Betty Ginsberg Anderson came to Idyllwild when daughter Gemini started in the Idyllwild Arts theater program. “We thought we’d stay for two years while Gemini finished school,” said Betty. “I’m a beach person and wasn’t sure I’d like the mountains. We came up from San Diego and rented a house. But then I started meeting…
In theater, musical theater especially, one is a “triple threat” if one can sing, dance and act with equal facility. Pine Cove resident Matthew Shaker does it all. He also plays piano, composes, orchestrates and is writing the book, music and lyrics for a new musical. He recently won the 2015 Desert Theater League Award…
Talking with local poet and performer Mick Lynch is a merry experience. No matter the valleys or obstacles he describes in his journey, there is a twinkle in his eye and a lilt in his voice when he tells the tale. And even though every person experiences a unique journey, artists chronicle theirs through their…
Sky Island Natural Foods and Sky Island Organics owner Michael Wangler was on a fast track to a Ph.D. and a college presidency when his passion for food intervened. As artist of the week, Wangler shares with other artists a common bond — a passion for creating something of beauty that affects and touches others….
Idyllwild resident and art therapist Karla Leopold went to Louisiana in 2005 shortly after Hurricane Katrina had devastated New Orleans. With the assistance of Rosie O’Donnell’s “Project Katrina,” Leopold led a team of art therapists to an evacuation center north of Baton Rouge. Their mission was to use art to help survivors process the emotional…
Judson “Judd” Andolina, easy-going and affable, brings an international background to his new job as full-time math teacher at Idyllwild Arts Academy. The Sutter Creek, South Lake Tahoe native has taught in Brazil and Chile and has worked in other capacities in Mexico and Panama. He is married to Chilean native Karina who works at…
Local singer/musician Jac Jacaruso is a warm and familiar presence in Idyllwild’s music and art scene. There are two words that best describe Jacaruso, “duality” and “family” – “duality” in how his career has played out and “family” as the centerpiece of his life. Born in Queens and raised in Brooklyn, Jacaruso remembers his parents…
Dr. Marja Kay developed many areas of expertise in her youth – 17 years of dance classes starting at 3, piano beginning at 6, singing and acting in theatre in high school, and all-around academic proficiency with particular strength in math. She performed well in all areas and always hit her marks. “I had always…
Rene Eram, filmmaker, author and local gallery owner, once made $10,000 a day as a sought-after commercial TV director. He painstakingly sought to compose the perfect visual balance between a glass of orange juice and a bowl of cereal to satisfy ad execs and their clients. While achieving perfect balance on the small screen, he…
Barbara Rayliss, singer, actor and teacher, digs in and finds the soul in everything — the human communion that unites us and the art that elevates us. An Idyllwild resident for the last eight years, she has taught music and drama in Los Angeles-area public schools for 25 years, sung and acted with the Idyllwild…
