History

 

In 1996 Dana Wilson, a young Suzuki teacher at Del Mar College, had a dream.  She envisioned a music school for Corpus Christi which would offer lessons for students from all economic levels.  She wanted to pattern it after the opportunities offered at the 47th Street Y in Manhattan.  This School provided music lessons and education, on a sliding scale, according to the parents’ ability to pay.  Parents sitting in the waiting room would include Wall Street executives, sales ladies, plumbers and maids who cared for the houses of the more affluent.  She wanted the joy of music to bring together students and families of all economic and ethnic backgrounds without prejudice.  

 

A Board of Directors was selected and the Coastal Bend School of the Arts was founded.  It began with a Suzuki program housed at Del Mar College.  In 2006 Sunshine Melodies Camp became a part of CBSA, having camp at Parkway Presbyterian Church.  In 2014, the camp has achieved the goals of the founder, Dana Wilson.  We had students from several ethnic groups, students from Brazil as well as the United States,  and all economic levels in attendance.  A total of $1580 was awarded as scholarships to students from these diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.