Commercial Dance

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—dancers 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 Summer 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 Idyllwild Arts 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 – 10:00 am: Conditioning for dance
• 10:15 am – 11:45 am: Contemporary Dance Technique
• 11:45 am – 12:15 pm: Musical Theater Dance
• 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm: Lunch
• 1:30 pm – 2:45 pm: Jazz or Ballet technique
• 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm: Hip Hop
• 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm: Rehearsal

Ellen Rosa-Taylor is currently the Chair of the Dance Department at Idyllwild Arts Academy, as well as the Director of the Idyllwild Arts Children’s 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’s 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’s 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 “a unique jazz ballet style.” As a dance educator, Ellen is an ABT Affiliate Teacher for levels Primary – 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’s 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 – 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’s “Batette Follies of 1939“ at Hollywood’s 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’s 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’s 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 Idyllwild Arts 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’s to learn more about our summer programs