Author: Lola Ponce

Campus

Emergency Aid for DMC students

Lola Ponce

Del Mar distributed $104,500 in emergency aid to 340 students in 2023, according to Associate Vice President of Development Matthew Busby. With a recent change to the program, that number is expected to jump this year. Initially students applying for Emergency Aid needed minimum cumulative grade point average, or GPA, of 2.0 to 2.5. This has been removed. Now students, both new and returning, have the chance to apply and receive funds on a case-by-case basis. “We know students face crises that are unexpected, and, in that moment, they don’t have time to wait for FASFA. They need a quick…

Community

Austin’s 30th annual Powwow

Lola Ponce

On Nov 18, 2023 Austin held their 30th Annual Powwow at the Travis County Expo Center inviting more than 80 tribes from North and South America. Honoring traditions of the past and sharing them with the public, each and every person was invited.  With traditional dance, singers, and drummer contest attendees also enjoyed real Native American foods. 

Community

Silva family holds a, “Justice 4 Amethyst” event for upcoming anniversary of tragedy

Lola Ponce

As 2024 rolls in, for most this is a time to celebrate the new year. For the Silva family, it’s a reminder of their last moments spent with 11-year old Amethyst Sistine Silvia. Dec 31, 2022, started out like any other day. Father Robert Silva and Amethyst decided to spend the day together. “Me and her spent that day together, it was daddy daughter day. We went to Joe’s Crab Shack. She ordered her favorite plate – big ol’ plate of crab,” said Robert. As the family settled, midnight rolled around, Robert, mother Melinda and Amethyst decide to capture the…

Community

NASA club changes owners to former DMC student

Lola Ponce

Tony Colunga, owner of NASA, formerly known as Studio B, threw a last hurrah to announce his departure from owner status. Colunga passes the torch to his protégé and former DMC student, Joshua Miguel De Leon, who majored in Sound Recording Technology. “I met Josh playing a show on the sidewalk downtown. He was playing bass with The Blind Owls covering a Led Zeppelin song … They were rocking out! They messaged me on MySpace about playing at our venue,” Colunga said. Colunga’s plan for Studio B was to not only keep it low-key but also to book ‘strange original…

Campus

“A Music Mystery” written and directed by Raphael Rada set to play on Nov. 17

Lola Ponce

Fall would not be complete without “A Music Mystery,” written and directed by DMC faculty member Raphael Rada partnering with pianist Michael Steele. The show will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17 in Wolfe Recital Hall, 101 Baldwin Blvd. Admission is free. Rada has been teaching at Del Mar the past 15 years. “Singer’s Theatre is one of the music groups in the Music Department and we present a show at the end of the semester. The students sing selections from operas, operettas and musicals,” Rada said. Pianist Steele had his start at Del Mar as a rehearsal accompanist for…