Music Academy of the West Acquires Downtown Santa Barbara Property to Launch Music Education Center
Made Possible by Historic $20 Million Gift from Cheryl Goldberg Honoring Late Husband Michael Goldberg
New downtown Music Education Center will expand access to music education, foster year-round artistic innovation, and serve as a cultural anchor in Santa Barbara—strengthening community connection and shaping the future of the performing arts.
(Santa Barbara, CA) —The Music Academy of the West has acquired 901 State Street—a signature property on the corner of State and Canon Perdido Streets in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara—with plans to transform it into a dynamic new hub for music education and community engagement.
This visionary project is made possible by a landmark commitment of $20 million from Cheryl Goldberg, Founding Contributor to the Music Academy’s Music Education Center—a testament to bold philanthropy in honor of her late husband, Michael Goldberg, a distinguished former executive of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Their remarkable generosity reflects a deeply held belief in music’s power to unite communities, elevate spirits, and enrich lives across generations.
As the Academy approaches its 80th anniversary, this downtown expansion represents a pivotal moment in both the institution’s evolution and Santa Barbara’s history. The Music Education Center will serve as a creative anchor complementing the Academy’s storied Montecito campus, creating a year-round destination for concerts, educational programs, and community gatherings while catalyzing the revitalization of the Santa Barbara Arts District.
“We are profoundly grateful to Cheryl Goldberg for bringing this vision to life. This center represents a bold investment in Santa Barbara’s vibrant cultural landscape. By establishing a permanent downtown presence, we’re deepening our roots and ensuring that the transformative power of music reaches every corner of our city.”
The Goldbergs relocated from Omaha, Nebraska to Santa Barbara in 2002, intending to make it their permanent home. This gift reflects their deep commitment to strengthening the cultural fabric of their adopted hometown and expanding access to arts and education for future generations.
“On behalf of our Board of Directors and the Music Academy, I want to express our gratitude to Cheryl Goldberg for this extraordinary act of generosity,” said Danner Schefler, Chair of the Music Academy Board of Directors. “Her gift creates a living memorial to Michael’s legacy—one that will inspire and benefit generations to come. This center ensures that their shared vision of community, excellence, and artistic expression will continue to shape the spirit and character of Santa Barbara.”
“This gift honors not only the Music Academy’s extraordinary mission and its desire to increase access to music education in Santa Barbara. It is also a tribute to the memory of my beloved husband, Michael, whose legacy lives on through the countless lives this center will touch.”
Michael Goldberg’s leadership at Berkshire Hathaway exemplified the same values of excellence and community impact that this gift represents. Warren Buffett, the company’s Chairman and CEO, in a statement reflecting on Michael’s legacy shared:
“Mike’s role at Berkshire was monumental. I had made many mistakes in staffing the insurance business and he not only corrected them—he single-handedly created the world’s best team. Berkshire would be nothing like it is today without Mike.”
The Music Academy of the West has long been a foundation of Santa Barbara’s identity, most notably through its renowned Summer Music Festival & School, which brings together 150 talented fellows from around the world for immersive training and 120+ public performances. The festival blends world-class orchestral and vocal instruction with dynamic programming, drawing thousands of attendees and shaping the next generation of music leaders. The 2025 Music Festival & School begins its public performances on Wednesday, June 18th and runs through August 9th.
When completed, the new downtown space will redefine what a Music Education Center can be by:
- Offering immersive, state-of-the-art rehearsal and performance facilities
- Hosting dynamic music education programs across all age groups
- Celebrating artistic innovation and collaboration
- Showcasing diverse musical voices and creative expressions
- Serving as the future home of the Academy’s Lehrer Vocal Institute and Sing! Program
“This is a defining moment for Santa Barbara’s future,” said Randy Rowse, Mayor of Santa Barbara. “The Music Academy’s commitment to establishing a downtown music center will create ripple effects for generations—energizing our historic core, attracting visitors and residents alike, and cementing our identity as a city where the arts don’t just survive, but flourish.”
About the 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.
Since 1947, the Music Academy of the West has flourished on its Miraflores campus in Montecito. Programs include its internationally renowned eight-week Summer Music Festival & School which trains up to 150 fellows ages 18-34 from across the globe, presenting more than 120 performances and events, competitions, and a fully staged opera. During the year, the Music Academy provides free music education to students grades 1-8 through its Sing! Program, a children’s choir that performs with local, national, and international partners; and produces the year-round Mariposa Concert Series featuring performances by Academy-affiliated artists. Learn more at musicacademy.org.
Media Contact
Kerry Allen
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Music Academy of the West
805‐895-9491
kallen@musicacademy.org
Kate Oberjat
Senior Director, Marketing & Communications
Music Academy of the West
805‐895-7908
koberjat@musicacademy.org