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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥攄ancers 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 蜜桃直播 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 蜜桃直播 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 鈥� 10:00 am: Conditioning for dance
• 10:15 am 鈥� 11:45 am: Contemporary Dance Technique
• 11:45 am 鈥� 12:15 pm: Musical Theater Dance
• 12:30 pm 鈥� 1:30 pm: Lunch
• 1:30 pm 鈥� 2:45 pm: Jazz or Ballet technique
• 3:00 pm 鈥� 4:15 pm: Hip Hop
• 4:30 pm 鈥� 6:00 pm: Rehearsal

Ellen Rosa-Taylor is currently the Chair of the Dance Department at 蜜桃直播, as well as the Director of the 蜜桃直播 Children鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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 鈥渁 unique jazz ballet style.鈥� As a dance educator, Ellen is an ABT Affiliate Teacher for levels Primary 鈥� 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鈥檚 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 鈥� 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鈥檚 鈥淏atette Follies of 1939鈥� at Hollywood鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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 蜜桃直播 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鈥檚 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鈥檝e 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 蜜桃直播 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 蜜桃直播 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.聽

-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鈥檚 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 蜜桃直播 and chairs Songwriting for 蜜桃直播 蜜桃直播 & 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鈥檚 since their inception in 2012. His newest project, 鈥楳odern Original鈥�, 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