CoSA Newsletter

COSA Information Night

February 16, 2027 at 6pm

Coronado Performing Arts Center

650 D Avenue, Coronado

Coronado School of the Arts (CoSA) is San Diego County’s premier public school arts conservatory, home to 200 scholar artists grades 9 through 12, who attend the nationally ranked Coronado High School. CoSA provides an intense, pre-professional arts education to students from Coronado and from all over San Diego, who are admitted after a competitive application/audition process.

Each school day, CoSA offers approximately three hours of instruction, pairing young artists with educators who are also industry specialists. With a curriculum designed by professional artist/educators, students are immersed in their chosen specialty in one of six conservatories: Classical and Contemporary Dance, Digital Arts (Animation, Filmmaking and Graphic Design), Instrumental Music, Musical Theatre & Drama, Theatre Production, Design & Management and Visual Art. CoSA is a State of California-approved Career Technical Education program.

CoSA’s Classical and Contemporary Dance conservatory focuses on training in concert dance techniques—ballet and contemporary dance—and developing creative artistry and skills in choreography. The heart of the program is composition and improvisation, the experience of being a practicing artist. Students create their own work with guidance from the faculty by exploring diverse styles that are interesting to them.

Guest artists create or reset dances with CoSA’s dance students, giving them the opportunity to work from many different professional approaches. Students are provided with a spectrum of dance instruction that includes cultural styles from around the world, and ancient dance forms up to the latest trends in dance. Flamenco, hip hop, tap, jazz and many other styles have been included in various repertory pieces by faculty and student choreographers.

Academic studies include dance history, theory, criticism, nutrition and dance cultures of the world. Field trips and internships complement the classroom instruction, which takes place in one of two state-of-the art dance studios.

A key component of the conservatory program is assessment by a jury of faculty and professionals at the end of each semester. Each jury is aligned to the conservatory’s benchmarks for dance achievement (evidence of technical skills) and performance (both solo and ensemble). Students perform in two dance concerts each year on the Main Stage, as well as several other community events.

Photo courtesy of Doug McMinimy Photography and Kel Casey Photography.

APPLY TO CLASSICAL & CONTEMPORARY DANCE

Students accepted to CoSA’s Digital Arts conservatory focus on one of 3 strands:

• Graphic Design – computer imagery, typography, graphic arts, web design, and photography
• Filmmaking – using film to tell stories, events or news, from concept to screenwriting to production or broadcast
• Animation – computerized drawing, software manipulation, character and story development, production of an animated story

The Digital Arts four-year curriculum sequence includes not only design elements and principles of art, but also business skills, portfolio building, a senior project and internship opportunities. Classroom study is complemented by field trips and industry guest speakers. A key component of the conservatory experience is assessment by a jury of faculty and professionals at the end of each semester.

Classrooms are comprised of work stations with state-of-the-art Apple computers, a video broadcast studio, video-editing capabilities, and other equipment and technology to help students graduate from the program with industry standard qualifications.

Students have many opportunities to exhibit their work, both at school and in public festivals and events. DigArts' “Horror Nights” at Halloween has become an Islander tradition; and students exhibit at our annual Extravaganza Showcase and award show.

APPLY TO DIGITAL ARTS (ALL STRANDS)

The Instrumental Music conservatory emphasizes the study of classical and jazz music. Music professionals coach students weekly throughout the year.

Students receive intensive training in their chosen instrument(s) in wind, percussion, brass, jazz and string. Students study music theory (AP Music Theory is also offered), ear training, jazz theory and improvisation, electronic music skills, composition and orchestration. Classes are also offered in music history and culture, music technology and the music business. Students have access to a state-of-the art computerized music studio where students compose, arrange and record music. In addition to CoSA’s large music studio, there are several soundproof practice rooms. Students play piano, drums, violin, viola, cello, saxophone, electric guitar, tuba, trombone or any other instrument they desire to learn. As a music elective, they may also play in the Coronado High School Band.

Students are given many opportunities throughout the year to perform in front of audiences at recitals in the intimate space of the Black Box theatre. The instrumental music students are in high demand for holiday performances at public and private events in the community. The beginning and advanced jazz bands perform concerts over lunch break in the school library in the spring time. Students perform solo or as part of a chamber orchestra, ensemble or jazz band. A key component of the conservatory program is semester jury assessment by a team of faculty and music professionals. During these summative assessments student show evidence of performance skills. CoSA Instrumental Music students are passionate about their craft. Many go on to study music in college, or continue to perform as adults.

APPLY TO INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

Thank you to CoSA Tech for Making the Showcase Night Magic Happen!

CoSA’s Theatre Production, Design & Management students are some of the busiest high school students in Southern California! The Coronado Performing Arts Center at CHS, which opened in 2007 and received a $2 million upgrade in 2010, includes a 570-seat theatre complete with an orchestra pit and fly space, Vortek computerized lift system and computerized sound and lighting system, and a more intimate 80-seat Black Box theatre. Since 2020, CUSD, the City of Coronado, CoSA Foundation, Coronado Island Film Festival, Coronado Schools Foundation, and the Coronado Community Foundation collaborated to secure funds to update technology. This is an ongoing project that will support the broader community to a high quality experience when attending any event in The Coronado Performing Arts Center and will provide student learners updated technology experience.

The students in Theatre Production, Design and Management also known as "Technical Theatre Techies," study set design and build sets for CoSA productions in the fully-equipped scene shop. They learn elements of lighting design, as well as how to operate a complex computerized lighting system. They study costuming, make-up, sound design, and stage, box office, and house management. With over 70 theatre events annually, both for the school and for groups who rent our facilities, the students have ample opportunity for on-the-job work experience. Graduates of the program have been trained to problem solve, think on their feet and react to changing scenarios, and manage crews safely in fast-paced environments.

A key component of the conservatory experience is semester jury assessment by faculty and professionals. When possible, techies are taken on field trips to other stages and performance venues in southern California to broaden the depth of knowledge about their craft.

APPLY TO THEATRE PRODUCTION, DESIGN & MANAGEMENT

In CoSA’s award-winning Musical Theatre & Drama conservatory, students with a passion for performing receive in-depth training in acting, singing and dancing. They also study Theatre History from the Greeks to the present day, Shakespeare, Scene Study (scene analysis), Voice and Diction, Directing, Playwriting, Show Biz and AP Music Theory. Classroom curriculum is complemented by field trips and guest artists.

Students are given multiple opportunities to perform each year: CoSA’s fall and spring musicals draw large audiences from the community and San Diego, as does our winter play. Students can participate in the Musical Tour Group, where students sing and perform for community groups; REP Company, in which they create, write and direct their own scenes or the comedic, award-winning Improv group. Students are frequently asked to perform at local public and private events. A key component of the conservatory experience is semester jury assessments by faculty and professionals.

A sampling of plays CoSA has performed over the last few years include: Grease, Cabaret, The Addams Family, Pippin, Little Women, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Cry Baby, Footloose, Urinetown, As you Like It, All Shook Up, Catch Me If You Can, Legally Blonde, Chicago, Big Fish, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), Singin’ in the Rain, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Laramie Project, 42nd Street, The Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Grapes of Wrath and The Wedding Singer.

Grease photos courtesy of Kel Casey Photography www.kelcasey.com

APPLY TO MUSICAL THEATRE & DRAMA

Each student creates and develops their personal body of work, honing their technical skills as they produce their own extensive portfolio over the four-year course of study. They analyze and discuss art, including their own, in an inspiring artistic community. A variety of mediums are explored and students have a unique opportunity to engage in the creative process.

The Working Artist: The Skills to Sustain Creative Practices.

Students in CoSA’s Visual Art study the fundamentals of art, artistic voice, art business and life drawing using live models. In the study of art history, centuries of art up to and including contemporary artists are covered. Students develop perceptual skills and visual literacy.

Students exhibit their work at an annual spring Visual Art Exhibition at CoSA, and throughout the school year at various commercial establishments and public venues in Coronado.

A key component of the conservatory experience is semester jury assessment by faculty and arts professionals. Class curriculum is supported by field trips and guest artists (including live models) who come to enrich the classroom experience.

APPLY TO VISUAL ART

Coronado Performing Arts Center

650 D Avenue, Coronado

Apply Here @ cosasandiego.com

• Please note, the applicant's most recent Report Card and Attendance Record must be uploaded to the application online.
• Teacher Recommendations are required for Digital Arts, Visual Arts and Musical Theatre & Drama. Please send these to Ms. Deidra Smith ASAP.
• Applicants will receive their audition/interview invite email before March 8th.

Coronado Performing Arts Center

650 D Avenue, Coronado

Follow us on Social Media to see what all the students have been up to:

Instagram @cosasdofficial

Facebook: Coronado School of the Arts

Conservatories on Instagram

• CoSA Council Account @cosa.council

• Dig Arts @cosadigarts

• Dance @cosa.dance

• IM @cosa.instrumentalmusic

• MTD @cosamtd @cosa.grease

• Tech @cosatechnical

• Visual Arts @cosa.visual.arts

Coronado School of the Arts

650 D Avenue

Coronado, CA 92118

(619) 522-4050

Principal & Director of CoSA:

Karin Mellina

COSA Support Staff:

COSA Office Administrative Assistant, Deidre Smith

COSA Coordinator, Karrie Jackson

COSA Faculty:

Dance: Caryn Ipapo-Glass

Digital Arts: Animation/Graphic Design, Anna Woerman & Film, Michelle Evenson

Instrumental Music: Matt Heinecke

Musical Theatre & Drama: Barbara Wolf, Kim Strassburger, David McBean

Technical Theatre: Cynthia Bloodgood & Julie Lorenz

Visual Arts: Karrie Jackson

Plus our fabulous Consultants, Guest Artists, Live Models and Volunteers!

COSA Foundation Board of Directors:

President: Arlene Ventimiglia

Vice President: Linda Edison

Secretary: Kristina Quesada

Treasurer: Marnie Herndon

2026-2027 COSA Foundation Board Members:

COSA Director, Advisor to the Board: Karin Mellina

COSA Representative Liaison: Karrie Jackson

Student Representative: CoSA Council Vice President, Wendy Alcaraz

Volunteer Parent Liaison: Rebecca Villanueva

Social Media: Holly Peterson

Dawn Bright

Amber Truax

Reina Valdez

Rebecca Villanueva

Nadia. Mahalingam

Andrea Heinecke

Jennifer Vasquez

Paul Vasquez

Shannon Guths

COSA Foundation Staff:

Director of Development, Jenni Nesbitt

COSA Foundation Administrative Assistant, Erin Everett

COSA Council Student Leadership Team:

President, Emma Olson

Vice President, Wendy Alcaraz

Secretary, Danielle Elizabeth Mensah-Baah

Advisor, Karrie Jackson

Thank you to all our REPs from each of our 6 Conservatories!

And THANK YOU to all our working COSA Student Interns who collaborate on our Productions and Publicity! You are truly PROs!

COSA Graphic Design Interns: Carlos Goya Minvielle & & Jose Aguayo

Follow us on Social Media to see what all the students have been up to:

Instagram @cosasdofficial

Facebook: Coronado School of the Arts