Sea Change: Frequently Asked Questions
Sea Change: Pepperdine Youth Arts Intensive is a transformative, seven-day residential experience at Pepperdine University for young artists ages 14–18. The goal of Sea Change is to bridge the gap between rigorous technical training and true vocation, elevating participants' craft while exploring how faith and art intersect.
Participants will reflect with and learn from Pepperdine's renowned faculty and professional mentors in Voice, Musical Theatre, Classical Strings, Piano, and Classical Guitar. Through masterclasses, private lessons, and ensemble rehearsals, young artists will hone their technical skills and artistry. Beyond the studio, the cohort will explore what it means to have a vocation in the arts.
Sea Change will also offer participants opportunities to explore the beautiful surroundings of Malibu, CA, including the beach, mountain trails, and the resort-style amenities of Pepperdine's campus, such as our Olympic-size pool.
Sea Change will enrich the lives of emerging artists as relationships are developed through meaningful shared experiences in the studio, on the stage, and on the beach. Lasting friendships with Pepperdine faculty and mentors will benefit participants as they prepare for college auditions and careers. Most of all, they will meet fellow artists from all over the country, learning together what it means to integrate faith and their artistic craft.
We offer two attendance options:
- Residential ($1500): This covers all expenses once you arrive on campus, including housing, food, the beach excursion, and tuition for all masterclasses and lessons.
- Day Camper ($1050): This covers tuition for all masterclasses, lessons, the beach excursion, and two meals, but does not include housing.
Please note that neither fee covers transportation to and from Pepperdine.
All teaching and directing staff are faculty members in the Fine Arts Division at Pepperdine University.
N. Lincoln Hanks (Director) is a composer, singer, and conductor who specializes in new music and early music.
His works have been performed by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and many others.
His epic solo piano work, Monstre sacré, was recently featured on a CD under Philip
Glass' prestigious Orange Mountain Music label. He conducts the Pickford Ensemble,
Pepperdine's premiere new music group, and has been honored with awards from ASCAP
and the Lilly Fellows Program.
Kelly Todd (Musical Theatre) directs and choreographs for the Pepperdine stage. She is an Ovation Award winner for Best Choreography and has extensive experience in musical theatre education. Recognized for her excellence in the field, she was named Southern California Choreographer of the Year by Stage Scene LA for three consecutive years. Her recent directing credits on the Smothers Stage include acclaimed productions of Curtains, Ragtime, and Big Fish.
Liliana Natalie Buickians (Voice) is an accomplished soprano with extensive opera credits, including roles in Les Contes d'Hoffmann and The Magic Flute, and is a dedicated instructor of vocal technique. An avid recitalist, she has performed numerous times in the Bach Cantata Series and with the Eastman Collegium under the baton of Paul O'Dette. She holds a doctoral degree from the Eastman School of Music and frequently performs as a soloist in cantata series and collegium ensembles.
Beau Benson (Strings) serves as Orchestra Conductor and leads nationally recognized orchestra programs and guest conducts symphonies across the country. A recipient of the Marjorie Keller Young String Teacher of the Year Award, he has also twice placed in the American Prize competition for Orchestral Conducting. Dr. Benson champions American orchestral music through his scholarly research and critical editions of 19th-century works.
Keith Colclough (Voice) is a bass-baritone praised for his "rich, authoritative" voice who maintains an active career on both the operatic and concert stages. A former Fulbright Scholar to Germany, he has been a soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Opera Santa Barbara, and the Sacramento Philharmonic. He has held vocal fellowships at prestigious programs including the Tanglewood Music Center and the Music Academy of the West, and he currently directs the Flora Thornton Opera Program at Pepperdine.
Barry Tan (Piano) is an accomplished pianist who has performed at venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Salzburg Mozarteum. A winner of the Concert Artists International Competition, he has been praised by the Boston Globe for his "mesmerizing performance". His debut album, Solo Piano Works by Ernest Chausson, was recently released to critical acclaim on major streaming platforms.
Kevin Enstrom (Guitar) actively records for film and television and mentors students in performance and recording techniques. His recent commercial work includes session guitar for the Netflix series The Diplomat and the Apple TV series Long Bright River. He is currently spearheading a recording project to produce and record all guitar majors, allowing students to graduate with a full album to jump-start their careers.
Ida Nicolosi (Voice) is recognized for her command of a vast repertoire encompassing opera, oratorio, early music, and musical theatre. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2012 singing a world premiere presented by Distinguished Concerts International New York and has performed with the Spoleto Festival USA, Lincoln Center Festival, and the Gotham Chamber Opera. In addition to her extensive performance career, she is a dedicated pedagogue whose students have gone on to prestigious graduate programs and successful careers in both classical and contemporary music.
Christopher Parkening (Special Artist in Residence) is celebrated as one of the world’s preeminent virtuosos of the classical guitar and has performed at Carnegie Hall and the White House. The Washington Post has cited him as "the leading guitar virtuoso of our day," combining profound musical insight with complete technical mastery. At the heart of his dedication to performance and teaching is a deep commitment to mentorship and faith.
David Wilkinson (Collaborative Piano) received his training at the Manhattan School of Music and the University of Southern California. He has performed in such notable venues as Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, the White House, Wigmore Hall, and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. In addition to his performance career, he has served on the faculties of USC, the Manhattan School of Music, and UC Santa Barbara, bringing a wealth of experience in vocal coaching and chamber music.
Sea Change starts Sunday afternoon, June 14, and ends on Saturday, June 20, 2026.
Young artists ages 14–18 (as of June 14, 2026) who are musicians or theatre students may apply to attend.
The application process requires you to submit an application form and an audition video featuring two contrasting pieces demonstrating proficiency in your specific discipline. The application deadline is April 15. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applicants admitted to Sea Change will be notified by May 15.
Unless it is an emergency, every participant is expected to stay for the entire experience to maintain the integrity of the week and ensure they fully benefit from the program.
Our closing events will be on Saturday, June 20, with a series of exciting concerts open to the public. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend these final performances.
You will stay in one of our awesome Resident Houses during the week. Your bedding
and linens will be provided.
To learn more visit Pepperdine's Housing and Residence Life page and view the residence hall tours below:
Yes, everyone has to find their own way to Pepperdine. We will not provide a Pepperdine shuttle to campus from LAX. Participants must arrange their own ground transportation to the Malibu campus.
Our Sea Change counselors are current Pepperdine music and theatre majors who have been selected based upon their artistic excellence and commitment to mentorship.
Parents and others can reach the Fine Arts Division staff and get messages to participants at 310-506-4462.