Message from the President and Head of School

Greetings from Idyllwild,

For many of us, November begins a season of reflection and gratitude. These final weeks of the semester are also a special time for our students as they present their hard work to one another and our community. They are proud of their accomplishments and grateful to the teachers who challenge them and help them meet their ambitious goals.

IAA alum Neal Beasley ’00 expressed this sentiment well when he said, “My time at Idyllwild was the cornerstone of my artistic development. The nurturing faculty—with their relentless encouragement, attention, and care—combined with the presence of like-minded, devoted young artists, fostered a profound sense of possibility, an abiding work ethic, and a core belief in myself as a person and artist. These qualities have paved the way for my life and career, and I consider myself extremely fortunate to have called Idyllwild home during such formative years.”

Providing an environment that is conducive to learning, exploring, creating, failing, trying again, and succeeding has been essential to our ability to provide a unique education to young artists from around the world. Preparing students to lead successful lives during uncertain times is the charge of all schools today and we are grateful for the many people who partner with us and help fulfill this goal.

During this holiday season, we express our gratitude and appreciation to our entire community. We thank them for caring about our students and helping us create a learning environment that is not only a school but also a home.

On behalf of IA’s Board of Trustees, staff, faculty, and students, we offer our heartfelt wish for a wonderful holiday season.

Warmly,

Pamela Jordan
President and Head of School