Admission Department - ��ֱ��

Erin Staff

bjones@idyllwildarts.org — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 22:39:20 +0000

Erin Staff joins the ��ֱ�� Admission Team with deep roots in the Idyllwild community and a strong appreciation for the transformative power of arts education. Her children have participated in auxiliary classes on campus, giving her firsthand insight into the benefits of learning in a creative and supportive environment. A talented baker and a mother of two young children, Erin brings warmth and enthusiasm to her work. She is excited to guide student artists and their families through the admissions process and help them explore all that ��ֱ�� has to offer.

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Arisara Kiusasap

bjones@idyllwildarts.org — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 01:10:53 +0000

Originally from Thailand, Arisara brings over a decade of experience in finance and leadership, paired with a love for creative expression and community. After years in Orange County, she found her place in Idyllwild, where the mountain setting and artistic spirit echo the warmth of her hometown. She is passionate about helping Music and Film students discover where their talent meets purpose.

Outside of work, she enjoys life in the mountains with her two dogs and stays closely connected to her family—her son, a geologist, and her daughter-in-law, a hydrology engineer.

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Hallie Ballou (Music ’10)

mmapel@idyllwildarts.org — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 01:15:33 +0000

An alumna of the ��ֱ�� Music Department, Hallie wrote and recorded her debut album during her time as a student – an experience that shaped both her creative voice and her belief in the transformative power of an artistic community. Growing up at the end of the road in Alaska, Hallie began writing songs at age ten under the mentorship of Atz Kiltcher (father of recording artist Jewel), who instilled in her the importance of storytelling through song. Now an established recording artist, performer, and songwriter, Hallie has collaborated with leading writers in the folk and Americana communities and has recorded extensively in Los Angeles and Nashville. Her music reflects a deep connection to nature, storytelling, and emotional authenticity – values she now brings into the classroom as Director of Songwriting.

As an educator, Hallie is passionate about helping young artists discover their creative voice, build confidence in their performance, and understand the balance between emotional truth and technical craft. She believes songwriting is both a deeply personal and profoundly communal act – one that connects people across backgrounds, cultures, and generations. Returning to ��ֱ�� more than a decade after graduating, Hallie now leads the Songwriting Program with the same sense of wonder and gratitude she once felt as a student – committed to ensuring that today’s young songwriters experience the same magic of belonging, discovery, and creative freedom that once changed her life.

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Matthew Walker

bjones@idyllwildarts.org — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 01:01:21 +0000

Matthew Walker, who grew up in Idyllwild, is thrilled to be back. He graduated from the University of California, Irvine, with a BA in Drama, specializing in Directing and Lighting Design. He has actively participated in various community theater productions, assuming roles as an actor, director, and/or lighting designer/technician, both locally and elsewhere. Although his career path initially led him to the fine wine industry and later the tech industry for a period, he currently finds joy in his role as the Administrative Assistant in the Admissions Office at ��ֱ��.

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Molly Mapel (Creative Writing ’01)

Keely Mikkelsen — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 03:56:49 +0000

Born and raised in Idyllwild, Molly Mapel graduated from ��ֱ��’s Creative Writing department in 2001 as Salutatorian and then went on to graduate with a degree in English and Creative Writing from NYU. Looking for a way to combine her values with her profession, she began her career in the nonprofit world with NRDC, an international environmental law and advocacy group. Her move into Branding and Marketing took place by way of food, as she decided to start a Farmers Market bakery business in order to champion organic, Fair Trade Certified, and locally sourced ingredients from regional farmers. Melding her passion for the art of storytelling with her deep appreciation for good food, Molly spent the next nine years building beloved, mission-driven restaurant brands including Mendocino Farms, Veggie Grill, and Pokeworks. With a focus on authenticity in communication and an entrepreneurial approach, Molly is committed to helping mission-driven organizations grow and succeed.

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Joni Wright

Keely Mikkelsen — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 22:37:25 +0000

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Tara Sechrest (Dance ’94)

bjones@idyllwildarts.org — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 03:17:49 +0000

Tara is a seasoned enrollment professional dedicated to expanding access, supporting student success, and fostering global connections. A graduate of ��ֱ�� (1994), she earned her B.A. in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz and her Master’s in Education from the University of Redlands.

Since joining the Admission Office in 2005, Tara has been instrumental in shaping enrollment strategy, financial aid, and international partnerships. She works closely with families and partners worldwide to guide them through the admission process and cultivate a diverse, globally engaged student community. Her work centers on building meaningful relationships and increasing access to transformative arts education.

Tara’s global perspective is informed by her experience in the travel and airline industries, as well as her extensive international travel. Outside of work, she enjoys dance, hiking, and mountain biking.

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Admission Department - ����ֱ��