Carol Burnett and Marilyn Horne Coach Performers for Music Academy of the West CABARET Gala Tonight

Carol Burnett, America's beloved comedienne, is teaming up with legendary mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne at the Music Academy of the West this month for coaching sessions with the young vocalists who will headline this year's Cabaret gala on August 8, which benefits the Music Academy's full-scholarship program. Ms. Burnett, as the Academy's Cabaret Creative Contributor, and Ms. Horne, Voice Program Director, will instruct Music Academy Voice Fellows in the art of musical comedy, both in private classes and individually. The renowned Summer School and Festival, now in its 66th season, runs through August 10 in scenic Santa Barbara.

Ms. Burnett, a resident of nearby Montecito, joined Cabaret's artistic team for the first time last summer, which also marked the American icon's first foray into the classroom. "Working with the Academy's exceptionally talented Fellows last year was a wonderful experience," she stated. "I am very pleased to be contributing to this uniquely entertaining event once again." Ms. Horne concurred, "Cabaret will be better than ever!"

At the August 8 gala fundraiser, the Academy's gifted Voice Fellows will perform classical, Broadway, and pop favorites while patrons enjoy cocktails and fine dining under the stars. The director, Gerald Sternbach, will once again oversee the musical-revue-style production, which will take place at the DoubleTree Resort in Santa Barbara. Mr. Sternbach's extensive performance credits include serving as an award-winning music director as well as an accompanist for the likes of Ms. Burnett, Julie Andrews, and Kelsey Grammar. All proceeds from Cabaret directly benefit the Academy's full-scholarship training program and help to provide transformative educational experiences for the next generation of great classical musicians.

Ms. Burnett, who was recently announced as the 2013 awardee of the Kennedy Center's prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, will provide the Voice Fellows, along with Marilyn Horne and the Academy's voice faculty, with creative insights as they prepare for the show. "I'm thrilled to be part of this event, as I've also attended it in past years and have always come away impressed," continued Ms. Burnett. "I have long cherished musical comedy and am pleased to have the opportunity to share what I know about this true American art form with Music Academy Fellows."

Carol Burnett's unique comedic gifts have endeared her to legions of fans the world over, and her eponymous TV variety show has been hailed as a broadcasting landmark. Her numerous honors include 12 People's Choice Awards - more than any other actress - eight Golden Globes, six Emmy Awards, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She also has been inducted into the Television Hall of Fame. Ms. Burnett has penned New York Times bestsellers, This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection, her autobiography, One More Time, as well as a new memoir, Carrie and Me: A Mother-Daughter Love Story, which was released this past spring. Hollywood Arms, the play based on her autobiography that she co-wrote with her late daughter, Carrie Hamilton, premiered at Chicago's Goodman Theatre in April 2002. Ms. Burnett received her first Grammy nomination in 2010 for the audiobook version of This Time Together.

Born in San Antonio, Ms. Burnett attended UCLA before relocating to New York City, where she ultimately caught the attention of talent bookers from both The Jack Paar Show and The Ed Sullivan Show. She went on to become a permanent cast member on The Garry MooreShow from 1959 to 1962, garnering her first Emmy Award. After appearing with Julie Andrews in the Emmy-winning special Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall, CBS signed her to a 10-year contract. The Carol Burnett Show premiered on that network in September 1967 and ran for 11 years. Ms. Horne twice appeared on the program, the two stars having met in the early 1970s through actor and singer Jim Nabors. Ms. Burnett will receive her Mark Twain Prize at a Kennedy Center ceremony on October 20 that will be taped for a PBS-TV broadcast on October 30. As reported by the New York Times, Ms. Burnett stated, "I can't believe I'm getting a humor prize from the Kennedy Center. It's almost impossible to be funnier than the people in Washington."

Marilyn Horne has been called the "Star-Spangled Singer" and "the Heifetz of singers." In 2002, following a career that had seen her dominate her field for more than four decades, Opera News declared, "Marilyn Horne - whose face and song have been in the light - in so many places, in so many styles, through so many media, for so many years - may be the most influential singer in American history." In the words of esteemed KUSC commentator and host Jim Svejda, she is "America's greatest living singer." Ms. Horne's distinguished career has garnered her numerous honors, including a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award fromGramophone magazine. She was named a Kennedy Center Honoree in 1995, received the National Medal of Arts in 1992, and has been inducted into the American Classical Music and Hollywood Bowl halls of fame. She was named a National Endowment for the Arts Opera Honors recipient in 2009. Ms. Horne has performed in more than 1,300 recitals, made well over 100 recordings, and received three Grammy Awards. A recent release, Marilyn Horne - Just for the Record: The Golden Voice, is a retrospective of her career and includes classical songs, opera, and American standards. She assumed the Academy Voice Program directorship in 1997.

As resident music director of the company Reprise! Broadway's Best for six seasons, Gerald Sternbach earned nine Ovation Award nominations (winning in 2006) in addition to six Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle nominations (the organization honored him in 2007, 2008, and 2011) and three Garland Awards. He recently (update from 2012) helmed Nightmare Alley at the Geffen Playhouse and did a reading of the new musical Big Rosemary (directed and written by Blake Edwards). Mr. Sternbach made his Los Angeles Philharmonic debut at the Hollywood Bowl in 2005 as the onstage pianist for Stephen Sondheim's 75th birthday concert. His other credits include serving as associate conductor for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Merlin, and The Tap Dance Kid (all on Broadway), and conducting the national tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Song and Dance starring Melissa Manchester. Mr. Sternbach also served as onstage pianist for Carrie Fisher's one-woman show, Wishful Drinking, at the Geffen Playhouse, and has participated in numerous star-studded benefit events.

Founded in 1947 by a group of Southern California arts patrons and musicians that included Lotte Lehmann and Otto Klemperer, 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 recognized faculty artists, guest conductors and soloists. Admission to the Academy is strictly merit based, and Fellows receive full scholarships (tuition, room and board). 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 a fully staged opera.

Remaining highlights of the Music Academy's 2013 season include recitals by Mosher Guest Artists Jeremy Denk (July 17) and Midori (July 29, 31); the Academy's Marilyn Horne Song Competition (July 20); a new production of Mozart's The Magic Flute (Aug 2 & 4); as well as conducting turns by Leonard Slatkin (July 13), Nicholas McGegan (Aug 3), and James Gaffigan (Aug 10). Featuring the Academy's talented Fellows, together with illustrious guest performers and faculty, the events are being presented at the Academy's scenic Miraflores campus and in venues throughout Santa Barbara. The Music Academy's 66th anniversary Summer Festival concludes August 10.

A list of the Music Academy of the West's upcoming events can be found below, and further details are available on the web by visiting www.musicacademy.org.

Cabaret, the Music Academy's Signature Gala is set for tonight, August 8 (6 pm) in Santa Barbara, CA at the Double Tree Resort, featuring: Marilyn Horne, Voice Program Director, Carol Burnett, Cabaret Creative Contributor, Gerald Sternbach, Cabaret Director, and the 2013 Voice Program Fellows in classical, Broadway and pop favorites.

Table sponsorships: $5,000, $10,000, $15,000, and $25,000 levels. Individual tickets: $300, $500, and $1,000. All proceeds from Cabaret directly benefit the Academy's full-scholarship training program.

For more information, visit www.musicacademy.org/cabaret.

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