Hidden Valley Music Seminars

Description

Hidden Valley Music Seminars was born out of a deep concern for the development of extraordinary talented young artists. Programs in the field of music, theatre and dance have occupied most of the time and energy of the staff and faculty of the Institute since its inception in 1962. Hidden Valley was begun in Southern California, and named for its first site in the Angeles National Forest. The first several years of its existence, the staff concentrated on the high school Summer Music Seminars. The programs eventually outgrew the original location, and in 1967 moved its operations from Southern California to the Monterey Peninsula. For two years, the summer programs were held on the campus of the Robert Louis Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, and for three years, they were conducted on the campus of the York School in Monterey. Meanwhile, the administration continued its intensive search for a permanent home. Finally, in 1972, Hidden Valley moved to its present location in Carmel Valley: a rustic, 10-acre site nestled in the foothills of the Santa Lucias. In an effort to broaden the scope of its program, Hidden Valley began exploring the area of theatre, first with a children's theatre group, then with a series of musicals presented at the Sunset Center in 1972 and 1973. These explorations, coupled with a desire on the part of the administration to develop Hidden Valley into a year-round Institute of the Arts, eventually led to the establishment of the Opera Ensemble in 1974. Since that time, the Opera program has grown tremendously, becoming one of the most widely-respected training ensembles in the country. The Master Class concept has always been a part of the Hidden Valley project, and through the years, students have been exposed to the talents of innumerable artists. The Dance Program was initiated in 1973, and through enthusiastic community support, has become one of the most popular of Hidden Valley programs. In 1983 Hidden Valley joined the educational centers worldwide which were offering Elderhostel programs. Within four years Hidden Valley became on of the 75 supersites in America presenting at least 40 Elderhostel weeks per year. The interaction between the older and younger students has become one of the exciting aspects of the Institutes campus life. The constant thread throughout Hidden Valley's existence has been uncompromising interest in the careful selection of students and faculty to represent the highest quality of each possible. Founder and General Director Peter T. Meckel notes: "As members of a community, we are aware of our obligation to our friends and supporters. We pledge our unwavering dedication to quality and substance in all aspects of our work." If you would like more information about Hidden Valley please write to us at: Hidden Valley Music Seminars P.O. Box 116, Carmel Valley, CA 93924 Phone: (831) 659-3115 Fax: (831) 659-7442 e-mail: hvms@aol.com Updated March 4, 2001 URL: http://HiddenValleyMusic.org/history.htm Return to Hidden Valley home page

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