Golden Notes

“The Music Note Gala was a stunning success.”

So said honoree Cheryl Goldberg – and “stunning” suited an evening of Broadway royalty, golden-hour cocktails and philanthropy at the spectacular Bella Vista Estate in Summerland, raising a record-breaking $1.2 million dollars for their music education and community outreach programs. 

The sold-out Music Academy of the West Music Note Gala unfolded against sweeping Pacific and Santa Ynez Mountain views, with sunset dinner, a paddle raise for music education and the glittering centerpiece: Audra McDonald. The record-breaking six-time Tony Award winner performed selections from the Great American Songbook with her trio, joined by the Sing! Children’s Choir.

Audra traveled far for this curtain call. Peter R. Taffae, who joined the Music Academy board a year ago, noted that she had flown in from Australia, where husband and Broadway star Will Swenson is starring as Neil Diamond in A Beautiful Noise in Melbourne, before heading on to NYC after the gala.

“Audra was amazing,” Peter said. “I think the most insightful thing about the Music Academy is the passion and the commitment of all who are involved in it. They attract the best of the best, and I feel honored to be associated with it.”

The evening also honored Cheryl, whose landmark founding contribution is helping create The Muse, the Academy’s new downtown Music Education Center at 901 State Street, scheduled to open in 2028. The gift honors her late husband, Michael Goldberg.

“The highlight was Audra McDonald, whose voice mesmerized us in the beautiful setting of the Bella Vista Estate,” Goldberg said. “And for me, the special treat was the miniature model of the Muse that was set up at the entrance to the event. It was very exciting to see what it will actually look like in 3D.”

The Gala supports full scholarships for Music Academy fellows and expanding community music education programs.

Helping orchestrate the evening were gala co-chairs Andrea Hein and Rachael Douglas; honorary chairs Cheryl Goldberg, Mally Chakola, and Casey Kallenbach; and committee members Michele Brustin, Dana Denton, Melody Ellison, Todd Gerber, Jenna Jobst Reichental, Cinny Kennard, Eileen White Read, Danner Schefler, Jill Taylor, Anne Towbes, and Todd Yancey.

From Australia to Bella Vista to Broadway – with The Muse waiting in the wings – the evening hit all the right notes.