xian Zhang, Lawrence Brownlee, Joshua Bell, Jeremy Denk, Steven Isserlis, Leila Josefowicz, Timo Andres .The […]
Music Academy Launches the Alumni Performance Award
DOWNLOAD PDF Music Academy of the West announces the launch of the ALUMNI PERFORMANCE AWARD, sponsored by the Luria/Budgor Family Foundation Open to all alumni, the annual award will support an emerging Music Academy alum in their professional pursuits as a performing artist. The inaugural recipient of the award is solo piano alum Evan Shinners […]
Music Academy names Nate Bachhuber as Chief Artistic Officer
DOWNLOAD PDF Santa Barbara, California – Music Academy of the West is delighted to announce the appointment of Nate Bachhuber to the position of Chief Artistic Officer. Nate is recognized for his collaborative and strategic approach to artistic planning with prestigious performing arts organizations including the LA Phil, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and St. Louis Symphony […]
Music Academy Board of Directors Welcomes Incoming Members, Honors Retiring Members in 2024
DOWNLOAD PDF At the Music Academy of the West’s Annual Board Meeting in December 2023, three exceptional community leaders were elected to its Board of Directors: Montecito residents Susan Lichtenstein (retired, Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Hill-Rom Holdings), Kelly Teich (President, The Warner Group Architects), and Santa Barbara resident Tom Orlando (industrial property manager, former manufacturing executive). […]
Announcing the 2023 Competition Winners in Performance and Innovation
Winners of the Music Academy’s Solo Piano, Duo, and Song Competitions return in 2024 to perform commissioned premieres in recital. The Academy sends the 12 MAX (Music Academy Exchange) fellows to London this fall to perform with the London Symphony Orchestra. Winners of Alumni Enterprise and Fast Pitch Awards are recognized for their innovative endeavors. […]
Music Academy presents the Mariposa Series
The Music Academy presents the Mariposa Series: three concerts welcoming our community to Hahn Hall this fall. Launched in 2022, these homecoming concerts bring Music Academy alumni, teaching artists, and our community to Miraflores for an intimate recital experience. Post-concert receptions offered to meet the artists, including an introduction to new Music Academy President & […]
Music Academy Names Shauna Quill as New President and CEO
DOWNLOAD PDF The Music Academy is delighted to announce the appointment of Shauna Quill, current Executive Director of the New York Youth Symphony (NYYS), as its new President and CEO beginning November 1. Quill succeeds Scott Reed, who served in that capacity for 12 years. Quill joined NYYS as Executive Director in the fall of 2011, and leaves behind an enviable […]
SING! Children’s Choir of the Music Academy joins Young People’s Chorus of New York City July 23
The Music Academy’s SING! Children’s Choir and the renowned Young People’s Chorus of New York City (YPC) are excited to announce their joint concert, taking place at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. The much-anticipated performance will be held on Sunday, July 23 at 3 pm and promises to captivate audiences of all ages. Highlighting this exceptional collaboration is the world premiere of […]
Music Academy Announces Giacomo Puccini’s timeless opera La bohème
Giacomo Puccini’s timeless opera La bohème will be fully staged in a new production with principal opera conductor Daniela Candillari and director Mo Zhou Original setting of 2011, Brooklyn, New York, during the Occupy Wall Street movement The Music Academy, currently in week four of its 76th annual Summer Festival, presents a timeless classic opera in a […]
2023 Summer Festival Announcement
Music Academy’s 2023 Summer Season Announced: Eight Weeks of Live Events in Scenic Santa Barbara (June 12–Aug 5) DOWNLOAD PDF Michelle Bradley headlines annual gala with Sing! children’s chorus June 3, preceding season opening Featured performers include Anthony McGill, Jeremy Denk, Ana María Martínez, Isabel Leonard, Augustin Hadelich, Elena Urioste, Sasha Cooke, Takács Quartet Stéphane Denève, Osmo […]
SING! Children’s Chorus joins Joyce DiDonato in EDEN on Tue, Jan 24
Celebrate the rebirth of the new year with a gift of hope. On Tue, Jan 24 at 7 pm, UCSB Arts & Lectures will present EDEN, a ravishing new theatrical tour de force from the world-renowned mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato featuring members of the Music Academy’s Sing! children’s chorus and the Baroque chamber orchestra il Pomo d‘Oro at the […]
Music Academy welcomes new Board Chair and 4 new members of the Board of Directors
As a compass for exceptional talent, not only for musicians, but for leaders, the Music Academy announces a new Board Chair and four new members of the Board of Directors. Maurice Singer, a Founding Principal of The Evergreen Advantage, a Real Estate Investment Trust, will take on the role of Board Chair. He is currently […]
Sasha Cooke and John Churchwell appointed Co-Directors of the Lehrer Vocal Institute
Mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke and pianist and vocal coach John Churchwell have been announced as the new Co-Directors of the Lehrer Vocal Institute at the Music Academy. They will lead the long-term planning for the Institute’s curriculum, performance, and teaching roster, and have already shaped a 2023 Summer Festival that coincides with the launch of their positions. This pair of […]
Music Academy sends 31 competition winners to London
The Music Academy sends a record number of exceptionally talented competition winners to London to perform with the London Symphony Orchestra In its largest global exchange year to date, the Music Academy will send 31 fellows to London this November as part of its 75th anniversary programming. The milestone year celebrations began with three performances […]
Introducing the Mariposa Concert Series
The Music Academy broadens its year-round scope of programs introducing the new Mariposa Series. Celebrating the 75th anniversary milestone year with performances by a Music Academy teaching artist and all-star alumni The Music Academy continues to innovate, adding new programming in its milestone 75th year. The new Mariposa Series welcomes Music Academy artists to return to Santa […]
Auxiliary changes name to be gender-inclusive
In a historic move, the Music Academy Auxiliary becomes the new name of a now gender-inclusive membership. The Auxiliary, 125 people strong and one of the most successful volunteer fundraising and community engaging groups in Santa Barbara, is now open to all. Mally ChakolaAuxiliary Governance Chair & Music Academy Board Member Read More Inclusiveness matters. […]
2022 Summer Festival Competition Winners Announced
16 Music Academy fellows win career-advancing opportunities + over $45,000 in prizes at the 75th Anniversary Summer School & Festival DOWNLOAD PDF Winners announced for 2022 Music Academy / London Symphony Orchestra Keston MAX program, Solo Piano, Duo, and Song Competitions, and the Fast Pitch Awards The Academy sends 10 2022 winners to London this […]
Keston MAX travel to London
Music Academy Goes Global The Academy is sending alums to London this week to perform with the London Symphony Orchestra in Keston MAX (Music Academy Exchange) Fellows will take part in two special events, a Gala Concert at St. Paul’s Cathedral with Sir Simon Rattle, and in a Relaxed Concert of chamber music at LSO […]
2022 Summer Festival Announcement
The Music Academy of the West announces its 75th Anniversary Summer Festival Metropolitan Opera star and alumna Isabel Leonard will return for a Signature Benefit event and to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award Mosher Guest Artists Augustin Hadelich, Jessie Montgomery, Susanna Phillips, and Sō Percussion will perform in concerts and train Academy fellows in […]
2022 Alumni Enterprise Awardees Announced
Revolutionary. Daring. Inspiring. The 75th Anniversary Alumni Enterprise Awardees The Academy’s Innovation Institute has awarded $75,000 to artistic projects originating from Miami, Bangkok, Austin, and Seattle/Reykjavík The Music Academy of the West has designated $75,000 in funding for four Alumni Enterprise Award projects as part of its 75th anniversary initiatives. These ventures have the potential […]
Music Academy presents first-ever Competition Winners Recital Series
Music Academy Celebrates its 75th Anniversary with Flagship Programs
The Music Academy of the West looks boldly to the future in this milestone year. Programming has expanded year-round for community, fellows, and alumni. Classically trained musicians are provided opportunities to unleash their creativity and connect with audiences onstage and offstage. “Inspired by the people who have been a part of the Academy’s history, we continue […]
Music Academy Board of Directors Appoints Seven Members
Sir Simon Rattle & London Symphony Orchestra Perform Three Programs in Santa Barbara
Music Academy announces appointment of Principal Opera Conductor
New SING! Director announced after a national search
Music Academy & Santa Barbara Symphony celebrate composer Jennifer Higdon
Music Academy launches 75th anniversary with LSO Residency in Santa Barbara
20 fellows won over $50,000 at the 2021 Summer School & Festival
2021 Summer Festival Brochure
2021 Summer Festival Announcement
Online Innovation Residential Launched Today
Music Academy Appoints Tracy K. Smith to National Advisory Council
Music Academy Summer Festival News
Music Academy welcomes volunteer leaders to Board of Directors
2021 Alumni Enterprise Award Winners Announced
anuncio de descarga en español Music Academy of the West Invests in Alumni Innovation 2021 Alumni Enterprise Award Winners Announced Six winners will receive $85,000 in grants that advance social entrepreneurship and seed the industry with new ideas and platforms Winning projects go global with multi-continent imprint, receiving robust creative support and mentorship from […]
Women’s Auxiliary welcomes new members for 2021
Ana Papakhian celebrated in new position of Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
Women’s Auxiliary presents all-new Online Fundraising Auction
Music Academy of the West Retirement
Casey Molino Dunn joins the Music Academy of the West administration
Entrepreneurship and professional development expert Casey Molino Dunn joins the Music Academy of the West administration As a Vice President, Mr. Molino Dunn will lead the Innovation Institute including Alumni Enterprise Awards, Innovation Residential, Fast Pitch Awards, and curriculum for Music Academy fellows Santa Barbara, CA — Music Academy of the West announces the appointment […]