At Idyllwild Arts day and boarding school, our Dance Department immerses you in a dancer’s life.

Intense training and the passion for dance of our teachers will transform you into the best artist you can be. Trust us to help you gain the strength and coordination that dance requires.

We feature a multi-discipline dance program that offers the ABT curriculum in ballet as well as cutting-edge modern and jazz.

To develop your mind we have an excellent academic program, which includes an English as a Second Language Department that helps international students become fluent in the global language of dance—English.

All students receive personal attention in an environment geared toward success.

Martha Graham, the legendary modern director, choreographer, and dancer, said that “Dancers are great because of their passion.”

If dance is your passion, let Idyllwild Arts help you make it your life.

The Dance major is designed to provide students with the technical and artistic versatility required to advance in the professional dance world. Ballet plays a crucial role in the education a Dance major receives with a focus on classical technique emphasizing healthy movement habits. Dancers are also required to take modern and jazz dance each year they are enrolled in the program. The Dance Department puts on two main stage productions as well as studio works throughout the year, including student choreography.

Candidates for the Dance major are encouraged to audition on campus or during an audition tour. If a live audition is not possible, candidates must submit an American format DVD or provide an online audition on a site such as YouTube containing the following:

Exercises at the barre (5 minutes): Students should stand sideways in relationship to the camera. Females should not wear skirts. Pliés, Battements tendus, Battements dégagés, Ronds de jambe a terre, Battements fondus, Battement frappés, Ronds de jambe en l’air, Grands battements, Développés.

In the centre (5 minutes): Pirouettes en dehors and en dedans, Adagio with développés, a combination with chainés, a combination with small jumps and, if possible, beats, a combination with big jumps.

For females who have worked en pointe: Exercises performed at the barre and/or a center variation.

Jazz or Modern Combination (5 minutes): We are looking to see present technical level, body potential and movement quality/love of dance.

Students should include a 5 x 7 photo taken in first arabesque.

For Specific questions regarding the Dance admission process contact:
Andrea Chesley at 951.659.2171 x2344 or achesley@idyllwildarts.org

The Idyllwild Arts Children’s Dance Program was developed in 2015 by Idyllwild Arts Academy Dance Chair, Ellen Rosa-Taylor, with a two-fold mission:

1. To bring dance training to the children of the town of Idyllwild ages 3-13
2. To give hands on teacher training to the junior and senior dance majors of Idyllwild Arts Academy.

Classes are held on Saturday mornings from 9:30-12:15 on the campus of Idyllwild Arts. Each year there is a culmination performance in the Lowman Concert Hall in which each child has the opportunity to perform in front of a live audience.

For more information on this program please contact: Ellen Rosa-Taylor at erosa@idyllwildarts.org
To register for this program please contact: Sharon Barr at summer@idyllwildarts.org or 951.659.2171 x2367