Play It Again!
The Music Academy of the West wraps its festival season and looks to the future
Written by Joan Tapper
Photography by David Mendoza III
It was a grand night for singing when Audra McDonald—winner of multiple Tony, Grammy, and Emmy awards—took to the stage at the Music Academy of the West’s 2026 Music Note Gala on Friday, August 24. With her soaring soprano and charming personal asides, and backed by a jazzy trio that included her music director, Andy Einhorn, she wowed the audience with a playlist that ranged from “I Am What I Am,” “Summertime,” and “Make Someone Happy” to a heartfelt combo lullaby of “Children Will Listen” and “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught.” It was a joyful coda to a supremely successful 79th Summer Music Festival, which had ended a week earlier.
But the occasion also recognized the extraordinary generosity of Cheryl Goldberg, whose landmark $20 million gift for the Muse, MAW’s forthcoming downtown music education center, promises yearlong programming and ever more opportunities for talented youthful musicians. Goldberg, who made the donation in honor of her late husband, Mike, noted that she wanted to approach philanthopy in a new way: “Give big, make a big impact, and think outside the box,” she has said.
“Cheryl believed in the Muse before there was anything to see,” said Shauna Quill, president and CEO of MAW. “This is our chance to say thank you.”
It was also a chance for some 450 patrons to enjoy a delightfully breezy evening on the expansive polo field at the Bella Vista estate in Summerland, where the gala began with tastes of Royal Daurenki caviar from Petrossian, flutes of Champagne or signature cocktails, and passed hors d’oeuvres catered by Seasons. A scale model of the Muse’s innovative architecture—the work of architect Lawrence Scarpa of Brooks Scarpa Huber—offered a tantalizing glimpse of what will be performing spaces, rehearsal halls, and facilities for MAW’s Vocal Institute and its children’s Sing! program.
After the sit-down dinner, auctioneer Jim Nye conducted a spirited paddle raise that contributed to the record $1.2 million that the fundraiser brought in to support the festival’s scholarships, masterclasses, community tickets, and more.
As Audra McDonald ended her concert with the inspiring “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” accompanied by 10 members of Sing!, you couldn’t help but be assured that the fellows and teachers of the Music Academy will be scaling new heights, not only during next year’s 80th anniversary season but also for decades to come.
