Hunter Named to Music Academy Board of Directors
For Immediate Release November 7, 2006
Contact:
Tim Dougherty
805.695.7908
Santa Barbara, CA-Nancy Hunter, a successful attorney with a distinguished record of serving charitable causes, has been named to the Board of Directors for the Music Academy of the West.
A native of Palos Verdes, California, Ms. Hunter earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Wellesley College before attending Harvard Law School and serving as a partner in the Los Angeles and Chicago offices of the firm Latham & Watkins, where she specialized in securities litigation and mergers and acquisitions.
The Montecito resident's charitable work has mainly involved scholarships and children. For a number of years she served as board chairwoman for both Frances Xavier Warde Schools, a pair of independent Catholic Schools in Chicago, and Children at the Crossroads Foundation, which provides scholarships for underprivileged children to attend Catholic schools.
Among her numerous pro bono cases, she represented handicapped students in Chicago against the public school board, halting efforts to cut funding to critical vocational programs. Ms. Hunter was named 1996 Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year by the state bar of Illinois for those efforts.
"I am delighted and honored to join the board of the Music Academy of the West," said Ms. Hunter, whose interest in classical music dates to her childhood experience as an accomplished pianist. "Since moving here, I have been very impressed by the Academy. Aside from its stellar educational offerings, it provides the local community with wonderful opportunities to hear and see amazing performances. I look forward to helping the Academy in its ongoing efforts to upgrade its facilities and continue to grow its education programs."
Founded in 1947, the Music Academy of the West is among the nation's preeminent summer schools and festivals for gifted young classical musicians. The Academy provides these promising musicians with the opportunity for advanced study and performance under the guidance of internationally renowned faculty artists, as well as guest conductors and soloists. Admission to the Academy is strictly merit based, and students receive full scholarships. Academy alumni are members of major symphony orchestras, chamber orchestras, ensembles, opera companies and university and conservatory faculties throughout the world. Many have established themselves as prominent solo artists. Based in Santa Barbara, the Music Academy of the West presents more than 175 public events annually, including student recitals, masterclasses, orchestra and chamber music concerts, and fully staged opera. For more information, visit www.musicacademy.org.
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