Students are placed according to their English proficiency, based on a short online assessment before arrival. Classes are small and collaborative, designed to meet each learner at their level and to help them advance quickly through means of communication and feedback.

Mornings will focus on developing language through discussion, reading, and writing. In the afternoons, students join arts workshops that connect their English language practice with creative artistic expression.

Evenings will offer community activities, open studio time, quiet study in the dorms, and a chance to relax and make friends. A planned excursion will offer the chance to explore Southern California’s natural beauty and to get out to a major urban destination as well, all while practicing English in genuinely immersive situations.

to see the list of items to bring to Idyllwild

Donald Duffy is an educator specializing in Language Learning and curriculum design. He has experience directing international student programs, teaching English and World Languages in boarding schools, and creating immersive, project-based learning environments. His work emphasizes authentic communication, cultural literacy, and creative expression through art and language.

Check out our Kids & Teens FAQ’s to learn more about our summer programs

Students must submit a video audition for acceptance.

Please submit a 1-2 minute video showing you dancing in contemporary, jazz, or hip hop.  This can be a performance video or something made in a dance studio. If it is a video of a group dance, please make sure you are visible for us to see and be clear as to which dancer you are.

Once you have submitted the Camper Application, we will send you information on how to submit your dance video.

Dance Experience:
It is suggested that applicants have at least 2 years of dance training in contemporary or jazz dance technique.  The training is rigorous—dancers will be in class and rehearsals for up to 6 hours per day.

Complete an online Camper application through CampInTouch.

Once you have completed the Camper Application, your application will be reviewed within 5 days by a member of the Enrollment team. At this time, you will be charged the $50 application fee and receive an email with a link to the Submittable audition application for you to submit your audition. Complete the Submittable audition application and provide an email address for your teacher recommendation form within Submittable.

We use the platform Submittable to receive all auditions for the ����ֱ�� Program (a universal platform utilized for exhibitions, contests and even university and job applications). It is very easy to use. You will be prompted to set up a free Submittable account with your email. This account can be used for any future open calls you apply to at ����ֱ�� and beyond!

Priority Audition Deadline: February 15, 2026
First round evaluation will take place shortly after this date. You will be notified of acceptance as soon as evaluations are complete. Auditions will be reviewed on a rolling basis after February 15. Please allow up to two weeks for a response to allow time for faculty evaluation. Auditions will be accepted until the program is full.

All Students:

• Water bottle, Thera-band, yoga mat

All Dancers: 

• Short or open-toe tights, preferably black
• T-shirts or leotards (no writing/graphics)
• Black Dance shorts or pants
• Jazz Shoes
• Colorful street clothes
• Sneakers that can be worn in the dance studio
• Ballet shoes

A typical day will follow this guideline:

• 9:00 am – 10:00 am: Conditioning for dance
• 10:15 am – 11:45 am: Contemporary Dance Technique
• 11:45 am – 12:15 pm: Musical Theater Dance
• 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm: Lunch
• 1:30 pm – 2:45 pm: Jazz or Ballet technique
• 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm: Hip Hop
• 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm: Rehearsal

Ellen Rosa-Taylor is currently the Chair of the Dance Department at ����ֱ��, as well as the Director of the ����ֱ�� Children’s Dance Program. She received her BS in Ballet from Indiana University, Bloomington, and her MFA in Dance from Florida State University where she was the recipient of a Dean’s Teaching Fellowship and a University Fellowship. Ellen has performed with the Los Angeles Opera, New York City Opera, and San Diego Opera; she has performed as principal dancer with City Ballet of Los Angeles, Media City Ballet (now Pacific Ballet Theater), La Danserie, and Chattanooga Ballet. She has also performed with Louise Reichlin and Dancers, Charleston Ballet Theater, Russian Ballet Theater of Delaware, and was featured as the Bluebird in Disney’s Snow White at Disneyland. As a choreographer, Ellen has had her works presented across the U.S. The LA Times has referred to her as having “a unique jazz ballet style.” As a dance educator, Ellen is an ABT Affiliate Teacher for levels Primary – 7 and has received the distinction of ABT NTC Fellow, which has been awarded to only 50 ABT Certified teachers worldwide.

Born and raised in Orange County, Alexandra Yonkovich trained in all styles while competing on Rosary High School’s nationally ranked Varsity dance team. She earned her BFA from the University of Arizona and shortly after performed as a full-time ensemble and soloist with The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil from 2015 – 2020. While with Cirque, Alexandra led as dance captain and Artist Coach, additionally performing principal roles with artists such as Hans Zimmer, Jewel, and Walk The Moon in several events presented by Cirque Du Soleil.

Now based in Los Angeles, Alexandra most recently performed as a principal in Russall S. Beattie’s “Batette Follies of 1939“ at Hollywood’s Ricardo Montalban Theatre where she assumed Dance Captain and eventually Associate Director.  She has performed with artists Paris Jackson, Jordin Sparks and Lainey Wilson, Francesca Zambello’s Aida with LA Opera, and national commercials for Burger King and Target. Alexandra continues to work in TV/Film appearing as a performer in Freeform’s Good Trouble, LIVE! with Kelly & Ryan, and Dancing With The Stars: Showstoppers while assisting choreographers Galen Hooks, Tommy Tonge, and Marguerite Derricks.

Serving in all aspects of the dance industry, Alexandra is focused on connecting with the younger generation of dancers where she can focus heavily on teaching both technique and performance quality in tandem. She continues to set choreography both in the professional industry and academies across the country.  She is currently on faculty for Celebrity Dance Conventions while being on faculty at ����ֱ�� while based in Los Angeles.

Justin Epstein is a professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer based in Los Angeles, CA with over 17 years of experience in hip hop, tap, jazz, ballet, modern, musical theatre, contemporary, and partnering. Justin has performed live for the Los Angeles Avengers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Pac-12 Championship Halftime Shows and can be seen dancing in music videos with Brooklyn Jai, MNEK, Matoma, and Kiana Lede. Justin graduated with a B.F.A. in Dance as a member of the inaugural class at the brand new USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance where he had the opportunity to perform the work of Paul Taylor, Martha Graham, George Balanchine, Jiri Kylian, and Dwight Rhoden, including original works by William Forsythe, d. Sabela Grimes, and Jodie Gates. Since graduating Justin has co-founded RYBG, a multidisciplinary creative production studio rooted in choreography.

Check out our Kids & Teens FAQ’s to learn more about our summer programs

Students who attended Songwriting Intensive in 2025 do not have to re-audition to attend in 2026. You will be automatically accepted and will be contacted to confirm your attendance through CampInTouch after you complete your application. All other applicants should submit an audition following the guidelines below.

Priority Audition Deadline: February 15, 2026
First round evaluation will take place shortly after this date. You will be notified of acceptance as soon as evaluations are complete. Auditions will be reviewed on a rolling basis after February 15. Please allow up to two weeks for a response to allow time for faculty evaluation. Auditions will continue to be accepted after that date until the program is full.

Students who are new to songwriting should submit 1-2 original song ideas, even if incomplete. The goal is to demonstrate current instrumental, vocal, and lyric writing skills. Submitting a few phrases of something you’ve written is fine! We can help develop ideas that you have begun.

For students with more experience, the audition video should include 1-2 complete original songs demonstrating instrumental, vocal, and lyric writing skills, including original song lyrics (enter into the Audition Details section on the Music Audition Form).

All applicants should include a brief description of your musical and performance experience. and letter of recommendation from a private teacher or mentor who has personal knowledge of your musical abilities.

We use the platform Submittable to receive all auditions for the ����ֱ�� Program (a universal platform utilized for exhibitions, contests and even university and job applications). It is very easy to use. You will be prompted to set up a free Submittable account using your email address. This account can be used for any future applications at ����ֱ�� and beyond!

-Complete an online Camper application through CampInTouch.

-Once you have completed the Camper Application, your application will be reviewed within 5 days by a member of the Enrollment team. At this time, you will be charged the $50 application fee and receive an email with a link to the Submittable audition application for you to submit your audition. 

-Complete the Submittable audition application and provide an email address for your teacher recommendation form within Submittable.

-Laptop (optional) or phone (voice memo capable recommended)
-Several pens/pencils
-Notebook or journal
-Portable instruments (guitar or smaller)
-Instrument Tuner (labeled with your name)
-Capos, extra strings, guitar picks, or other accessories necessary for your instrument
-OPTIONAL: Midi Keyboard
-OPTIONAL: music recording software (Garage Band, Logic, etc.)

Concert attire:
Black clothing is preferred, but anything tasteful will be fine.

Songwriting Intensive begins each day with vocal warm ups and writing warmups for the day. The morning session includes presentations on songwriting techniques followed by breakout sessions with expert mentors to focus on musicianship, lyrics, melody, chording, live performance, vocals, music production, and other special topics. After lunch, students work on assignment prompts alone and in groups to create one original song per day. The day ends with students presenting their new songs for group feedback. Each week ends with a showcase performance of new songs from that week.

Don Reed, an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, has been performing, composing, teaching and recording music for over 40 years. Don’s playing and compositions have been featured on hundreds of recording projects, television and film soundtracks and more. Don has performed with, produced and managed numerous bands and solo artists throughout his career. He excels in diverse genres, including punk, bluegrass, hard rock, classic rock, jazz, folk, blues and more. Don currently heads up Pop Music & Songwriting at ����ֱ�� and chairs Songwriting for ����ֱ�� ����ֱ�� & Auxiliary Programs.
Donreedmusician.com

Josh Hogan has been songwriting and playing guitar for over 20 years. He has played lead guitar, sang, and wrote songs for The Mowgli’s since their inception in 2012. His newest project, ‘Modern Original’, has been releasing new songs since 2021 to rave reviews. He lives in Los Angeles, CA where he co-writes for other artists and is currently producing up and coming bands.

Bob Hamilton is a freelance musician and teacher living in Palm Springs, California. He is a master of the 6 string guitar and 5 string banjo, a patient and engaging teacher, and an adept improviser, writer, and arranger. Bob has played thousands of songs on stage with hundreds of bands. He has international touring experience, ranging from rock/pop/soul bands in nightclubs to classical and jazz sets of solo guitar at upscale restaurants and banjo breakdowns on major bluegrass festival stages. Few guitarists come with the skill set that includes college training in jazz, classical, and Afro-Latin music, national competitions for bluegrass banjo, touring with the most popular cover band in the world, a decade plus in rock/funk/soul bands, and an ability to learn, write and improvise everyday. He performs regularly in Palm Springs and Coachella CA and fills in on tour with several Los Angeles based bands.

Check out our Kids & Teens FAQ’s to learn more about summer programs

Our Visual Arts classes do not require any type of assessment or portfolio to get into the program. Instructors will work with your child at their level. Your child will improve and learn new skills whether they are a beginner or have been an artist for years.

-A refillable water bottle
-Comfortable clothes that can get messy
-Sturdy closed-toed shoes
-If you have a 35mm film camera, please bring it with you. We have a limited number of cameras available to loan to students who need one.

Phones and other electronic devices are not allowed during class time in Children’s Center. Day students should not bring a personal device. Residential students should leave devices in their dorm room, or will turn in their device to the teacher during instructional time.

Each weekday, students begin with a photography demonstration and a short lecture to introduce the day’s techniques and creative goals. Following the morning discussion, students head out into nature or work in the studio for a daily photoshoot. The day concludes with editing and traditional darkroom printing. 

Your student will be following this basic schedule each weekday:

Day students should be dropped off at Children’s Center between 8:15 – 8:25 am
(breakfast is not included for day students)

Residential Students will be walked to breakfast as a group and then to Children’s Center

8:30 am: Morning Sing/Greeting
9:00 am – 11:20 am: Morning Classes (snack provided)
11:30 am – 12:15 pm: Lunch in the Dining Hall (provided for residential and day students)
12:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Afternoon Classes (snack provided)

Day students should be picked up from Children’s Center at 4:00 pm.

Residential students will be walked as a group to afternoon activities with the RA’s.

Day students will be allowed to use the pool on Tuesday – Friday from 4:00 – 5:45 pm with the supervision of a parent or guardian. (Enrolled children only, please. No siblings or friends.) Lifeguards will be present.

Born and raised in Idyllwild, California, Shaunna Lehr earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Portrait Photography from Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara in 2009. During her time at Brooks, she had the opportunity to study under and assist several renowned photographers, including Nick Decker, Joyce Wilson, Ralph Clevenger, and Christopher Broughton.While living in Santa Barbara, Shaunna worked as a journal photographer for Seasons Magazine, where her photography was regularly featured. Her work has also been exhibited in galleries, including Gallery 27 in Santa BarbaraShaunna’s training spans traditional black-and-white film and digital photography, with extensive experience using 35mm, medium format, and large format film. In addition to her analog expertise, she is well versed in digital photography and post-processing using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.

Check out our Kids & Teens FAQ’s to learn more about our summer programs

This program does not require any type of assessment or portfolio to get into the program. Instructors will work with your child at their level. Your child will improve and learn new skills, whether they are a beginner or have been an artist for years.

-A refillable water bottle
-Comfortable clothing for studio work
-Sturdy closed-toed shoes (required in the lab)
-Notebook/sketchbook and pencils/pens
-Personal laptop or tablet for design work (optional)

Phones and other electronic devices are not allowed during class time in Children’s Center. Day students should not bring a personal device. Residential students should leave devices in their dorm room, or will turn in their device to the teacher during instructional time.

Your student will be following this basic schedule each weekday:

Day students should be dropped off at Children’s Center between 8:15 – 8:25 am (breakfast is not included for day students)

Residential Students will be walked to breakfast as a group and then to Children’s Center

8:30 am: Morning Sing/Greeting
9:00 am – 11:20 am: Morning Classes (snack provided)
11:30 am – 12:15 pm: Lunch in the Dining Hall (provided for residential and day students)
12:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Afternoon Classes (snack provided)

Day students should be picked up from Children’s Center at 4:00 pm.

Residential students will be walked as a group to afternoon activities with the RA’s.

Day students will be allowed to use the pool on Tuesday – Friday from 4:00 – 5:45 pm with the supervision of a parent or guardian. (Enrolled children only, please. No siblings or friends.) Lifeguards will be present.

Nathaniel Ober is a sound-based installation artist living and working in Yucca Valley, CA. With a creative practice spanning installation, sculpture, sound, digital prototyping, fabrication, astrophysics and the sciences, Ober’s work is heavily inspired by, and often in collaboration with, the natural world and gives voice to the landscapes that surround us. His work has been featured at the San Fransisco Center for New Music, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Parque Explora in Medellín Colombia, Arteles Creative Center in Finland, International Symposium on Electronic Art, as well as leading education and research programs in several universities and has been awarded many residencies across the globe. Ober holds an MFA from the Digital Arts + New Media program at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a BFA from the Columbus College of Art and Design.

Check out our Kids & Teens FAQ’s to learn more about summer programs

This program does not require any type of assessment or audition to get into the program. Instructors will work with your child at their level. Any previous music instruction will be helpful, but is not required.

-A refillable water bottle
-Comfortable clothes that allow for movement
-Sturdy closed-toed shoes

Phones and other electronic devices are not allowed during class time in Children’s Center. Day students should not bring a personal device. Residential students should leave devices in their dorm room, or will turn in their device to the teacher during instructional time.

Your student will be following this basic schedule each weekday:

Day students should be dropped off at Children’s Center between 8:15 – 8:25 am (breakfast is not included for day students)

Residential Students will be walked to breakfast as a group and then to Children’s Center

8:30 am: Morning Sing/Greeting
9:00 am – 11:20 am: Morning Classes (snack provided)
11:30 am – 12:15 pm: Lunch in the Dining Hall (provided for residential and day students)
12:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Afternoon Classes (snack provided)

Day students should be picked up from Children’s Center at 4:00 pm.

Residential students will be walked as a group to afternoon activities with the RA’s.

Day students will be allowed to use the pool on Tuesday – Friday from 4:00 – 5:45 pm with the supervision of a parent or guardian. (Enrolled children only, please. No siblings or friends.) Lifeguards will be present.

Lauren Daniels has taught at Children’s Center for the ����ֱ�� ����ֱ�� Program since 2015. She teaches music, theatre, and literacy at various schools and facilities in California, and has done so for over 20 years. Lauren holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice, Percussion, and Theatre Performance from Belmont University and a board certification in Music Therapy. She earned an MLIS from San Jose State inspired by her love of books and is both a children’s librarian and an adjunct professor of library science at various colleges and high schools in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

Kendric Stern is an artist and educator living in the Coachella Valley of Southern California. Born and raised in the area by two teachers, sharing education has always been an important part of his life. Stern studied Sculpture at the University of Colorado Boulder, focusing in production of large scale metal works, improvisational instruments and performance art. Introduced to music as a young child, Stern strongly believes in music as a form of community and self care. Stern has volunteered teaching music lessons in the community for nearly two decades. He has also worked for the Desert Sands Unified School District as a guest educator, sharing visual and musical arts with students of all ages. Stern has worked with non-profit organization Old Town Artisan Studios, where he filled the role of studio technician, helping manage studio operations and facilitating art education for specialized populations. Stern began work with ����ֱ�� summer program in 2017 as a teaching assistant and returned again in 2018 as a visual arts instructor.

Check out our Kids & Teens FAQ’s to learn more about summer programs

This program does not require any type of assessment or portfolio to get into the program. Instructors will work with your child at their level. Your child will improve and learn new skills whether they are a beginner or have been an artist for years.

-Students must bring their own small video camera (any camera with video capability is ok!) or phone with video recording capabilities.
-Laptop if you have one
-Closed-toe shoes for navigating dirt and gravel pathways
-Comfortable work clothes
-Reusable water bottle
-Sunscreen
-Notepad and pens/pencils and/or a laptop
-Rain jacket/poncho
-Good set of enclosed-ear headphones (optional)
-PC or Mac laptop with screenwriting software (optional)
-External hard drive (optional)

In addition, please bring:
-An open mind
-A healthy dose of courage
-A can-do attitude

Phones and other electronic devices are not allowed for recreational use during class time in Children’s Center. Students in this program may be using a phone to record videos for classwork, but they should not be using them for other purposes.

On any given day, film campers will be exposed to foundational film techniques, basic equipment instruction on DSLRs (Digital Single Lens Reflex), practical lab work as well as actual filmmaking crew experience. All of this rigorous learning is balanced with time for campers to enjoy being at camp, making new friends, and experiencing the mountainous majesty and natural beauty of Idyllwild.

Your student will be following this basic schedule each weekday:

Day students should be dropped off at Children’s Center between 8:15 – 8:25 am
(breakfast is not included for day students)

Residential Students will be walked to breakfast as a group and then to Children’s Center

8:30 am: Morning Sing/Greeting
9:00 am – 11:20 am: Morning Classes (snack provided)
11:30 am – 12:15 pm: Lunch in the Dining Hall (provided for residential and day students)
12:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Afternoon Classes (snack provided)

Day students should be picked up from Children’s Center at 4:00 pm.

Residential students will be walked as a group to afternoon activities with the RA’s.

Day students will be allowed to use the pool on Tuesday – Friday from 4:00 – 5:45 pm with the supervision of a parent or guardian. (Enrolled children only, please. No siblings or friends.) Lifeguards will be present.

Saturday classes are at the discretion of the teacher. Some programs will meet on the Saturday between the two week session. Please watch out for more information from the teacher. Sundays are off for everyone, with no mandatory classes held.

Catalina Alcaraz-Guzman is a filmmaker, educator, and activist, selected as Film Teacher of the Year at the All American High School Film Festival 2024. She opened her own professional photography studio in her hometown of Medellin, Colombia, at the age of sixteen. As an active young leader, community organizer and cultural developer, Catalina participated in youth congresses, conferences, master classes, artistic events and performances, focusing on the power of film, theater, and mass media to offset the tumultuous social and political unrest in her country in the 1990s. After completing various degrees in photography, television production
and journalism, she relocated to the United States in 2002 in pursuit of an education and career in filmmaking. Specializing in history and popular culture, she received her BFA in Communication from Castleton State University, followed by her MFA in Film & Television from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2013.

While working as a development producer for 22 Whitestone in New York, Catalina was Artist-in-Residence at Reel Works, which mentors and empowers underserved NYC youth. In 2014, she joined Poverty Row Entertainment, working closely with Jennifer DeLia and Julie Pacino while producing various commercial and music video projects, and leading the creative team on the upcoming independent feature film about the life of Hollywood legend Mary
Pickford (starring Sophie Kennedy Clark, Cary Elwes, Luke Arnold, and Balthazar Getty).

Catalina returned to Savannah, Georgia in 2017, to raise her daughter and accept the position of Film Commission Manager for the Savannah Regional Film Commission, supporting large studio productions, independent films, television series’, and commercials filmed in Savannah. In late 2019, Catalina joined the Film & Digital Media faculty at ����ֱ�� in
Idyllwild, California, and was promoted to department chair in 2022. She was also appointed as chair of the academy’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) Collaborative.

Recently, Catalina was invited to direct the cinematic filming of iconic theater plays with
recognized troupes in her city of origin, Medellin, and presented in masterclasses in South America for her contributions to several documentaries and short films, including Birdsong & Coffee: A Wake Up Call. Catalina’s debut feature film #Medellin1995 is currently in
development.

Check out our Kids & Teens FAQ’s to learn more about summer programs

Our Visual Arts classes do not require any type of assessment or portfolio to get into the program. Instructors will work with your child at their level. Your child will improve and learn new skills whether they are a beginner or have been an artist for years.

-A refillable water bottle
-Comfortable clothes that can get messy
-Sturdy closed-toed shoes
-An apron or large, button up shirt to wear over your clothes

Drawing Materials
-Sketchbook (9″×12″, spiral-bound, medium weight paper—good for pencil and light ink)

-Drawing pencils (set of HB, 2B, 4B, 6B for value range)

-Kneaded eraser (for light lifting and highlights)

-White plastic eraser (for clean corrections)

-Pencil sharpener (manual, with shavings catcher for outdoor use)

-Black ink pens or fine liners (optional—introduction to line variety)

-Ruler (12″ for perspective and proportion exercises)

Phones and other electronic devices are not allowed during class time in Children’s Center. Day students should not bring a personal device. Residential students should leave devices in their dorm room, or will turn in their device to the teacher during instructional time.

Your student will be following this basic schedule each weekday:

Day students should be dropped off at Children’s Center between 8:15 – 8:25 am
(breakfast is not included for day students)

Residential Students will be walked to breakfast as a group and then to Children’s Center

8:30 am: Morning Sing/Greeting
9:00 am – 11:20 am: Morning Classes (snack provided)
11:30 am – 12:15 pm: Lunch in the Dining Hall (provided for residential and day students)
12:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Afternoon Classes (snack provided)

Day students should be picked up from Children’s Center at 4:00 pm.

Residential students will be walked as a group to afternoon activities with the RA’s.

Day students will be allowed to use the pool on Tuesday – Friday from 4:00 – 5:45 pm with the supervision of a parent or guardian. (Enrolled children only, please. No siblings or friends.) Lifeguards will be present.

Saturday classes are at the discretion of the teacher. Some programs will meet on the Saturday between the two week session. Please watch out for more information from the teacher. Sundays are off for everyone, with no mandatory classes held.

Stefania Ford is a ceramic artist and teacher living in the Coachella Valley. Originally from Michigan, Ford attended Washington University in St. Louis where she received her fine arts degree in sculpture. Ford then worked as a public artist around the country, creating large scale ceramic sculpture and tile installation art. Ford moved to California to work with non-profit arts organization Tools for Tomorrow, and then became the art director and ceramic instructor for Old Town Artisan Studios. After studying for a masters in education, Ford became a full time art educator within Desert Sands Unified School District, where she currently teaches high school art and ceramics. Ford has been a part of ����ֱ�� ����ֱ�� Program since 2009 and is thrilled to be back again for another wonderful summer of intensive arts education. 

Benjamin Morales is a community-based painter and teaching artist who believes in the power of creativity to inspire and heal. His work draws on cultural traditions and aesthetics as a way to encourage others to embrace their own heritage and artistic voice. With over 20 years of teaching experience, Benjamin is dedicated to engaging communities through the arts and fostering lifelong learners. Recognized with grant awards for his community-based projects, he continues to guide youth in Los Angeles through the mural-making process as part of the Mural Workforce Academy at the Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory, helping young artists build skills, confidence, and pride while contributing to their community.

Check out our Kids & Teens FAQ’s to learn more about our summer programs

We ask that all students submit an audition video, regardless of participation in past programs. The video helps our faculty and staff plan and prepare for group assignments, class schedules, private lesson schedules and much more for the music programs.

Priority Audition Deadline: February 15, 2026
First round evaluation will take place shortly after this date. You will be notified of acceptance as soon as evaluations are complete. Auditions will be reviewed on a rolling basis after February 15. Please allow up to two weeks for a response to allow time for faculty evaluation.

Junior Strings
Audition material should be submitted in video form, with or without accompaniment. Performance tempos and repertoire selections should highlight the student’s ability to play accurately and overall musicianship.

One 3 octave scale (quarter note = 50-60, 2 beats per bow, 8th notes or 16th notes)
Two 2 octave arpeggio (your choice of key, 3 octave optional)
Two Short Contrasting Pieces of your choice, one piece should highlight the student’s technical agility.

Junior Piano
Submit a video of two or more solos from different periods that demonstrate both musical expression and technical facility, totaling at least 5 minutes. The chosen repertoire should be at least at the level of these intermediate/early advanced pieces:

-Baroque period: J.S. Bach: any two-part invention; Domenico Scarlatti: any sonata

-Classical period: Mozart: Sonata in C Major, K. 545; Clementi: any sonatina (first movements are enough)

-Romantic period: Chopin: Nocturne in Eb Major, Op. 9, No. 2; “Raindrop” Prelude, Op. 28, No. 15; Waltz in A Minor, Op. posth., B. 150; Grieg: Puck, Op. 71, No. 3 (from Lyric Pieces)

-Twentieth Century: Debussy: a movement from Children’s Corner; Anton Biloti: The Firefly

-Contemporary: Karen Tanaka: Northern Lights; Wynn-Anne Rossi: Puppy Dog Etudes

After being accepted into the junior piano workshop, you may choose to audition again to collaborate with string students during your week in the piano workshop. For that option, we will send you a short chamber music selection for you to learn, and you will be asked to submit a video performance of the piano part. More information will be sent to accepted applicants in the spring.

We use the platform Submittable to receive all auditions for the ����ֱ�� Program (a universal platform utilized for exhibitions, contests and even university and job applications). It is very easy to use. You will be prompted to set up a free Submittable account using your email address. This account can be used for any future applications at ����ֱ�� and beyond!

-Complete an online Camper application through CampInTouch.

-Once you have completed the Camper Application, your application will be reviewed within 5 days by a member of the Enrollment team. At this time, you will be charged the $50 application fee and receive an email with a link to the Submittable audition application for you to submit your audition.

-Complete the Submittable application and provide an email address for your teacher recommendation form within Submittable.

Hard copies of music will be provided when you arrive. ����ֱ�� cannot provide individual instruments or personal equipment.

Please be sure to bring:
-Your personal instrument
-Extra strings, rosin, and other necessary accessories for your instrument
-Metronome
-Blank music staff paper
-Pencil

Concert dress code is a black top and black bottom with black shoes/socks.

Students can mix and match from this list as desired:
-Black button-down shirt, blouse, or all-black formal shirt (no sleeveless tops)
-Black pants or black skirt (below the knees)
-Black dress shoes and black socks
-No ties, bowties, or suit jackets

Phones and other electronic devices are not allowed during class time for Junior Artists. Day students should not bring a personal device. Residential students should leave devices in their dorm room, or will turn in their device to the teacher during instructional time.

Your student will be following this basic schedule each weekday:

Day students should be dropped off at Children’s Center between 8:15 – 8:25 am
(breakfast is not included for day students)

Residential Students will be walked to breakfast as a group and then to Children’s Center

8:30 am: Morning Sing/Greeting
9:00 am – 11:20 am: Morning Classes (snack provided)
11:30 am – 12:15 pm: Lunch in the Dining Hall (provided for residential and day students)
12:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Afternoon Classes (snack provided)

Day students should be picked up from Children’s Center at 4:00 pm.

Residential students will be walked as a group to afternoon activities with the RA’s.

Day students will be allowed to use the pool on Tuesday – Friday from 4:00 – 5:45 pm with the supervision of a parent or guardian. (Enrolled children only, please. No siblings or friends.) Lifeguards will be present.

The instrument breakdown listed above is a projection of the intended enrollment for the program. Final enrollment may vary slightly at the conductor’s discretion.

Violin | 6

Viola | 3

Cello | 3

Bass | 2

Piano | 10

Music in all of its various shapes, sounds, and forms has forever been a central force in the life of Kai Potts Smith, beginning with absorbing piano by ear from her mother, singing in choirs, and taking flute lessons in elementary school. And at age 11, she picked up the viola, fell in love, and never looked back.

A native of California and raised in Las Vegas, NV, she swiftly excelled as a violist under the watchful eyes of John Sullivan and was accepted into the Las Vegas Academy of International Studies, Performing and Visual Arts. She then added violin to her studies under Rebecca Sabine and went on to win multiple command performances, international competitions, and began her work performing on stage with iconic mainstream recording artists in Las Vegas at age 15. Since then she has appeared as a violist on multiple albums with artists including Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, and Celine Dion, had a six year residency with Celine Dion in Las Vegas, and continues to work with musicians such as Lady Gaga and Billie Eilish to this day. She has appeared as soloist and featured artist with orchestras across the US and abroad, including the Cleveland Orchestra, London Philharmonic, Pittsburgh Symphony, Puerto Rico Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, and the Atlanta Symphony, among others.

A Steinway artist and the recipient of four Nevada Arts Council touring grants and Nevada Governor’s Arts Award, Laura Spitzer has performed extensively through the US, Canada, and Mexico, playing recitals in towns and cities of all sizes and in over 1000 schools. For her unique style of touring–traveling with her Steinway in a truck–she was featured nationally on ABC and NBC news, and in such publications as People, Time, Reader’s Digest, Clavier…a�Ի� Overdrive.

Laura Spitzer earned a Solodiplom with Hans Leygraf at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, where she was awarded the Bösendorfer Stipend, and graduated with distinction. She completed her Master of Music degree with Leon Fleisher at Peabody in 1979, and a Doctor of Musical Arts with John Perry at the University of Southern California in 2000, where she served as Assistant Lecturer and received the department’s teaching award.

In 2000 Dr. Spitzer joined the faculty at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, where she served as Piano Area Coordinator until her retirement in 2025. Many of her former students have earned master’s and doctoral degrees at such institutions as UT Austin, Texas Tech,
University of Arizona, University of Houston, and Louisiana State University. She is active as a master class teacher and adjudicator, and has enjoyed teaching the piano at ����ֱ�� for 30 years.

Check out our Kids & Teens FAQ’s to learn more about our summer programs

All Students:
-Water bottle, Thera-band, yoga mat

Female:
-Pink or flesh tone tights
-Black dance shorts, leggings or tights
-Leotard (any color, but please bring a black one for your performance)
-Clean ballet shoes
-Jazz Shoes
-Sneakers for Hip Hop
-A pair of black socks you can dance in

Male:
-Black tights
-Black dance shorts or pants
-Plain black or white T-shirt (no writing/graphics)
-Dance belt
-Ballet shoes
-Jazz shoes
-A Pair of black socks you can dance in

Phones and other electronic devices are not allowed during class time in Children’s Center. Day students should not bring a personal device. Residential students should leave devices in their dorm room, or will turn in their device to the teacher during instructional time.

Your student will be following this basic schedule each weekday:

Day students should be dropped off at Children’s Center between 8:15 – 8:25 am
(breakfast is not included for day students)

Residential Students will be walked to breakfast as a group and then to Children’s Center

8:30 am: Morning Sing/Greeting
9:00 – 10:00 am: Ballet
10:00 – 10:15 am: Snack (provided)
10:15 – 11:15 am: Jazz/Modern
11:30 am – 12:15 pm: Lunch in the Dining Hall (provided for residential and day students)
12:30 – 1:30 pm: Hip Hop
1:30 – 1:45 pm: Snack (provided)
1:45 – 2:45 pm: Choreography
2:45 – 3:45 pm: Rehearsal

Day students should be picked up from Children’s Center at 4:00 pm.

Residential students will be walked as a group to afternoon activities with the RA’s.

Day students will be allowed to use the pool on Tuesday – Friday from 4:00 – 5:45 pm with the supervision of a parent or guardian. (Enrolled children only, please. No siblings or friends.) Lifeguards will be present.

Ellen Rosa-Taylor is currently the Chair of the Dance Department at ����ֱ�� as well as the Director of the ����ֱ�� Children’s Dance Program. She received her BS in Ballet from Indiana University, Bloomington, her MFA. in Dance from Florida State University where she was the recipient of a Deans Teaching Fellowship as well as a University Fellowship. Ellen has performed as a ballerina with the Los Angeles Opera, New York City and San Diego Opera and as principal dancer with City Ballet of Los Angeles, Media City Ballet, La Danserie and Chattanooga Ballet. Ms. Rosa has also performed with Louise Reichlin and Dancers, Charleston Ballet Theater, Russian Ballet Theater of Delaware and was featured as the Bluebird in Disney’s Snow White at Disneyland. As a choreographer Mrs. Rosa-Taylor has had her works presented across the USA. LA Times has called her style… “a unique jazz ballet style.”. As a dance educator, Ms. Rosa-Taylor is an ABT Affiliate Teacher for levels Primary- 7 and has received the distinction of ABT NTC Fellow, which has been awarded to only 50 ABT certified teachers worldwide.

Jonathan Sharp was trained at National Academy of the Arts and the School of American Ballet, the official school of the New York City Ballet. While on full scholarship at SAB, he was trained by master teachers Stanley Williams, Peter Martins, Andrea Kramarevsky, Suzanne Farrell, Alexandra Danilova, Suki Schorer, and Sean Lavery. He danced professionally with the Boston Ballet, the Pennsylvania Ballet, and the touring Stars of American Ballet, headlined by Robert LaFosse and Darci Kistler. He has appeared on Broadway in the original casts of The Red Shoes, Carousel (1994 Tony winner for Best Revival), The Rocky Horror Show Live, The Dance of the Vampires, and Fiddler on the Roof. He has also appeared on television as a contract player on Another World, and he has guest-starred on Law and Order and Gilmore Girls. He has taught at ����ֱ�� for thirteen years, and he also teaches and directs internationally. He is currently Associate Director of Inland Pacific Ballet and a principal guest teacher with Pacific Festival Ballet.

Justin Epstein is a professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer based in Los Angeles, CA with over 17 years of experience in hip hop, tap, jazz, ballet, modern, musical theatre, contemporary, and partnering. Justin has performed live for the Los Angeles Avengers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Pac-12 Championship Halftime Shows and can be seen dancing in music videos with Brooklyn Jai, MNEK, Matoma, and Kiana Lede. Justin graduated with a B.F.A. in Dance as a member of the inaugural class at the brand new USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance where he had the opportunity to perform the work of Paul Taylor, Martha Graham, George Balanchine, Jiri Kylian, and Dwight Rhoden, including original works by William Forsythe, d. Sabela Grimes, and Jodie Gates. Since graduating Justin has co-founded RYBG, a multidisciplinary creative production studio rooted in choreography.

Check out our Kids & Teens FAQ’s to learn more about our summer programs

Writers will start at their own levels and no experience is necessary. Each session is designed to challenge and inspire students in an atmosphere of encouragement and inclusion. Brendan Constantine, the workshop’s faculty leader, has worked for years to develop a unique teaching style which both empowers new voices and allows seasoned writers to flourish. Sufferers of ‘Writer’s Block’ are strongly encouraged!

-Notebook
-Pen
-Laptop (optional)

And here is a list of random things you may also want to have ready:

-a good memory
-a bad memory
-a favorite time of day
-a favorite kind of weather
-a ‘good luck’ charm
-a random phrase or lyric that keeps playing in your head
-a dream
-a poem or story you admire by someone else

Phones and other electronic devices are not allowed during class time in Children’s Center. Day students should not bring a personal device. Residential students should leave devices in their dorm room, or will turn in their device to the teacher during instructional time.

A day in the workshop will include writing, reading, discussion, critique, and a lot of support. Students develop close-reading skills as they examine a variety of styles and approaches to writing. They’ll also develop their most promising pieces and workshop them with their classmates, receiving thorough feedback from peers and the teacher. 

Students should expect to write every day and maintain focus. There will also be plenty ‘down time’ for cultivating new ideas and community.

Your student will be following this basic schedule each weekday:

Day students should be dropped off at Children’s Center between 8:15 – 8:25 am (breakfast is not included for day students)

Residential Students will be walked to breakfast as a group and then to Children’s Center

8:30 am: Morning Sing/Greeting
9:00 am – 11:20 am: Morning Classes (snack provided)
11:30 am – 12:15 pm: Lunch in the Dining Hall (provided for residential and day students)
12:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Afternoon Classes (snack provided)

Day students should be picked up from Children’s Center at 4:00 pm.

Residential students will be walked as a group to afternoon activities with the RA’s.

Day students will be allowed to use the pool on Tuesday – Friday from 4:00 – 5:45 pm with the supervision of a parent or guardian. (Enrolled children only, please. No siblings or friends.) Lifeguards will be present.

Saturday classes are at the discretion of the teacher. Some programs will meet on the Saturday between the two week session. Please watch out for more information from the teacher. Sundays are off for everyone, with no mandatory classes held.

Brendan Constantine is the author of four books of poetry and his work has appeared in many standards including Poetry, The Nation, Best American Poetry, Prairie Schooner, Field, and Poem-A-Day. A popular performer, he has read for audiences throughout the U.S. and Europe, also appearing on NPR, TED ED, numerous podcasts, and YouTube. He holds an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and currently teaches at both the Windward School and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Since 2017, Brendan has been developing poetry workshops for people with Aphasia.

Website:
X: @poetbrendan
Instagram: @brendanconstantine

Check out our Kids & Teens FAQ’s to learn more about summer programs

This is an open-admission program for all interested students, regardless of their level of experience. Instructors will work with your child to teach them acting skills and techniques, whether they are a beginner or have been acting and performing for years. They do, however, need to be willing to project their voices and act onstage.

Students will be asked to send in a video of themselves doing a 1-minute Shakespeare monologue using vocal projection for the stage. Instructions for submitting the video will be sent closer to the start of the program.  

Please note that this video will not impact your child’s admission to the program; this is an open-admission program for students of all skill levels. Rather, the video will be utilized to determine your child’s skill level and to help with planning for the production that the students will work on.

Please also note that although this is an open admission program (no formal audition is required upon entry), students will have casting auditions at camp after working with faculty.

-Refillable water bottle (very important)

For the field trip:

-A low beach chair or blanket to sit on at the theater (it will be OUTDOOR theater – so bring a sweater or a jacket)

-Money for snacks/ice cream (a “sack lunch” will be provided for a picnic before the show)

For rehearsals and costumes:

-Footwear:  tennis shoes, boots (black or brown), closed-toed dress, ballet flats,  jazz shoes, or character shoes (if you have them, in black, brown, or beige) No sandals, crocs, or flip-flops, please.

-Comfortable clothes you can move in

-Dark legwear (black leggings, black pants and/or long jeans)

-White blouses or shirts (short or long-sleeved)

-Tank tops/undershirts to wear underneath as needed (and for modest quick changes)

-Any Renaissance Fair-type costumes you may have (flowing skirts, cloaks, corset vests, blouses, pants, hats, small purses, bags, etc.)

-You may be required to bring additional items pertaining to the specific production. We will communicate with enrolled students on those needs prior to the program.

Phones and other electronic devices are not allowed during class time in Children’s Center. Day students should not bring a personal device. Residential students should leave devices in their dorm room, or will turn in their device to the teacher during instructional time.

A typical day will involve a group warm up, learning vocal exercises and acting techniques, studying the life and times of William Shakespeare, reading aloud, playing acting games, and watching a video of the play we’ll be doing. 

Students will audition for parts, then the days will be spent developing characters and rehearsing our play scene by scene. If the play calls for it, there will also be rehearsals for stage combat, singing, or choreography. We will have costume fittings, and one or two evening rehearsals during the second week. We will use one day to take a field trip to see a live Shakespearean performance and will stop for ice cream, have a picnic, and meet the actors after the show. Students need to be able to memorize lines and be willing to perform.

Your student will be following this basic schedule each weekday:

Day students should be dropped off at Children’s Center between 8:15 – 8:25 am (breakfast is not included for day students)

Residential Students will be walked to breakfast as a group and then to Children’s Center

8:30 am: Morning Sing/Greeting
9:00 am – 11:20 am: Morning Classes (snack provided)
11:30 am – 12:15 pm: Lunch in the Dining Hall (provided for residential and day students)
12:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Afternoon Classes (snack provided)

Day students should be picked up from Children’s Center at 4:00 pm.

Residential students will be walked as a group to afternoon activities with the RA’s.

Day students will be allowed to use the pool on Tuesday – Friday from 4:00 – 5:45 pm with the supervision of a parent or guardian. (Enrolled children only, please. No siblings or friends.) Lifeguards will be present.

Saturday rehearsals are at the discretion of the teacher. Shakespeare’s World will be meeting on Saturday, July 18 from 9:00-11:30am. One or two evening rehearsals will likely also be called during the second week.

Johanna McKay, has worked extensively with writers and composers to create original plays and musicals which she then directs, and has adapted and directed eleven of Shakespeare’s plays. Her adaptation of “As You Like It” was published by Playscripts, Inc. Johanna is the Curriculum Consultant on the Netflix show “Julie’s Greenroom” which teaches children about the arts. Johanna also teaches theater at Los Angeles City College and directs and teaches for P.S. Arts, a non-profit group that integrates the arts into underfunded public schools in the Los Angeles area. She spends her summers at Idyllwild Fine Arts Camp directing musicals, Shakespearean adaptations, and original plays generated by the students. She has also taught acting and improvisation at UCLA. Johanna has trained with The Groundlings, earned her B.F.A from The Theatre School, DePaul University, and her M.F.A. in theater, film and television from UCLA. Besides film and television, Johanna’s acting credits include work at Steppenwolf, The Goodman, Dallas Theatre Center, San Jose Repertory Theatre, and The Rubicon Theatre in Ventura, California.

Judy Heneghan has acted, directed, written plays, and taught both acting and improv for more than 20 years. Judy’s musical credits include being the lead singer of R&B Band, Blue in the Face, in Ireland; she also has numerous musical theater credits. Judy has taught Improvisation Story Theatre in Ireland, Minneapolis, and Los Angeles (LA). She was a teaching artist at the Aaron Copeland Music and Arts Camp in New York. At ����ֱ��, Judy has taught Page to Stage, Improvisation Comedy, and Theatre of Myth. Alongside Johanna McKay, she has taught Shakespeare’s World and “The Play’s The Thing.” Judy co-wrote/created and performs as Olive in the long-running comedy musical The Martini & Olive Show, touring theaters and comedy clubs throughout the country.

Check out our Kids & Teens FAQ’s to learn more about our summer programs