Holt Re-Elected as Women's Auxiliary Chair
For Immediate Release August 26, 2008
Contact:
Tim Dougherty
805.695.7908
Santa Barbara, CA – Nan Holt, a former teacher and director of Britannica Learning Center in Los Angeles, was recently re-elected as chairperson of the Women's Auxiliary of the Music Academy of the West. The position enables her to serve as a Music Academy Board director for the duration of her one-year term as Women's Auxiliary chair.
Born in Chicago, Ms. Holt graduated from the University of Michigan and went on to teach in Illinois before moving to California. She later taught at the Britannica Learning Centers in Torrance and Los Angeles, serving as director of the latter between 1981 and 1991.
Ms. Holt previously served as vice-chairperson of the Women's Auxiliary of the Music Academy, and has participated in the Academy's Compeer program, which pairs Academy Fellows with Music Academy donors and other Santa Barbara community members for informal socializing throughout the eight-week Summer School and Festival. She also supports the Santa Barbara Quire of Voyces. This is her second term as chairperson of the Women's Auxiliary.
Other Women's Auxiliary executive officers for 2008-2009 are Judy Mack (vice chairperson), Marie-Paul Hajdu (recording secretary), Joann Rodrigue (corresponding secretary), Debbie Geremia (treasurer), Joan Rocco (assistant treasurer), and Carol Schleck and Julie Morrow (ways & means co-chairs).
The Women's Auxiliary of the Music Academy of the West is a year-round volunteer organization that supports the Academy in several ways. During the Summer Festival, members serve as volunteer ushers for selected masterclasses. The group also produces two fundraising events each year, and staffs The Rack, an on-campus resale clothing shop, and The Treasure House, an on-campus shop for quality antiques and home furnishings. Proceeds from sales benefit the Music Academy.
"Chairing the Women's Auxiliary is exciting and rewarding. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to further the careers of talented young musicians and to work with such dedicated and extraordinarily capable women," said Ms. Holt.
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.
