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In this interview, Noozhawk spoke with Nicholas Walls, Chief Advancement Officer at Music Academy of the West, to learn more about the nonprofit’s vision of provide classically trained musicians and diverse audiences with transformative educational and performance experiences.
Music Academy of the West
Question: What is the name of your nonprofit, and what is its mission?
Answer: 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.
Question: What motivated the creation of your nonprofit?
Answer: The Music Academy of the West was launched in 1946 out of a critical need and a bold vision. A dedicated group of Southern California art patrons and celebrated musicians recognized an opportunity to cultivate world-class musical talent closer to home. They proposed creating a premier music school on the West Coast, as nothing of the sort existed at the time. They chose Santa Barbara—close enough to leverage the cultural resources of Los Angeles, yet geographically distinct enough to develop its own unique identity. With the crucial support of retired Metropolitan Opera star Lotte Lehmann, the Music Academy of the West was officially born.
Question: How is your nonprofit primarily funded, and what are its biggest needs right now?
Answer: The Music Academy of the West is primarily funded through philanthropy, with more than 85% of our annual budget supported by donor contributions. This strong base of giving enables us to provide full scholarships to every Fellow and ensures that the vast majority of our resources are invested directly in mission-driven artistic and educational work.
Donor support at this stage has a direct and meaningful impact—helping us finish the year strong and continue delivering transformative training for young musicians as well as accessible musical experiences for the Santa Barbara community.
Question: How do you allocate your funding to support your mission?
Answer: At the Music Academy of the West, more than 85% of our annual budget comes from philanthropic sources, allowing us to direct the vast majority of our resources toward mission-driven work. This includes offering full scholarships to every musician in our Summer Music Festival Fellowship Institute, covering tuition, housing, meals, instruction, and performance opportunities. Our expenses are intentionally weighted toward programs, faculty, and educational experiences that directly advance young artists’ development and expand community access to music.
Philanthropy also sustains tuition-free initiatives like our Sing! children’s choir and supports year-round performances that engage audiences across Santa Barbara. In addition, our endowment provides long-term stability by generating annual support while preserving principal for the future. In every aspect of our budget, we prioritize investments that deliver meaningful artistic impact, educational excellence, and broad community benefit.
Question: What types of events or programs do you run to engage your community and raise funds?
Answer: The scope of events at the Music Academy is broad and deeply rooted in community engagement. While our eight-week Summer Music Festival & School is our hallmark program, our impact extends far beyond the season.
Each summer, we present nearly 120 concerts, events, and masterclasses. Public masterclasses offer an accessible window into the Academy’s educational mission, as world-class teachers coach our remarkable young fellows. Performances—from orchestral concerts at The Granada Theatre and chamber music in Hahn Hall to family programs at the Lobero Theatre and free concerts at the Plaza del Mar Bandshell—welcome audiences of all ages and levels of experience.
Year-round, the Mariposa Concert Series keeps our community connected while providing meaningful performance opportunities for Academy alumni and teaching artists, reflecting our commitment to supporting artists throughout their careers.
Philanthropy sustains all of this work. Our annual summer Gala and smaller events throughout the year raise essential support and deepen connections between donors and the artistry they make possible.
Every program is designed with intention—to inspire, to welcome, and to ensure the Music Academy thrives for generations to come.
Question: How is your team structured? Have there been any major changes in your operations since you started?
Answer: The Music Academy of the West is overseen by an Executive Board composed of community members and supporters. Daily operations are managed by a dedicated team of 25 full-time staff. During the summer, the staff grows to over 100 to support the eight-week Summer Festival, which includes teaching artists, conductors, residential directors, and other support staff. The Academy’s programming continues to evolve, with the introduction of the year-round Sing! program and a new summer High School Intensive beginning in 2026.
Question: How can people get involved with your nonprofit or volunteer?
Answer: There are many meaningful ways to get involved with the Music Academy of the West. You can serve as a volunteer usher, helping to create memorable experiences at more than 130 performances each year. During our Summer Festival, community members can also join our unique Compeer Program, which pairs each fellow with a local ambassador family, couple, or individual. Compeers attend their fellows’ concerts and masterclasses, serving as their personal “cheer section” and often forming lasting connections.
For those seeking seasonal employment, the Academy hires paid seasonal staff each Summer across marketing, the box office, facilities, advancement, and artistic/production, offering an exciting behind-the-scenes role in a world-class festival.
Our work is also strengthened by a dedicated volunteer board whose expertise helps the Academy thrive year-round.
Question: What sets your nonprofit apart from similar organizations?
Answer: The Music Academy of the West is a one-of-a-kind institution on the West Coast. As one of the nation’s premier institutes for emerging classical musicians, we offer an intensive Summer Festival & School where every fellow is selected through a highly competitive, merit-based process — and every one attends on a full scholarship. This ensures that talent, not financial circumstance, opens the door to world-class training and opportunity.
The Academy’s Sing! program, a children’s chorus serving more than 260 students from across southern Santa Barbara County, is offered entirely free of charge, making high-level music education accessible to young people who might not otherwise have the opportunity.
Whether training the next great generation of classical music stars or inspiring the next generation through Sing!, Music Academy is dedicated to creating opportunities for emerging musicians.
Question: Could you share a story or two about individuals whose lives have been positively impacted by your organization?
Answer: A wonderful recent success story comes by way of percussion teaching artist Mike Werner, who is the Principal Percussionist with the Seattle Symphony. Mike, a Music Academy alum and longtime head of the Academy’s Percussion Studio, shared with us the story of Luca Esposito, a percussion alum from 2019. It was only because of the Academy’s full scholarship program that Luca was able to attend the Summer Festival, as he would normally work in his family’s pizza parlor during the summertime to save money.
All the fellows are tremendously grateful for this program, but Luca was always especially appreciative of the opportunity, mentioning often that he would not be able to come to Music Academy without the full scholarship, and that “it made a summer full of dreams become a reality.” Mike told us excitedly that Luca recently won the Principal Percussion position with the New Jersey Symphony, and Luca credits his friendship with Mike and his summer at Music Academy as a stepping stone in his career and his growth as a musician.
Question: Can you highlight one immediate goal and one long-term vision your nonprofit aims to achieve in the next year?
Answer: In 2026, the Music Academy will achieve a significant short-term goal with the inauguration of the High School Intensive. This all-new, unparalleled opportunity is designed for 105 exceptional musicians, ages 14–18. Over two immersive weeks in the spectacular coastal setting of Santa Barbara, participants will gain more than just technical mastery. They will develop a deeper understanding of the dedication and artistry required to pursue a professional career in music.
The Academy’s long-term vision centers on the full renovation and opening of the Music Education Center in downtown Santa Barbara. When completed, this new space will redefine what a music education center can be for the community. This state-of-the-art facility will serve multiple vital functions, including offering immersive, state-of-the-art rehearsal and performance facilities, hosting dynamic music education programs across all age groups, serving as the future home of the Academy’s Lehrer Vocal Institute and Sing! program, and acting as a vibrant hub for the community, celebrating artistic innovation, collaboration, and showcasing diverse musical voices and creative expressions.
The successful opening of the Music Education Center will fundamentally expand the Academy’s capacity, securing its future as a comprehensive educational resource for both emerging artists and the Santa Barbara community.
Click here to support Music Academy of the West’s mission to provide classically trained musicians and diverse audiences with transformative educational and performance experiences.
Check out Noozhawk’s Guide to Giving for a full list of nonprofits to donate to this giving season.
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