Santa Barbara’s Granada Theatre welcomes Melody Ellison to its Board of Directors. A arts advocate and community leader, Ellison brings her experience in philanthropy, event curation, and youth-focused arts education, along with a passion for live performance, to the board.  

“For nearly three decades, Melody has been an integral part of the Santa Barbara arts community and has served on The Granada’s Legends Gala Committee for the past eight years,” said Palmer Jackson Jr., chair of The Granada and Granada Board of Directors.

“With her background and commitment to improving the theater and our community, we were thrilled to invite her to join The Granada Board,” Jackson said.

A lifelong connection to the arts began in Ellison’s childhood in San Francisco, where she was immersed in music, dance, theater, and creative writing as the daughter of a jazz musician.

This early exposure inspired a deep appreciation for live performance and cultural engagement that continues to shape her professional and philanthropic pursuits, The Granada said.

Ellison has been involved in Santa Barbara’s arts and education communities, contributing her time and expertise to organizations such as Opera Santa Barbara, Cate School, and The Granada Theatre’s Legends Gala, as well as youth and cultural programs.

Her leadership with The Granada includes co-chairing the 2026 Legends Gala alongside Susan Jackson. Most recently, she launched The Halo Group, a Santa Barbara-based public relations and event firm specializing in mission-driven organizations.

Through her agency, she develops and leads high-impact experiences and fundraising initiatives for nonprofits, foundations, and socially conscious organizations.

“Serving on the Legends Gala committee really deepened my appreciation for The Granada and its incredible role in sustaining live performance,” said Ellison. “Joining the board felt like a natural next step to support the Granada’s mission more deeply and help carry its vision forward.”

In her new role, Ellison will prioritize strengthening connections with donors, helping them see the impact of their support and bringing her creative new ideas to Granada events.

For more on the theater and upcoming shows, visit www.granadasb.org.