"Idyllwild is one of the most supportive, enriching, and artistically vibrant environments I have ever experienced. I was offered a wealth of creative opportunities and exposed to a unique community of artists from around the globe."
Elliot Mercer
Instructor of Visual & Performing Arts University of Colorado.
Class of 2005, Dance
Elliot Mercer
Instructor of Visual & Performing Arts University of Colorado.
Class of 2005, Dance
"I felt welcomed immediately and knew that I belonged here. No one judges you and you can be who you are without any fear. Since my first day I’ve loved IAA and I’m proud to say that it’s my new home."
Daniela Rendon
University Student in the Netherlands.
Class of 2016, Dance
Daniela Rendon
University Student in the Netherlands.
Class of 2016, Dance
"Idyllwild’s Creative Writing program gave me the room and support I needed to expand my imagination in ways I never had thought of before, introducing me to screenwriting, which led me to major in film/video/animation at Rhode Island School of Design."
Ara Michelle Aranguri
Los Angeles based Artist & Feminist.
Class of 2005, Creative Writing
Ara Michelle Aranguri
Los Angeles based Artist & Feminist.
Class of 2005, Creative Writing
"'Home' comes to mind when I think of Idyllwild Arts. In only two years, it made a huge difference in my life. As a New Zealander, coming to Idyllwild opened up a whole world of opportunities and possibilities for myself."
Alexandra (Alex) Gandionco
Singer & Music Teacher based in New Zealand.
Class of 2013, Music
Alexandra (Alex) Gandionco
Singer & Music Teacher based in New Zealand.
Class of 2013, Music
"As a filmmaker, I learned so much about my personal taste and my strengths from making movies at Idyllwild. That has really allowed me to make use of my time in college and start making things I’m proud of sooner."
Laura Holliday
Director & Actress.
Class of 2012, Moving Pictures
Laura Holliday
Director & Actress.
Class of 2012, Moving Pictures
"At Idyllwild, I learned how to see. Seeing through drawing, and then being nurtured to taking the next steps and make things with my own hands empowered me believe I could create the world as I imagined it should be."
Elora Hardy
Creative Director, Founder, Ibuku.
Class of 1999, Visual Art
Elora Hardy
Creative Director, Founder, Ibuku.
Class of 1999, Visual Art
Idyllwild Arts and its music faculty, especially Marshall Hawkins, have made me the person I am today. Being surrounded by people who are passionate about art made me confident as an artist and human being."
Casey Abrams
Musician, Songwriter, Performer, Actor, Composer.
Class of 2009, Music
Casey Abrams
Musician, Songwriter, Performer, Actor, Composer.
Class of 2009, Music
"Why think of art as an isolated endeavor, when it can shape and profoundly impact our communities? Our students use their art to shape social, economic, technological, and environmental change as only creative thinkers can."
Marianne Kent-Stoll
Former Head of School
Marianne Kent-Stoll
Former Head of School
"Hilary Hahn came to Idyllwild when I was there and played the Edgar Meyer Concerto with the orchestra. She taught an informal masterclass and she said it was her first ever. She was brilliant, and so humble and nice!"
Yan Izquierdo
Violinist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
Class of 2002, Music
Yan Izquierdo
Violinist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
Class of 2002, Music
"I feel our online teaching to be an enhancement, not a replacement for live teaching. Without a crystal ball, I see us working seamlessly in both mediums."
Don Reed
Songwriting & Guitar Faculty
Don Reed
Songwriting & Guitar Faculty
"Idyllwild is one of the most supportive, enriching, and artistically vibrant environments I have ever experienced. I was offered a wealth of creative opportunities and exposed to a unique community of artists from around the globe."
Elliot Mercer
Instructor of Visual & Performing Arts University of Colorado.
Class of 2005, Dance
Elliot Mercer
Instructor of Visual & Performing Arts University of Colorado.
Class of 2005, Dance
"As a filmmaker, I learned so much about my personal taste and my strengths from making movies at Idyllwild. That has really allowed me to make use of my time in college and start making things I’m proud of sooner."
Laura Holliday
Director & Actress.
Class of 2012, Moving Pictures
Laura Holliday
Director & Actress.
Class of 2012, Moving Pictures
"Hilary Hahn came to Idyllwild when I was there and played the Edgar Meyer Concerto with the orchestra. She taught an informal masterclass and she said it was her first ever. She was brilliant, and so humble and nice!"
Yan Izquierdo
Violinist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
Class of 2002, Music
Yan Izquierdo
Violinist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
Class of 2002, Music
"Idyllwild’s Creative Writing program gave me the room and support I needed to expand my imagination in ways I never had thought of before, introducing me to screenwriting, which led me to major in film/video/animation at Rhode Island School of Design."
Ara Michelle Aranguri
Los Angeles based Artist & Feminist.
Class of 2005, Creative Writing
Ara Michelle Aranguri
Los Angeles based Artist & Feminist.
Class of 2005, Creative Writing
"At Idyllwild, I learned how to see. Seeing through drawing, and then being nurtured to taking the next steps and make things with my own hands empowered me believe I could create the world as I imagined it should be."
Elora Hardy
Creative Director, Founder, Ibuku.
Class of 1999, Visual Art
Elora Hardy
Creative Director, Founder, Ibuku.
Class of 1999, Visual Art
"Why think of art as an isolated endeavor, when it can shape and profoundly impact our communities? Our students use their art to shape social, economic, technological, and environmental change as only creative thinkers can."
Marianne Kent-Stoll
Former Head of School
Marianne Kent-Stoll
Former Head of School
"I felt welcomed immediately and knew that I belonged here. No one judges you and you can be who you are without any fear. Since my first day I’ve loved IAA and I’m proud to say that it’s my new home."
Daniela Rendon
University Student in the Netherlands.
Class of 2016, Dance
Daniela Rendon
University Student in the Netherlands.
Class of 2016, Dance
"'Home' comes to mind when I think of Idyllwild Arts. In only two years, it made a huge difference in my life. As a New Zealander, coming to Idyllwild opened up a whole world of opportunities and possibilities for myself."
Alexandra (Alex) Gandionco
Singer & Music Teacher based in New Zealand.
Class of 2013, Music
Alexandra (Alex) Gandionco
Singer & Music Teacher based in New Zealand.
Class of 2013, Music
Idyllwild Arts and its music faculty, especially Marshall Hawkins, have made me the person I am today. Being surrounded by people who are passionate about art made me confident as an artist and human being."
Casey Abrams
Musician, Songwriter, Performer, Actor, Composer.
Class of 2009, Music
Casey Abrams
Musician, Songwriter, Performer, Actor, Composer.
Class of 2009, Music
"I feel our online teaching to be an enhancement, not a replacement for live teaching. Without a crystal ball, I see us working seamlessly in both mediums."
Don Reed
Songwriting & Guitar Faculty
Don Reed
Songwriting & Guitar Faculty
Academics & ESL
Satisfies University of California standards
Creative Writing
Poetry, prose & drama
Dance
Ballet & cutting-edge modern & jazz
Fashion Design
All skills from sewing to designing
Film & Digital Media
Writing, directing, cinematography, & more
InterArts
Collaboration, innovation & entrepreneurship
Music
Classical, jazz, songwriting & voice
Summer Program
Every art for every age & skill level
Theatre
Acting, musicals, lighting & other technical skills
Visual Arts
Painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, digital
Iowa Writers’ Workshop Alum Paul Maisano Launches “The Writer’s Life” Series to Bring Top Writers to Campus
Idyllwild Arts Academy’s newest Creative Writing faculty member Paul Maisano moved to the mountain for…
Announcing New Head of School Jason Hallowbard
After an extensive and thorough search, Idyllwild Arts is pleased to announce Jason Hallowbard as…
Fall Semester 2022 Highlights
As the new semester gets into full swing, we want to take a moment to…
Message from the President
Dear Idyllwild Arts Community, It is with deep sadness that I share with you that…
Message from the President
Dear IAF Community, It is with great sadness that we share the news that Ray…
Idyllwild Arts’ Native American Arts Center: Bringing Our Land Acknowledgement to Life
Idyllwild Arts is thrilled to announce the new Native American Arts Center (NAAC) right here…
Iowa Writers’ Workshop Alum Paul Maisano Launches “The Writer’s Life” Series to Bring Top Writers to Campus
Idyllwild Arts Academy’s newest Creative Writing faculty member Paul Maisano moved to the mountain for…
Announcing New Head of School Jason Hallowbard
After an extensive and thorough search, Idyllwild Arts is pleased to announce Jason Hallowbard as…
Fall Semester 2022 Highlights
As the new semester gets into full swing, we want to take a moment to…