History

Hidden Valley Music Seminars was born out of a deep concern for the development of extraordinarily talented young artists.  Programs in the fields of music, theatre, opera and dance have occupied most of the time and energies of the staff and faculty since its inception in 1963.  Hidden Valley began in Southern California and was 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 from Southern California to the Monterey Peninsula.  For two years, the summer seminars were presented 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 Trustees continued their search for a permanent home.  Finally, in 1972, Hidden Valley moved to its present location in Carmel Valley: a rustic, ten-acre site nestled in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range.  In March of 2003, a generous grant made it possible to complete acquisition of the campus and its buildings.

In an effort to broaden the scope of its offerings, Hidden Valley began exploring the theatre field, first with a children's theatre group and then with a series of musicals presented in 1972 and 1973.  These explorations, coupled with the plan to develop Hidden Valley into a year-round Institute of the Arts, eventually led to the establishment of the Opera Ensemble in 1974.  The opera program grew rapidly, becoming one of the most 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 from around the world have benefitted from the teaching of some of the great musicians of our time.  The Dance Center was initiated in 1973 and, through enthusiastic community support, became one of the most popular of Hidden Valley's programs.

In 1983 Hidden Valley joined the educational centers worldwide which were offering Elderhostel programs.  Within four years, Hidden Valley became one of the 75 "supersites" in America presenting at least 40 Elderhostel/Road Scholar weeks per year.  The interaction between Road Scholars and our community has become one of the exciting aspects of the Institute's campus life.

The constant thread  throughout Hidden Valley's existence has been an 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 wonderful local community and an international musical family, we treasure our connections to friends and supporters.  We pledge our unwavering dedication to quality and substance in all aspects of our work."

The following great artists have taught, performed, and/or studied at Hidden Valley.