Our Mission

Our mission is to build community and excellence within the marching arts in California’s Coachella Valley and surrounding desert communities by providing accessible performing opportunities. We cultivate artistic growth, inclusive participation, and lasting connections through high-quality education, mentorship, and performance experiences that celebrate local talent and foster personal and collective achievement.

The Desert Performing Arts Association (DPAA) was established in 2022 with the goal of providing accessible and high-quality marching arts opportunities to the communities of California’s Coachella Valley and surrounding desert areas.

In the summer of 2023, we soft launched our programming with a summer marching arts camp, which culminated in a community performance at the Galen in Palm Desert, CA, hosted by the Artists Council. Additionally, we produced a music video that captures the essence of the performance, available on our website and YouTube channel.

The year 2024 marked another significant achievement for DPAA. For the first time, our independent ensembles, Las Palmas Winter Guard and Del Sol Winds, competed in both the WCWG and WGASC circuits. Las Palmas placed 2nd at the 2024 WCWG Championships, and Del Sol earned 1st place at the 2024 WGASC Championships.

2025 was a historic season for DPAA as both Las Palmas Winter Guard and Del Sol Winds traveled to Dayton, Ohio, to compete in the esteemed WGI World Championships. This marked a major milestone for our organization and offered our performers an opportunity to compete on a national stage.

The Desert Performing Arts Association is dedicated to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for the development of performers passionate about the marching arts. As we continue to grow and evolve, we remain committed to providing opportunities for excellence in the arts while fostering a sense of community and pride in our region.

Our ensembles:

Our Story

Del Sol Winds