Brustin Named to Music Academy Board of Directors
For Immediate Release July 1, 2008
Contact:
Tim Dougherty
805.695.7908
Santa Barbara, CA – Michele Brustin, a former arts advocacy administrator who went on to become a successful television executive and producer, has been named to the Board of Directors for the Music Academy of the West.
Born in Baltimore, Ms. Brustin took piano lessons at Peabody Conservatory before graduating from the University of Maryland with bachelor's degrees in English and history. After serving for three years as a professional assistant for theater programs at the National Endowment for the Arts, she worked as an assistant to the executive director at the Brooklyn Academy of Music before being named executive director of the Performing Arts Association of New York State. She later served in the same capacity at the Illinois Arts Council for three years. From there, Ms. Brustin joined NBC as an associate, and over the next 10 years was rapidly promoted, ultimately serving as vice president of drama programs for six years under Grant Tinker and Brandon Tartikoff and as senior vice president for comedy programs for two years. She later worked as a producer affiliated with Universal and Scripps Howard Productions, where she also served as executive producer of programming, and as an independent producer.
Ms. Brustin, who has lived in Montecito for 18 years, the last four as a full-time resident, previously served on the Jefferson Awards Committee for Theater in Chicago and the board for UCLA's Royce Hall. Also a former member of the Los Angeles Music Center Educational Committee, she recently became an ambassador for the UCSB Arts and Lectures program.
"It is an honor to serve on the Board for the Music Academy of the West," said Ms. Brustin. "The Academy offers scholarships to world-class young musicians from around the globe, who in turn provide Santa Barbara with eight weeks of fabulous music each summer."
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 frequent 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 Fellows receive full scholarships (tuition, room, and board). Academy alumni are members of major symphony orchestras, chamber orchestras, ensembles, opera companies, and university and conservatory faculties throughout the world. Many enjoy careers as prominent solo artists. Based in Santa Barbara, the Music Academy of the West presents more than 200 public events annually, including performances by faculty, visiting artists, and Fellows; masterclasses; orchestra and chamber music concerts; and fully staged opera. The Music Academy will broadcast live performances by the world-renowned Metropolitan Opera at Hahn Hall beginning in October. For more information, visit www.musicacademy.org.
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