Sophia Bell Named Campus Stores Manager
For Immediate Release September 9, 2009
Contact:
Tim Dougherty
805.695.7908
Santa Barbara, CA – Sophia Bell, a former Miss USA finalist and model with extensive retail experience in the region, has been named Campus Stores Manager at the Music Academy of the West. Ms. Bell will manage the Rack and the Treasure House, the venerable resale shops located on the grounds of the Music Academy.
Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Ms. Bell was crowned Miss Tulsa in 1982 and Miss Oklahoma two years later before finishing among the top 10 in the 1985 Miss USA pageant. Following a successful 10-year stint as a model that saw her travel throughout the United States and abroad, she worked as a recruiter and makeup artist for Clinique and Estée Lauder in Los Angeles for a combined six years before moving to Nordstrom's, where she served as a department manager in both Los Angeles and Santa Barbara for eight years.
A resident of Goleta for eight years, Ms. Bell is actively involved with Athletes for Life, the nonprofit group founded by her husband, former NFL running back Greg Bell. She has also supported Cedar Sinai Sports Spectacular and United Way of Santa Barbara County.
The Rack offers fine-quality resale apparel, including designer clothing, jewelry, shoes, handbags, and accessories. The Treasure House offers an abundant trove of distinctive antiques, china, silver, linens, furniture, paintings, and accessories for the home. Proceeds from sales benefit the Music Academy. The shops are open from noon to 3 pm, Tuesdays through Saturdays.
"I am excited at the prospect of managing these charming shops and becoming a part of the Music Academy experience," said Ms. Bell.
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, 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 began broadcasting live performances by the world-renowned Metropolitan Opera at Hahn Hall in October 2008. For more information, visit www.musicacademy.org.
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