The Music Academy of the West has named mezzo-soprano Sun-Ly Pierce as the recipient of its 2026 Alumni Performance Award, sponsored by Kandy Budgor and the Luria/Budgor Family Foundation. As part of the award, the Academy will present Pierce in her Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall debut on April 15, 2027, featuring the world premiere of a commissioned song {…}
(Photo credit: Music Academy of the West) The Music Academy of the West announces its 2026 Summer Music Festival and School under the theme, “American Mosaic.” Here’s a look at the classical voice events. “Oh Beautiful: Songs from Home” features the Music Academy’s Lehrer Vocal Institute fellows performing art songs from their native land. Performance Date: July 1, 2026 The Lehrer {…}
The Music Academy of the West has announced two new artistic leadership appointments as the Santa Barbara-based organization prepares for its 80th Anniversary in 2027 and the opening of a downtown Music Education Center in 2028. Conor Hanick has been named Creative & Artistic Advisor, effective March 1, 2026, and Indigo Fischer has been appointed Vice President of Artistic Planning, {…}
The Music Academy of the West has announced its 2026 Board officers and the appointment of six new Board Directors. Board officers began their terms on Jan. 1, 2026, while new directors began service on Sept. 16, 2025. Returning for a second year as Board officers are Chair Danner Schefler, Vice Chair Susan Lichtenstein, and Secretary Daniel Dokos. “This is {…}
Music Academy of the West has announced a new summer festival structure for 2026. A major part of that change is the introduction of the 2026 Summer Music Festival & School, which runs from June 14 – August 8, 2026. The High School Intensive, which spotlights musicians ages 14-18, will run from June 14-25, followed by the Fellowship Institute from {…}
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 {…}