Janet Fitch’s three novels—White Oleander (1999), Paint it Black (2006), and The Revolution of Marina M. (2017)—make her supremely qualified to lead the April 5-7 Spring Writers Retreat on the Idyllwild Arts campus. But she points out that Idyllwild is also…
Greetings from Idyllwild, February is African American History Month in the United States. As the month approaches, I am reminded of the countless plays and memorized speeches we were taught to give in celebration of African Americans when I was…
"Tipping is considered an insult in Japan," according to tenth-grade Theatre major Miko Ukaji, and eleventh-grade Cello major Heng-Li "Henry" Lin adds that "coming from Taiwan, I would naturally call my ESL teacher 'Teacher Harry.'" Idyllwild Arts Academy ESL teacher…
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…
Pictured Above: Michael Two Bulls, Peter Strong, and magpie. "Wakan Tanka—the Great Spirit—decided to end the world’s chaos by organizing a race whose winners would bring order." Peter Strong was explaining why he and his wife, Mary Bordeaux, had named…
The college essay’s importance is suggested by the fact that some high school composition instructors spend weeks teaching it. That’s for two pages of writing that requires no research and doesn’t need to be a literary masterpiece. Without trying to…
Greetings, There is a chill in our mountain air which means that the school year is well underway. Students are planning for their first performances and exhibits and our Enrollment Management team is already recruiting for next year’s class. It…
EYE ON ALUMNI: Clay Alexander Drop into a Starbucks and there's a pretty good chance you'll run across something invented by Clay Alexander, who graduated from Idyllwild Arts Academy in 1994. Nearly 4,600 Starbucks stores carry the temperature control Ember Ceramic…
Student Spotlight: Vela Perez Casiano Someone who didn’t know Vela Perez Casiano might have misinterpreted her first words at the Idyllwild Arts Academy Music Department’s Songwriters Concert, held outdoors on a perfect evening on September 29. “I have good news:…
