Eric Bolton, MSW received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts from Cal State Los Angeles in 1991 and his Master of Social Work degree from the University of Utah in 2013. A Southern California native, Eric is an alum of Idyllwild Arts Summer Program (when it was known as ISOMATA), having sung in the Festival Choir three consecutive summers.

He has worked as a professional actor, private voice teacher, and customer service supervisor for Center Theatre Group and the LA Phil prior to pursuing experience in clinical social work. His graduate work included therapist training at Salt Lake Community College’s Health and Wellness Services’ counseling center. In addition, he facilitated interim groups for those seeking substance abuse treatment through the University of Utah’s Assessment and Referral Services. He worked at The Road Home homeless shelter in Salt Lake City as a case manager, and has served as a Medical Social Worker in the field of home health and hospice.

Eric has extensive experience in the field of addiction treatment, having worked as Director at Desert Comprehensive Treatment Center in Palm Springs, and as CEO of Duffy’s Napa Valley Rehab. From 2019-2021, Eric worked as Idyllwild Arts Transportation Manager. Social workers are agents of change, and Eric firmly believes in Idyllwild Arts Academy’s stated mission of changing lives through the transformative power of art.