On Thursday night, hundreds gathered to break ground on The Muse, a music hall and education center in the heart of Santa Barbara. The Music Academy of the West bought the building located at 901 State Street in June of last year, with the help from philanthropist and Music Academy Boardmember Cheryl Goldberg, who donated $20 million to the center.
Guests sipped champagne and listened to performances by baritone Byron J. Mayes — a graduate of Music Academy of the West — and Sing! Youth Choir, who performed on the staircase underneath the palm tree appliqué left behind from former tenant Forever 21…