Luria-Budgor Named to Music Academy Board of Directors
For Immediate Release December 7, 2006
Contact:
Tim Dougherty
805.695.7908
Santa Barbara, CA-Kandy Luria-Budgor, the president of a local development firm whose family has long supported the Music Academy of the West, has been appointed to the Academy's Board of Directors.
A native of Washington, D.C., Ms. Luria-Budgor assumed the leadership of Luria Development following the death of her father, Eli Luria, in March. Founded by Mr. Luria in the early 1950s, the company has constructed numerous homes and other buildings in Southern California. Luria Development also manages a portfolio of real estate investments, including office and apartment buildings in Santa Barbara. The company's philanthropic arm, the Luria Foundation, supports the Music Academy of the West and three other area nonprofit organizations.
Prior to her current role, Ms. Luria-Budgor enjoyed a successful two-decade career in real estate investment and sales in the Washington, D.C., area, partnering with her father on a series of property ventures over the last 10 years. After earning degrees from San Francisco State University and California State University at Hayward, Ms. Luria-Budgor worked as a licensed marriage, family and child counselor in Los Angeles for 10 years before settling on the East Coast.
She says she came to appreciate the Music Academy through her parents, both longtime Academy boosters. Her mother, Leatrice "Lee" Luria, recently received the honorary title of Emeritus Director in recognition of her efforts as a Music Academy board director, advocate and benefactor.
"I simply love everything about the Music Academy," said Ms. Luria-Budgor. "I am honored to serve on its board of directors and am excited at the prospect of helping to guide its future development."
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.
###
