Music Academy of the West Music Note Gala Raises $750,000 to support music education and community engagement programs

SANTA BARBARA — The Music Academy of the West, now in its 78th season, hosted its annual gala on Saturday, July 11, raising $750,000 in support of its mission to advance transformative musical education and foster meaningful community through music. This year marked the debut of the Music Note Gala, a dazzling new celebration held on the breathtaking Upper Lawn of the Montecito Club. The sold out event hosted 410 passionate supporters of the arts under the stars for an inspiring evening of philanthropy, celebration, and extraordinary music.

Thanks to the generosity of Gala attendees — through paddle raises, auction bids, a raffle, and heartfelt donations — the event surpassed fundraising goals, reinforcing the critical role the Gala plays in sustaining the Music Academy’s year-round impact.

Proceeds from the evening will fund the full scholarship program for the 150 young musicians from around the world participating in the Academy’s Summer Music Festival & School. Gala support also benefits the Academy’s Sing!children’s choir — offered tuition-free to over 260 local students — and helps provide Community Access Tickets that welcome broader audiences to concerts throughout the year.

Gala guests enjoyed panoramic views of the coastline, signature cocktails, and a gourmet al fresco dinner curated by the Montecito Club, followed by dessert alongside Music Academy teaching artists. The musical centerpiece of the evening featured Grammy Award-winning mandolinist and MacArthur “Genius” Grant recipient Chris Thile, performing alongside the Academy Gala Orchestra led by Daniela Candillari, with a guest appearance by the Sing! children’s choir. The concert offered a genre-defying journey from Bach to Bluegrass, highlighting the boundless versatility of Thile’s artistry. The evening’s program featured a vibrant mix of classical and contemporary works, including a selection from Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins, Caroline Shaw’s evocativeAnd So, and Julep and My Oh My by the Punch Brothers — featuring Chris Thile on mandolin and a special appearance by the Music Academy’s Sing! children’s choir.

“Music Academy of the West trains and inspires young artists through its full-scholarship Summer Music Festival & School and the Sing! Children’s choir,” said Shauna Quill, President & CEO of the Music Academy. “Music education transforms the lives of both our student musicians and the communities they serve throughout their careers. We are so grateful to our supporters for joining us at the Music Note Gala and investing in the next generation of young musicians.”

The Music Academy extends heartfelt thanks to the 2025 Music Note Gala Committee for their visionary leadership and support, notably the gala’s passionate co-chairs, MallyChakola and Casey Kallenbach.

2025 Music Note Gala Committee

Gala Co-Chairs
Mally Chakola
Casey Kallenbach

Honorary Members
Mindy Budgor
Connie M. Fickel
Belle Hahn
Lily Hahn Shining
Mary Ta

Committee Members
Leslie Bains
Rebecca Damavandi
Kathleen Eberhardt
Todd Gerber
Arlene Sommer Kolodziejski
Susannah Osley
Danner Schefler
Stephanie Shuman
Anne Towbes
Todd Yancey

About the Music Academy of the West

The mission of the Music Academy of the West is to provide classically trained musicians and diverse audiences with transformative educational and performance experiences. We support musicians to expand their talents, inspire each other, and pursue artistic innovation.

Since 1947, the Music Academy of the West has flourished on its Miraflores campus in Montecito. Programs include its internationally renowned eight-week Summer Music Festival & School which trains up to 150 fellows ages 18-34 from across the globe, presenting more than 120 performances and events, competitions, and a fully staged opera. During the year, the Music Academy provides free music education to students grades 1-8 through its Sing! Program, a children’s choir that performs with local, national, and international partners; and produces the year-round Mariposa Concert Series featuring performances by Academy-affiliated artists.  For more information about the Music Academy and to purchase tickets to the 2025 Summer Music Festival, visit musicacademy.org.