Music Academy Women's Auxiliary
Taps Trio to Serve as May Madness Chairs
For Immediate Release January 21, 2010
Contact:
Tim Dougherty
805.695.7908
Santa Barbara, CA – The Women's Auxiliary of the Music Academy of the West has selected three members with substantial business and professional experience to organize this year's May Madness event, which will take place from 9 am to 3 pm May 8. Now in its 34th year, the massive yard and estate sale is a benefit for the Music Academy.
Serving as May Madness chairwomen this year are Holiday Vaill, Linda Ring, and Debbie Branch Geremia. A native of Los Angeles, Ms. Vaill attended both UCLA and UCSB before enjoying success in advertising and magazine publishing. A member of the Junior League, she is active with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and has served on the Santa Barbara Newcomers Executive Board. A graduate of Averett College, Ms. Ring worked in sales and marketing for firms including Kimberly Clark and MJB before retiring as corporate marketing manager for Manpower Inc.'s Northeast operations. An area resident since 2001, she has been active on both the Santa Barbara Newcomers Executive Board and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art Women's Board. A Chicago native, Ms. Geremia is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin. The former proprietor of The Tennis Shop of Montecito on Coast Village Road, she has lived in the area for 40 years.
"I couldn't be more pleased to have three such resourceful and accomplished women to oversee this year's May Madness planning. The event is certain to benefit from their extraordinary range of experience and expertise," said Women's Auxiliary President Meg DiNapoli. The Auxiliary is a volunteer organization that supports the Academy year-round.
Donations are being accepted for this year's May Madness. Sale items will include furniture, small appliances, kitchenware, fine linens, antiques, silver, crystal, china, rugs, art, hardcover books, board games, music and movies, electronics, luggage, jewelry, men's and women's clothing, and – new this year – cars. Contributed items should be clean and in good condition. Obsolete electronics and appliances will not be accepted.
Donations should be brought to the lower parking area (follow the signage upon entering the Music Academy campus at 1070 Fairway Road) on these days: Tuesdays and Thursdays, from February 9 through March 18; Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from March 23 through April 22; and Monday, April 26, through Friday, April 30.
Clothing donations should be brought directly to The Rack, the Music Academy's on-campus resale apparel shop. To arrange the pickup of large items, call 695-7912. Car donation information is available by calling 695-7915.
For more information, call 969-4726.
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. In 2009 the Music Academy partnered with the Granada Music & Arts Conservatory to launch Santa Barbara Strings, an innovative educational program designed to train and nurture local classical string musicians ages 4 to 18. 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 screening live performances by the world-renowned Metropolitan Opera at Hahn Hall in October 2008. For more information, visit www.musicacademy.org.
