Music Academy of the West Announces 2026 Board Officers, Directors, and Honors Retiring Members
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SANTA BARBARA — The Music Academy of the West proudly announces its 2026 Board officers and welcomes six members of the community to the board. This remarkable group will help grow the Music Academy’s mission to provide musicians and audiences alike with transformative music experiences through public performances and community programs. Board officers and members began their terms on January 1, 2026, and September 16, 2025, respectively.
Welcoming Returning Board Officers
We take great pride in announcing the Music Academy’s 2026 Board officers, now in their second year of service, whose guidance will help the Music Academy’s future. With their deep commitment to music education, they bring a wealth of expertise and a shared passion for the arts:
“This is a defining moment for the Music Academy of the West,” said Danner Schefler, Music Academy Board Chair. “With fresh perspectives, we are advancing bold ideas, expanding access to music education, and building for the future—especially as we expand into downtown Santa Barbara with the Academy’s Music Education Center—ensuring the Music Academy remains a vital cultural force in Santa Barbara and beyond.”
Introducing 2026 New Board Directors
We are delighted to introduce six outstanding individuals joining the Music Academy’s Board. Their varied experiences and perspectives will enrich our mission and strengthen our impact:
Robert (Bob) Boghosian, PhD, is a retired pharmaceutical and diagnostics executive who held senior leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson, Dade-Behring Diagnostics, Elan Pharmaceutical, and Beckman Instruments. A lifelong classical music enthusiast, he and his wife, Beth Gates Warren, have been active Compeers since 2018. They also sponsor the Music Academy’s String Quartet Seminar.
Returning to the Board is Janet Garufis, President and Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Montecito Bank & Trust. A respected industry and civic leader, she has served in national advisory roles within the banking sector and is actively involved with numerous Santa Barbara non-profit organizations, including the Santa Barbara Symphony and the UCSB Economic Forecast Project. She previously served on the Music Academy Board from 2016 – 2019 and has been a champion of the Music Academy’s Sing! Choir program since its inception.
Cheryl Goldberg is a technology executive and philanthropist with a strong commitment to music education and the arts. She is the Founding Contributor to the Music Academy of the West’s future Music Education Center, made possible through her transformative $20 million gift honoring the legacy of her late husband, Michael Goldberg, which will support the Music Academy’s mission for generations to come.
Charles (Charlie) Read is an attorney specializing in energy and public utilities, with extensive experience before state and federal regulatory agencies. A lifelong classical music enthusiast, he previously served on the boards of the Music Center and the Colburn School, both in Los Angeles, and is actively engaged in Santa Barbara’s cultural community.
Peter R. Taffae is retired insurance executive, most recently as Founder and Managing Partner of ExecutivePerils, Inc., which was sold to Goldman Sachs in 2022. A nationally recognized expert in executive and professional liability, Peter held senior positions and leadership roles at Marsh and Chubb. He currently serves on the boards of Simon Wiesenthal Center/Museum of Tolerance (Governance/Nominations and Audit), Ithaca College (Co-Chair Audit and Buildings/Grounds), Casa Dorinda (Operations and Marketing) and Taffae Family Foundation. Peter resides in Montecito, California.
Joost Thesseling is an investor with more than 30 years of experience in mergers & acquisitions and private company investing. He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SevenUnited Group, a Santa Barbara–based investment firm focused on investing in family and entrepreneur-owned companies and accelerating their growth. Joost has extensive corporate board experience and previously served on the board of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
The full roster and complete biographies of the Music Academy’s 2026 Board of Directors is available at musicacademy.org/board.
“Our Board plays an essential role in guiding the Music Academy,” said Shauna Quill, President and CEO of the Music Academy of the West. “As we welcome new members, we are energized by the experience and vision they bring—and deeply appreciative of the leaders whose service has positioned the Music Academy for its next phase of growth.”
Celebrating Outgoing Board Members
With heartfelt appreciation, we bid a warm farewell to our retiring Board members — Dean Eric Carter, Clive Chang, and Jerry Eberhardt, who collectively served 25 years on the Board. Each of these individuals has left an enduring mark on the Music Academy through their vision and dedication to the arts. Clive Chang will continue to support the Music Academy as a member of the Music Academy’s National Advisory Council.
About the Music Academy of the West
Located in Santa Barbara, the Music Academy of the West provides classically trained musicians and diverse audiences with transformative educational and performance experiences. As part of its annual Summer Music Festival & School, the Academy presents the Fellowship Institute, which trains up to 150 fellows ages 18–34, alongside the new High School Intensive, a two-week program for 105 gifted musicians ages 14–18. Year-round programs include Sing!, a youth choir that performs with local, national, and international partners; and the Mariposa Concert Series, featuring Academy-affiliated artists. Each summer, the Festival showcases more than 100 performances and events, including masterclasses, competitions, and a fully staged opera. The 2026 Summer Music Festival & School will run June 14–August 8, 2026. The Festival lineup will be unveiled in early 2026. Learn more at musicacademy.org.
High resolution photos available for download HERE
Press Contacts
Kerry Allen Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Music Academy of the West kallen@musicacademy.org 805?895-9491
Kate Oberjat Senior Director, Marketing & Communications
Music Academy of the West koberjat@musicacademy.org 805?895-7908
