Bruce Kevin Dinkins , 60, of Austin, Texas passed away June 22, 2011 in Ashland, Oregon. He was born April 12, 1951 in Buffalo, New York and reared in Tampa and Green Cove Springs Florida. From a very early age, he discovered the clarinet and this became his passion. He earned the distinction of first chair clarinet in the Florida All-State Band in high school. He went on to earn degrees in Clarinet Performance at the University of Tampa (Bachelor’s), and The New England Conservatory (Master’s), with additional studies at Florida State University toward a doctorate, and The Juilliard School (Clarinet Performance Certificate). He toured Europe with the New England Conservatory Orchestra with Gunther Schuller and Leonard Bernstein. He performed in famous recital halls and other venues throughout the northeastern United States and other parts of the country as a young man and was very well received. He performed with the Jacksonville Symphony, the Macon Symphony, conducted the Memphis Youth Symphony, and was the Conductor-In-Residence of the Sewanee Summer Music Festival in Sewanee, Tennessee for the more than 25 summers, in addition to dozens of other similar roles. He began his teaching career at Florida Junior College and Jacksonville University, before moving on to Emory University in Atlanta. Later in his career, he taught high school and held positions at Avondale High School Center for Performing Arts in Atlanta, North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, Georgia, Irmo High School in Irmo, South Carolina, and for the past 10 years at James Bowie High School in Austin, Texas. His bands consistently received accolades when performing for the public or for adjudication. Bruce has been described by some as the “Pied Piper” of his industry. Scores of younger professionals looked to him for support and for advice about their careers, many followed him from state to state, and others worked for or with him, finding his love for music contagious. He was very supportive of his peers and embraced other fine musicians. Among other professional designations, Bruce was most proud of his induction into the American Bandmaster’s Association. He is preceded in death by his parents, Autumn and Claude Dinkins of Tampa, Florida, and his brother, Ernest Dinkins, of Jacksonville, Florida. Bruce is survived by his wife of 29 years, Hildy Edelman Dinkins, his daughter Jordan and son, Adam, his brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Sharon Dinkins of Michigan, his sister-in-law, Eleanor Dinkins of Jacksonville, Florida, his mother-in-law, Raisa Edelman of Miami, and his brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and niece, Marc and Judy Edelman and Sarah Edelman of Stuart, Florida. Funeral services will be conducted at three o’clock in the afternoon on Sunday, the 26th of June, at Congregation Beth Israel, 3901 Shoal Creek Boulevard, Austin, Texas under the direction of Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas. Interment will follow in the Beth Israel II Section of Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery, Pflugerville, Texas. In lieu of flowers and customary remembrances, the family suggests donations be made to the memorial fund for the enhancement of music education which has been established through Wells Fargo Bank.
"The world of music education has lost one of it's best teachers and a passionate advocate for arts education. Mr. Dinkins was a dear friend of Music for All and will be sorely missed by those of us who had the privilege of working with him for more than two decades. His legacy and the impact he has had on his students, our art and our culture will be with us forever"
Eric L. Martin
President and CEO
Music For All
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