Dance Intensive

Students returning from 2026 will be accepted without an audition, but are still asked to submit a video to assist with planning purposes. Students who are new to Dance Intensive must submit a video audition for acceptance.

The Dance Intensive requires a video audition for acceptance. Please submit a 1-minute video showing you dancing in your favorite style of either ballet, modern or jazz. This can be a performance video or 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 three years of dance training in ballet, modern or jazz for this art of movement intensive. The training is rigorous—dancers will be in class and rehearsals for about 6-8 hours per day. On the first day, after an audition placement, dancers will be split into training levels based on experience (not based on age). Careful consideration will be given to place students into a group that will be most advantageous to each participant.

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, 2027
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

Female Ballet:

• Pink or flesh tone tights
• Leotard (any color, but please bring a black one for your performance)
• Clean ballet shoes
• Pointe shoes (if applicable)

Male Ballet:

• Black tights
• Plain black or white T-shirt (no writing/graphics)
• Dance belt
• Ballet shoes

Modern (All):

• Dance shorts or open-toe tights, preferably black
• Knee pads, preferably black
• T-shirts or leotards (no writing/graphics)

Jazz (All):

• Jazz Shoes

Hip Hop (All) :

• Colorful street clothes
• Sneakers

A typical day will follow this guideline:

• 8:30 am – 9:30 am: Conditioning for dance
• 9:30 am – 11:00 am: Ballet with pointe or pre-pointe
• 11:00 am – 12:30 pm: Musical Theater Dance
• 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm: Lunch
• 1:30 pm – 2:45 pm: Modern or Choreography
• 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm: Jazz or Hip Hop
• 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm: Rehearsal

• Haihua Cheung
• Yuka Fukuda
• Chadwick Gaspard
• Nola Gibson
• Chad Michael Hall
• Marlon Pelayo

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 as a ballerina 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.

Jonathan Sharp was trained at the National Academy of the Arts and the School of American Ballet, the official school of the New York City Ballet. While on full scholarship at SAB, he was trained by master teachers Stanley Williams, Peter Martins, Andrea Kramarevsky, Suzanne Farrell, Alexandra Danilova, Suki Schorer, and Sean Lavery. He danced professionally with the Boston Ballet, the Pennsylvania Ballet, and the touring Stars of American Ballet, headlined by Robert LaFosse and Darci Kistler. He has appeared on Broadway in the original casts of The Red Shoes, Carousel (1994 Tony winner for Best Revival), The Rocky Horror Show Live, The Dance of the Vampires, and Fiddler on the Roof. He has also appeared on television as a contract player on Another World, and he has guest-starred on Law and Order and Gilmore Girls. He has taught at Idyllwild Arts Academy for thirteen years, and he also teaches and directs internationally. He is currently Associate Director of Inland Pacific Ballet and a principal guest teacher with Pacific Festival Ballet.

Check out our Kids & Teens FAQ’s to learn more about our summer programs