The Southern California chamber ensemble Camerata Pacifica has cultivated a unique relationship with audiences, performing in a small group of venues in its home region. Camerata Pacifica was founded in 1990 by artistic director and flutist Adrian Spence, who remains its director. Spence personally selects the members of Camerata Pacifica, drawing them from the ranks of musicians around the world and focusing on their ability to add an individual voice to the ensemble. The group's mission statement states that it seeks "to affect positively how people experience live performances of classical music." An integral part of Camerata Pacifica's activities is its commissioning program, which has resulted in the completion and performance of 16 new works, with three more in development as of 2022. Some of these commissioned works have appeared on Camerata Pacifica's recordings, which include collections devoted to John Harbison and David Bruce.