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Summer Music Festival & School
- Perform and study in 8 weeks of concerts & masterclasses
- Learn from the top teaching artists in the field
- Create a lifelong network of exceptional artists
Sing!
- Free choral program for grades 1-9
- Foster a lifelong love for listening to and making music
- Admissions
Teaching Artists by Studio
1. Apply
Apply Here, Your life-changing experience at one of the top performance festivals in the country is waiting.
2. Attend
Get poured into by worldclass staff and teaching artists here in beautiful Santa Barbara, CA.
3. Connect
Create a lifelong network of exceptional artists.
4. Leave a Lasting Mark
We are focusted on cultivating artists of impact. What will yours be?
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Ticket Office
805-969-8787
ticketoffice@musicacademy.org
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805-565-5400Main Office
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Melissa Ruge
Lehrer Vocal Institute Production Director
Melissa Ruge is a seasoned opera production professional with over two decades of experience behind the scenes. As a dedicated Stage Manager and Assistant Stage Manager, she has worked with prestigious companies including Los Angeles Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, and many others. Her portfolio features major productions like Phelim McDermott’s Akhnaten and Barrie Kosky’s The Magic Flute. Melissa currently leads the production team at the Lehrer Vocal Institute, where she brings her deep expertise and passion for the craft to every project she manages. In addition to her role with Music Academy, she is a faculty member at CalArts, where she teaches Stage Management to both BFA and MFA students in the School of Theater. Melissa lives in Newbury Park, California where she is busy raising three young daughters, balancing her professional life with the joys and challenges of motherhood.