Isabel Dickinson

Isabel Dickinson was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California, playing the cello with the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony and attending the Music Academy Merit Program. Isabel attended college at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut where she received her bachelor’s degree in Music with a concentration in Ethnomusicology.  While in college, Isabel began working with arts organizations, writing grants and developing educational after school programs for middle and high school students.  After graduating, she moved to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to teach music at an international school and volunteer as an English teacher in elementary school classrooms. Isabel then moved to Seattle to work with the administration of the Seattle Symphony in marketing and ticket sales.  She later took a position in administration with the Santa Barbara Symphony working in marketing, education, administration, and operations. Back in Santa Barbara, Isabel Dickinson began as the cello coach for Santa Barbara Strings, assisted with the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony, and taught cello lessons. Isabel joined the Music Academy as the Interim Student Services Manager to support the 2016 and 2017 summer festivals and transitioned to the full time position in September 2017 through April 2023. Isabel’s interests include playing the cello, traveling, swimming, hiking, and enjoying the beautiful outdoors.