Music Academy of the West has acquired a downtown Santa Barbara Property which it intends to use to launch a Music Education Center. The acquisition was made possible thanks to a historic $20 million gift from Cheryl Goldberg in honor of her late husband, Michael Goldberg. “We are profoundly grateful to Cheryl Goldberg for bringing this vision to life,” said {…}
The Music Academy of the West has announced the appointment of Nicholas Walls as Chief Advancement Officer. Walls brings experience in philanthropy and strategic fundraising, having led transformative donor engagement initiatives with the Seattle Symphony, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and Seattle Opera. He will begin in his new position on March 31, and he will lead the Academy’s advancement efforts to {…}
Music Academy of the West has announced its 2025 summer season. Here is a rundown of the vocal performances on offer. Sasha Cooke headlines a Mozart and Ravel chamber music program alongside pianist Jeremy Denk and clarinetist Richie Hawley. Also performing on the concert is the Takács Quartet and cellist Julie Albers. Performance Date: June 26, 2025 Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” {…}
The Music Academy of the West has announced its 2025 Board officers and directors. The new Board officers are Danner Schefler (chair), Susan Lichtenstein (vice-chair), and Daniel Dokos (secretary). They are joined by Susan Berger, Todd Gerber, Pat Wadors, and Todd Yancey, MD, the new members of the Board of directors. Dianne Duva, Gamble Parks Douville, Ashley Hollister, Heejung Kim, {…}
The Music Academy of the West has announced new members to the board. The organization revealed that Andrea Hein and Harrison M. Bains, Jr. will join the leadership of the organization. Hein is a retired entertainment industry executive who worked for 15 years with Paramount and Viacom. She was also vice president of merchandising for MGM studios and began her {…}
The Music Academy of the West has unveiled its 2024 Summer Festival, which runs from June 12 – August 13, 2024. Here is a rundown of the vocal performances on offer. First up is the Marilyn Horne Song Competition Winners Recital featuring baritone Navasard Hakobyan and pianist Brian Cho. They will perform a world premiere by Joel Thompson, among other {…}
The Music Academy of the West has announced its 2022 festival. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be solely on vocal events. There will be an opening night showcasing the members of the Vocal Institute. Performance Date: June 16, 2022 Mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke will join forces with John Churchwell at Lobero Theatre for the world premiere of {…}
(Credit: Damjan Švarc) The Music Academy of the West has announced the appointment of Daniela Candillari as the new Principal Opera Conductor of the Summer Festival. Candillari has already engaged with the company by conducting the west coast premiere of Jennifer Higdon’s “Cold Mountain,” and led several works on a program of all contemporary vocal chamber music in 2021. In {…}
On September 13, 2021, Music Academy of the West released “Mirrorflores: A Cinematic Opera.” Directed by James Darrah and conducted by William Long, this video was filmed as part of the 2021 Summer School & Festival. The program features selections from composers such as Rameau, Handel, Purcell, Monteverdi, and Gluck. The filmed scenes will be performed by 2021 fellows, including {…}
(Credit: Eric Woolsey) Music Academy of the West has announced the winners of their 2021 Summer School & Festival, comprised of several competitions, masterclasses, and more, in support of young artist development. Instrumentalists of the Music Academy took part in the 2022 Keston MAX Exchange competition with the London Symphony Orchestra. Company musicians gave over 30 private lessons virtually to {…}
The Music Academy of the West has announced a residency of Beth Morrison Projects in Santa Barbara next year. From June 28 to July 25, the Academy’s students will work with BMP’s Executive Director Jecca Barry, Director of Production Brian Freeland, and President and Creative Producer Beth Morrison. Together they will produce a contemporary program of works, featuring “Vinkensport” by {…}
