Arts-X-Press Counselors
The arts-X-press counselor program offers individuals between the ages of 16 to 21 a chance to lead and mentor students through a week of taking creative risks and embracing the magic of each moment. Throughout their week at arts-X-press, counselors serve as guides and role models for their students while also gaining experience with mentorship, cultivating their own leadership skills, and growing in their own journey of self-expression and personal development.
Counselors live in the dorms with the students and are their first line of support for learning about themselves through the arts. Many are alums of the program, so they come with experience of knowing exactly what this magical week has in store for our arts-X-press students.
More About the Counselor Role
From wake-up to lights out, arts-X-press counselors guide students throughout each day at arts-X-press. Counselors are assigned in pairs or trios to oversee groups of students in the dorms, workshops, group activities, and nightly performance experiences. Though the schedule varies by day, a typical day for an arts-X-press counselor starts at 7:30 a.m. with wake-up and ends at 10:30 p.m. with lights out.
Counselors can expect to carry out the following duties:
- Support and engage students in a variety of settings throughout the day
- Wake up students each day
- Supervise nighttime routines and lead students in nightly reflections
- Participate in workshops, assisting instructors as necessary
- Engage students in conversation and activities during meals and transitional times
- Chaperone students at nightly performances
- Assist students who are feeling homesick
- Work together to coordinate and produce the student talent show
- Alert senior staff to any health or safety concerns
Benefits of Becoming an arts-X-press Counselor
At arts-X-press, we are committed to cultivating counselors’ leadership skills during their time with us. Counselors are surrounded by mentors at arts-X-press: the director, the senior staff members, administrative staff, and lead counselors, who all serve as coaches throughout counselors’ leadership journey.
Counselors develop leadership skills that not only will equip them for their role as a counselor at arts-X-press, but also for future leadership positions. Some of the skills strengthened through the counselor role include:
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Problem Solving
- Creativity
- Initiative and Empowerment
- Communication
- Empathy
All counselors receive credit for 100 volunteer hours for the time they spend in training, independent preparation, and on-duty service. Over the course of those 100 hours, counselors not only develop their leadership skills, but also cultivate a network of mentors and peers, bond with students, and create lifelong memories.
“As a counselor at arts-X-press, I was able to really be and show my authentic self, which I think is really helpful when being a leader. Being a counselor was one of the best things this summer for sure. All the counselors were so nice, funny, caring, and so willing to share any advice they had if I ever had a problem or concern from their previous experiences. I can’t stop talking about the experience!”
— Annie, arts-X-press counselor
Join our team of arts-X-press counselors
Are you between the ages of 16-21, love the arts, and want to gain leadership skills while mentoring middle school and early high school students as they explore their creativity? Apply to join our team of arts-X-press counselors! The application process involves three steps:
1. Complete the online arts-X-press counselor application
2. Submit a letter of recommendation
3. Complete an interview with arts-X-press directors
Counselors are chosen and assignments are finalized after all counselor interviews are completed, typically in May of each year.
Counselor applications for arts-X-press 2025 are now available!
Applications are due by Monday, April 7, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time). Late applications will not be considered
Questions?
Contact us by email at arts-X-press@pacificsymphony.org.