Our History
The story of Coda began in 2007 when Esther Morey, with her son Charles, organized their first summer music camp in a borrowed cinder block building. The talented volunteer staff and students had a joyful and unforgettable week. The Coda Mountain Academy Summer Music Festival quickly turned into a high-caliber residential 2 week camp attracting esteemed faculty from all over the United States. Coda Fine Arts Kidz day camp began in 2010 for young children and became a feeder camp for the Summer Music Festival providing music to K-11 students.
In 2013, Coda began a highly successful after-school program, Coda Inspire. This free program serves over 200 students across 3 schools. In 2016, Coda Explore STEM camps were born introducing students to science, engineering and robotics.
In 2018, thanks to Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation, Coda Excel, a unique tutoring program using arts integration to teach foundational concepts in math, language arts and social studies, was developed.
In 2020, Coda received the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant. This allowed them to partner with Active Southern WV to provide additional programming. Free after-school programs in Lego robotics, art, music, bowling, run club, hiking and disc golf are provided 4 days a week for 25 weeks a year and are open to all 3rd-8th grade students.
In 2023, Coda received the esteemed Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation Changemaker Award. View the 3-minute film here.
The impact of these programs is tangible. Data indicates significant overall improvement in school attendance as well as a decrease in behavioral referrals with students who are in the Coda Inspire program. Children who have suffered trauma, are failing school, regularly suspended for behavior problems and/or struggle with lack of confidence often exhibit changes in attitude and behavior. Giving youth a place to belong, engagement in meaningful activities, and unconditional love is changing lives. Join us as we run into the storm rather than hide from it.
Transformation in our community and in our state is possible.
Together we can revitalize the place we call home.
Coda’s Youth Leadership and Development program emerged organically as students aged out of our after-school programs and expressed a desire to remain involved. These youth were invited to serve as interns, mentoring and supporting younger children. In 2021, the program was formally established, offering structured volunteer and paid positions alongside intentional professional development. Today, these young leaders play a vital role in the success of Coda, serving as mentors, role models, and emerging community leaders.
Also launched in 2021, Coda’s Grandfamily & Kinship Support program responds to a growing need in our community. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than half of West Virginia’s grandparents are raising their grandchildren, largely as a result of the opioid epidemic. In many cases, great-grandparents are stepping into caregiving roles in a world vastly different from the one in which they raised their own children. This program offers understanding, encouragement, and connection to vital resources—supporting caregivers who are often exhausted, overwhelmed, and navigating these challenges alone.