LET’S
TALK
ABOUT Interlochen Arts Academy
Let’s Talk About Interlochen Arts Academy
Interlochen Arts Academy is the nation’s premier boarding arts high school. Students pursue preprofessional training in their chosen artistic discipline alongside a robust academic curriculum, preparing them to excel in the arts and beyond.
BOARDING AND DAY SCHOOL
The boarding experience at Interlochen Arts Academy fosters a tight-knit, multicultural community that prepares students for communal living in college. Roughly 90% of our Academy students board, with 10% of our student body commuting from the greater Traverse City area as day students.
GRADES 9-12 AND POSTGRADUATE OFFERINGS
Interlochen Arts Academy operates as a traditional four-year high school with a postgraduate year option. Although students may enroll at any grade level, entering as a freshman provides the full advantage of the Interlochen experience.
A HOLISTIC EDUCATION
At Interlochen Arts Academy, our academic curriculum merges seamlessly with our rigorous artistic training. Academic instructors encourage students to discover the connections between creativity and intellect by incorporating the arts into their lessons. Faculty in all fields collaborate to help students maintain a healthy balance.
Our social-emotional learning program, The Interlochen 5, builds on Interlochen’s co-curricular model to emphasize character development. Through regular Residence
Life and advisory programming, students consciously develop five key capacities:
• Mindfulness, Wellness, and Resilience
• Creative Capacity
• Global and Cultural Perspective
• Interdisciplinary Perspective and Collaboration
• Community and Citizen Artistry
Let’s Talk About Values
Our student body is composed of unique, talented, and empathetic young artists. Together with their faculty and staff, our students uphold a community that is:
INSPIRING NURTURING TRANSFORMATIVE ENLIGHTENING RESILIENT
Through intensive arts training, inspiring academics, and integrated social-emotional learning, Academy students hone their talent, expand their creative capacity, and forge unbreakable bonds. They emerge with refined skills, global perspectives, and a collaborative spirit, with the confidence to fully pursue their aspirations. At Interlochen, you’ll discover how to transform passion and potential into purpose as an empathetic citizen artist.
SUSTAINABILITY
We are committed to protecting and preserving our natural resources. Our sustainable community features a campuswide composting facility; water-saving appliances; a botanical laboratory and
community garden; and more. Interlochen Arts Academy was named a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School in 2019. In 2023, Interlochen ratified its first-ever Climate Action Plan, outlining strategies and goals for promoting sustainable practices on Interlochen’s campus and beyond. Interlochen is also partnering with Consumers Energy to power 30% of campus operations with Michigan-sourced renewable energy.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to the Interlochen experience. We embrace our four pillars—education, transparency, vulnerability, and accountability—to create a more inclusive community. We encourage the notion of an intellectual and artistic community enriched and enhanced by diversity both in and out of classrooms along a number of dimensions, including race, ethnicity, national origins, gender, gender identity, sexuality, socioeconomic class, age, religion, abilities, learning styles, and all their intersections. Our founding principle, to promote “world friendship through the universal language of the arts,” both inspires and informs our values.
Let’s Talk About Arts Majors
Interlochen Arts Academy students major in one of seven arts disciplines:
CREATIVE WRITING
DANCE
FILM & NEW MEDIA
INTERDISCIPLINARY ARTS
MUSIC THEATRE
VISUAL ARTS
All majors allow students to customize their course load to suit their talents, interests, and professional goals. Small class sizes and a low student-to-faculty ratio ensure each student receives one-on-one instruction and mentorship. Our faculty and counselors meet regularly with students to discuss their goals and develop an individualized curricular plan to prepare them for their next steps.
Opportunities for multi-disciplinary study and collaboration abound. Academy students are encouraged to explore elective classes, enroll in interdisciplinary coursework, and collaborate with fellow students—both inside and outside the classroom. Recent interdisciplinary collaborations have premiered at Carnegie Hall and National Sawdust in New York City and the New World Center in Miami. In 2023, Interlochen Arts Academy students performed side-by-side with world-class New York Philharmonic musicians in the newly renovated David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center. In 2024, Interlochen Arts Academy will premiere Dr. Bill Banfield’s original opera Edmonia, a multidisciplinary dramatization of the life of African American and Native American sculptor Edmonia Lewis.
Creative Writing
The Creative Writing major nurtures young writers’ talent, stimulates their imagination, and broadens their command of the writer’s craft. Fiction, poetry, and nonfiction workshops form the core of the program, and students also engage in a variety of electives. Proficiency in a broad range of genres builds versatility and control, preparing students for the rigors of college-level work as well as publication. Through individualized mentorship and intensive workshops, students develop an awareness of their strengths and challenges, while expanding their patience and self-discipline. Students leave the program with a portfolio of carefully revised work in a variety of genres.
Prospective Creative Writing majors are encouraged to apply to the Virginia B. Ball Creative Writing Scholarship Competition for a chance to win a full-tuition scholarship. Details are available at interlochen.org/write.
STUDENT AWARDS AND HONORS
The Creative Writing program boasts 20 Presidential Scholars in the Arts, three National Student Poets, scholarship awards in the National Writers Series, and a winner of the Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers. Creative writing students frequently place as finalists in the YoungArts competition and have received numerous Scholastic Art & Writing Awards including Gold and Silver Medals, Silver Medals with Distinction, and an American Voices Medal in the national level of the competition.
FACILITIES
The Writing House
• The only building in the nation dedicated to high school creative writing
• Great Room with sound/lighting systems for public readings
• Numerous comfortable, quiet writing spaces
• Indoor and outdoor fireplaces
STUDENT READING AND PUBLISHING OPPORTUNITIES
• Edit and contribute to student publications including the quarterly print journal The Red Wheelbarrow and the international online magazine The Interlochen Review
• Participate in student readings throughout the year
RECENT GUEST ARTISTS
Hanif Abdurraqib
Poet, essayist, and cultural critic
Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
New York Times best-selling author of Friday Black
Quan Barry
Agnes Lynch Starrett Poetry
Prize-winning poet and novelist
Rebecca Dunham
T.S. Eliot Prize-winning poet
Tessa Fontaine
Author, The Electric Woman
Ross Gay
New York Times best-selling poet and essayist, The Book of Delights
Garth Greenwell (IAA 94-96)
Author, Cleanness
Tyehimba Jess
Pulitzer Prize-winning poet
T Kira Madden
Author, Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls
Rebecca Makkai
Author, The Great Believers
Adrian Matejka
Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and editor of Poetry magazine
Analicia Sotelo
Author and winner of the Jake Adam York Prize
Marcus Wicker
Winner of the National Poetry Series
Dance
The Dance major offers preprofessional training to instill the discipline and skill necessary to pursue dance at premier higher education programs and as a career.
Academy dancers study both classical and contemporary dance. Students spend three to five hours per day in classes such as classical ballet technique, pointe, pas de deux, character dance, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, and other genres. The program places a strong emphasis on rehearsing for public performances.
Academy dancers have regular opportunities to audition for college and university programs, professional companies, and summer intensives.
The Dance Division consults with academic faculty and support services to provide for the unique educational, emotional, and physical needs of young dancers. Specialists in nutritional counseling, dance medicine, and related arts fields work closely with dance faculty and students to encourage healthy and safe practices.
STUDENT AWARDS AND HONORS
Academy dance students have received numerous awards through the National YoungArts Foundation. Dancers are also frequently selected to participate in the Youth America Grand Prix.
FACILITIES
The Dance Center
• 26,000-square-foot, light-filled lakeside facility
• Five state-of-the-art studios with vaulted ceilings
• Professionally designed barres, sprungwood floors, professional lighting grids, and cutting-edge sound systems
• Fitness and training room
• Dressing areas for students, faculty, and guests
• Spacious outdoor deck
STUDENT PERFORMANCES
Dance students present two full-length classical ballets annually; recent productions include The Nutcracker, Romeo & Juliet, Cinderella, and The Sleeping Beauty, all of which featured professional scenic and costume design. Our annual production of The Nutcracker also features live accompaniment by the Arts Academy Orchestra.
Additionally, students perform fully produced showcases featuring works by modern masters and original choreography, and participate in touring productions: recent venues include New World Center in Miami and The Joyce Theater and Carnegie Hall in New York City.
RECENT GUEST ARTISTS
Leslie Browne
Academy Award nominee, The Turning Point
Kenya Clay
Commercial choreographer and faculty, Millennium Dance Complex
Craig Hall Ballet Master, New York City Ballet
Virginia Johnson
Artistic Director, Dance Theatre of Harlem
Julie Kent
Artistic Director, Washington Ballet, star of movie Center Stage
Fana Tesfagiorgis (IAA 02-06)
Ensemble, national tour, My Fair Lady
Wendy Whelan
Associate Artistic Director, New York City Ballet
Film & New Media
In the Film & New Media major, students learn the art and craft of storytelling and multimedia production through critical studies and hands-on experience. The curriculum guides students through progressive, interdisciplinary, and collaborative courses in digital video, screenwriting, film history, and related arts. Students also have the opportunity to explore game design, animation, and new media creation. Screenwriting workshops help students develop storytelling skills and learn the narrative structure of a film. Production classes explore the visual and aural aspects of filmmaking, such as cinematography, lighting, music, sound, directing, and editing. Electives from other arts majors expand students’ appreciation of the components that make up a film. Students graduate with strong experience in writing, producing, directing, and editing their own projects.
ANIMATION
Students majoring in Animation learn to craft compelling visual narratives in both physical and digital media with an emphasis on international animation. Students explore storyboarding, animation principles, and a broad variety of techniques. They organize a portfolio of animated works suitable for the pursuit of higher education while honing the skills needed to thrive in a variety of animationrelated careers.
STUDENT AWARDS AND HONORS
• All American High School Film Festival
• Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
• National Film Festival for Talented Youth
• Cannes Film Festival Pavilion
• Panavision New Filmmaker Grant
• National YoungArts Foundation
FACILITIES
Aaron and Helen L. DeRoy Center for Film Studies
• The only facility in the nation dedicated to high school film studies
• 178-seat projection space
• Four editing suites
• Sound stage
• Classrooms equipped with cutting-edge technology
• 24 residential rooms prioritized to film students
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
• Share your projects at Film & New Media showcases, thesis screenings, and capstone presentations
• Screen your work at regional film festivals
• Work with the Interlochen Cinema Collective to create fully-realized professional film productions
• Collaborate with the Greenacres Foundation to produce a documentary film exploring the impact of regenerative agriculture
RECENT GUEST ARTISTS
Michael Abels
Composer for Jordan Peele’s Us and Get Out
Eric Deggans
NPR TV Critic
Robert Eggers
Director of Oscar Award-nominated film The Lighthouse
Ludwig Göransson
Emmy, Oscar, and Grammy-winning composer known for Black Panther, The Mandalorian, and Childish Gambino’s “This is America”
Peter Gould
Executive Producer, Breaking Bad
Nathan Johnson
Composer, Knives Out
Norman Lear
Television producer, All in the Family
Meg LeFauve
Screenwriter, Pixar’s Inside Out
David Lynch
Director, Dune, Eraserhead, Twin Peaks
David Rabinowitz
Screenwriter, BlacKkKlansman
Jennifer Sperry Steinorth (IAA 90-92)
Author, Her Read and A Wake with Nine Shades; poet; interdisciplinary artist
Angie Thomas
Author, The Hate U Give
Interdisciplinary Arts
The Interdisciplinary Arts major attracts young artists with skills and interests in multiple artistic disciplines. With a curriculum designed to accommodate exploration across arts areas, students participate in a daily studio class as well as core classes in contemporary arts performance and culture, arts leadership/ management, and portfolio development. Independent studies, collaborative projects, individual studio time, arts electives, and guest artist instruction are also key components of the Interdisciplinary Arts major. Students may choose to participate in the Interdisciplinary Performance Collaboration, a year-long course open to all majors and grade levels that culminates in an original presentation in the spring. Through an innovative curriculum, interdisciplinary arts students pursue their individual artistic interests and develop vital leadership skills while cultivating a uniquely informed passion for the arts.
STUDENT AWARDS AND HONORS
• American Voices Medal, Gold Medal, Silver Medal, Silver Key, and Honorable Mentions in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
• Ambassador Leadership Summit at Johns Hopkins University selectee
FACILITIES
Interdisciplinary arts students enjoy utilizing a variety of spaces across campus, including:
• Phoenix Theatre – 200-seat black box theatre for performances and master classes
• Interdisciplinary Arts Suite – A recently renovated learning and collaboration space composed of a fully equipped black box theatre and tech-enabled classrooms
STUDENT PERFORMANCES
Academy Cafe
Each semester, interdisciplinary arts students produce and host open-mic sessions known as the Academy Cafe. These performances are open to both interdisciplinary arts students and peers from other arts disciplines.
Interdisciplinary Performances
Interdisciplinary arts students perform at least one showcase every year. Recent collaborations include the original production RESOLVE, presented at National Sawdust in Brooklyn; ONE, which premiered at the New World Center in Miami; and MUKTI at David Geffen Hall in New York City.
RECENT GUEST ARTISTS
Sydney James Harcourt (AS 94, 97, IAA 94-97)
Grammy Award-winning vocalist and Broadway actor
Jamie John (IAA 15-19)
Multimedia and visual artist, 2021 Sundance Institute Full Circle Fellow
Christina Seymour
Actor, director, and educator
Jennifer Sperry Steinorth (IAA 90-92)
Author, Her Read and A Wake with Nine Shades; poet; interdisciplinary artist
Music: Classical Performance and Composition
The classical music program, which offers a choice of performance and composition tracks, prepares students for the rigors of study at the university and conservatory level. Advanced music theory classes and weekly private lessons prepare students to put their skills into practice in a variety of ensembles, including orchestra, wind symphony, chamber singers, choir, brass ensemble, and more. These ensembles have a global reputation for excellence, serving as reading ensembles for composition students and enabling performance students to develop concert experience and sight-reading skills, as well as knowledge of a diverse and challenging repertoire.
STUDENT AWARDS AND HONORS
• National Merit Finalists
• Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition Junior Division Silver Medalists
• Bolz Young Artist Competition First Prize
• ASCAP Young Composer Award
• National Youth Orchestra selectees
FACILITIES
Music Center
State-of-the-art, 60,000 square-foot facility
opened in 2019 that includes:
• Two large rehearsal spaces
• Nine small ensemble rehearsal rooms
• Convertible performance/classroom spaces
• Recording and sound production studios
• Instrument storage and repair facilities
Corson Auditorium
• 952-seat auditorium
• Excellent acoustics and professional sound/lighting system
• Full orchestra pit
Dendrinos Chapel and Recital Hall
• Intimate, 230-seat venue
• 50-rank Reuter pipe organ
STUDENT PERFORMANCES
Classical musicians enjoy abundant and diverse performance opportunities. Large ensemble performances, solo recitals, and chamber concerts are all facets of the rigorous and well-balanced music curriculum. Orchestra students gain experience as pit musicians through theatre and dance productions.
RECENT GUEST ARTISTS
Dr. Bill Banfield, Composer and librettist
Maximilian Dimoff
Principal bassist, Cleveland Orchestra
Marcus Elliot
Saxophonist, composer, improviser, and educator; 2020 Kresge Artist Fellow
Sir James Galway
Internationally renowned flutist
Nicholas Goluses
Professor of Guitar, Eastman School of Music
Carol Jantsch (IAC 94-96, 98-99; IAA 99-02)
Principal Tuba, Philadelphia Orchestra
Lora Schaefer (IAC 89, IAA 89-91)
Oboist, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Yizhak Schotten
Professor of Viola, University of Michigan
Gerard Schwarz
Conductor
Music: Contemporary
The contemporary music program imparts the skills aspiring musicians need to thrive in the commercial music industry. Students pursue a well-rounded curriculum that provides instruction in both the technical and business aspects of life as a contemporary musician. Students can choose from several tracks, including popular performance, jazz performance, and singer-songwriter.
POPULAR PERFORMANCE
The popular performance track attracts ambitious and disciplined students seeking to develop their artistry. Students learn key aspects of performance, including how to communicate with an audience, effective rehearsal techniques, individual practice strategies, constructing lead sheets, and more.
JAZZ PERFORMANCE
Students in the jazz performance track learn from a world-class faculty and perform alongside other talented young musicians. Within a varied repertoire, they have the opportunity to participate in a jazz orchestra as well as smaller jazz combos.
SINGER-SONGWRITER
Singer-songwriters foster their personal musical style while developing skills in melody, arranging, lyric-writing, and communicating with an audience. This program provides instruction to further students’ abilities as multi-instrumentalists.
STUDENT AWARDS AND HONORS
• YoungArts winners
• NEA Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge
• Gold Key and Honorable Mentions from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
STUDENT PERFORMANCES
Contemporary musicians perform regularly both on and off our campus, including local and regional concerts, student-led Academy Cafes, multi-city tours, and more.
RECENT GUEST ARTISTS
The Accidentals
Contemporary indie band founded by two Arts Academy alumnae
Carmen Bradford
Grammy Award-nominated jazz vocalist
Robert Hurst
Grammy Award-winning jazz bassist; Associate Professor of Jazz & Contemporary Improvisation, University of Michigan
Lauren Jones (IAC 12, IAA 12-14)
Singer-songwriter, University of Southern California
Sean Jones
Jazz trumpeter, Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University
Quiana Lynell
Award-winning American jazz vocalist
OK Go
Rock band
Lindsey Ray
Musician and songwriter
Andy Stott
Music producer and singer-songwriter, Royal Northern College of Music
Ava Suppelsa (IAA 13-15)
Songwriter
Laurin Talese
Jazz vocalist, United States cultural ambassador with American Music Abroad
Music Production & Engineering
Music production and engineering students work directly and collaboratively with artists, composers, songwriters, musicians, and other engineers, designers, and producers to create high-quality recording and technology projects in a professional production environment. Students explore current practices and innovations in music technology, using digital audio workstations including Pro Tools, Ableton, and Logic. They learn electronic musicianship, music production, and key aspects of recording and production—from recording session set-up and microphone placement to signal flow and mixdown. Additionally, students master professional studio protocol and develop critical listening skills, as well as the aesthetic, communication, and organizational competencies vital to successful producers and engineers.
HANDS-ON LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Music production and engineering students collaborate and apply their skills through partnerships with several campus departments. Students provide support for their classical and contemporary performance peers by working with the Interlochen Presents professional team to produce and record live performances. They also collaborate with student musicians to produce professional-quality recordings for college applications and public dissemination. The program also works closely with Interlochen Public Radio, an NPR member station. In this role, students produce and host an on-air program featuring music by current and former Academy students.
FACILITIES
Music Center recording studio:
• Cutting-edge equipment
• Digital and analog workflows
• Mechanical isolation
• Control room windows for visual access into isolation booths
RECENT GUEST ARTISTS
Ruby Amanfu
Songwriter and vocalist
Sam Ashworth
Grammy Award-nominated songwriter and record producer
Tim Franklin
Singer-songwriter
Will Kennedy
Music producer and engineer, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
Tim Lauer
Composer, producer, and songwriter for ABC’s Nashville
Jonathan Perkins (IAA 93-95)
Emmy Award-winning composer, Berklee College of Music
Makeba Riddick
Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter
Theatre
The Theatre major challenges students to develop both individually and within an ensemble. Students can focus their studies in acting, musical theatre, or design and production, while gaining exposure in all mediums.
ACTING
Acting at Interlochen is Stanislavski-based with a focus on inner truth. Students explore a wide range of genres, including classical text, acting for the camera, and contemporary theatre, in addition to audition preparation.
MUSICAL THEATRE
The musical theatre track focuses on acting, with expanded skill development in singing, movement, and sequential dance training.
DESIGN & PRODUCTION
The design and production concentration enables students to perceive, visualize, and realize practical designs for the theatre. The track offers preprofessional training in multiple aspects of technical theatre, including scenic, lighting, costume, and sound design.
STUDENT AWARDS AND HONORS
• Presidential Scholar in the Arts
• YoungArts competition finalists
• Recognition from the Art Schools Network Student Talent Composition Competition
• Cited by the August Wilson Monologue Competition
STUDENT PERFORMANCES
Each year, the Theatre Division presents seven or more public performances that synthesize classroom work with performance practice. Selections range from classical texts to contemporary musicals to original works devised by the ensemble.
VENUES
Harvey Theatre Complex
• Harvey Theatre
• 175-seat, three-quarter thrust performance space
• Mallory Costume Shop
• On-site professional costume designers
• 15,000-piece costume collection
• Scene Shop
• On-site professional set designers and technical directors
Corson Auditorium
• 952-seat theatre
• Professional lighting/sound system
• Full orchestra pit
Phoenix Theatre
• 200-seat black box theatre
RECENT GUEST ARTISTS
Spike Brant
Theatre and performance environment
designer
Victoria Clark (IAC 77)
Tony Award-winning actress
Dana Edell (IAC/NMC 89-90; IAC 91; IAA 91-94)
Producer, director, and activist; author of Girls, Performance, and Activism: Demanding to Be Heard
Ricky Hinds (IAC 96-97, IAA 97-00)
Broadway choreographer, Come From Away
Theresa Lang
Director, dramaturg, and Professor of Theatre at Boston Conservatory at Berklee
Sooner Rae
Theatre lighting designer, producer, and director
Noah Ricketts (IAA 09-10)
Broadway actor, Frozen the Musical
Kit Yan
Poet and playwright
Visual Arts
The Visual Arts major develops a young artist’s technical and conceptual abilities through an integrated curriculum that fosters connections between disciplines and media. By encouraging creative practices, such as flexible thinking, inquisitiveness, and perseverance, the Academy program lays the foundation for a deeper understanding of arts and innovation. Students develop advanced technical skills in multi-dimensional forms through daily study and practice of diverse media including painting, sculpting, printmaking, digital arts, and more. Regular critiques refine personal vision within a tightknit artistic community. Visual artists at Interlochen gain the confidence and empathy to develop as citizen artists and leaders.
STUDENT AWARDS AND HONORS
• Presidential Scholars in the Arts
• Multiple Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
• National Gold Medal Portfolio
• Numerous YoungArts finalists and honorable mentions
• Neiman Marcus Award for Fashion
FACILITIES
Herbert H. and Barbara C. Dow Center for Visual Arts
• 36,000 square-foot facility
• Professional gallery space
• Eight studios for the study of different media
John and Joan Herlitz Art Studios
• Personal studio spaces for Academy seniors and postgraduates
STUDENT EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES
• Annual Juried Student Exhibition
• Senior Thesis
• Festival Exhibition
• Visual Arts Student Showcases
RECENT GUEST ARTISTS
Elisabeth Condon
Contemporary painter
Wendy Froud (IAA 68-71)
Character designer, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Elaine Gurian
Museum consultant
Ellen Lupton
Senior Curator of Contemporary Design, Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum
Cornel Rubino
Fine artist
Wayne White
Emmy Award-winning art director, illustrator, and puppeteer
Arts Faculty
Interlochen faculty are accomplished performers, creators, and educators in their respective fields of expertise. They challenge students to develop their skills in the classroom, in the studio, and on stage through an exciting array of performances, presentations, and exhibitions. With years of experience and unparalleled passion for their craft, our faculty serve as vital role models and career advisors for the young artists of Interlochen.
CREATIVE WRITING
Karyna McGlynn Division Director
Darcy Bruce
Dr. Brittany Cavallaro
Mika Perrine
Lesley Alicia Tye
DANCE
Joseph Morrissey Division Director
Katie Dorn
Rachel James
Jurijs Safonovs
FILM & NEW MEDIA
Michael Mittelstaedt Division Director
Briana Yarhouse Director, Animation
Nathan Buck
Claire Collins
Lydia Hicks
London Parker
Lesley Alicia Tye
INTERDISCIPLINARY ARTS
Clyde Sheets Division Director
Steven Speciale THEATRE
William Church Division Director
Stephen John Director, Design & Production
Justin Lee Miller Director, Musical Theatre
Christine Marie Brown
Gulshirin Dubash
Matthew Lindstrom
Andrew McGinn
Laura Ames Mittelstaedt
Melinda Rohn
Lisa Sanderson
VISUAL ARTS
Melinda Zacher Ronayne Division Director
Conor Fagan
Johnson Hunt
London Parker
Patricia A. Smith
Jacob Sussman
VOICE
Jeffery Norris Voice Chair
Dr. Laura Osgood Brown
MUSIC
Dr. Eric Stomberg Division Director
Dr. Matthew Cochran
Popular Music Ensemble
Dr. Leslie B. Dunner Orchestra Conductor
Josh Lawrence
Big Band Jazz Orchestra and Jazz
Combos Conductor
Dr. Matthew Schlomer
Wind Symphony Conductor
W. Carter Smith Conductor of Choirs
STRINGS
Renée Skerik String Chair, Viola
Dr. Matthew Cochran Guitar
Joan Raeburn Holland Harp
Dr. Patrick Owen Cello
Tina Chang Qu Violin
Ara Sarkissian Violin
Derek Weller Double Bass
WOODWINDS
Dr. Dane Philipsen Woodwind Chair, Oboe
Dr. Karen Benda Clarinet and Alexander Technique
Emil Khudyev Clarinet
Dr. Matthew Schlomer Saxophone
Nancy Stagnitta Flute
Dr. Eric Stomberg Bassoon
PERCUSSION
Keith A. Aleo Associate Director of Music for Classical Performance
BRASS
Dr. Lauren Hunt Linda VanSickle Smith
French Horn Chair, Director of Brass Studies
Thomas Riccobono Low Brass
Ken Larson Trumpet
KEYBOARD
Dr. Kara Huber Piano
Hae Won Jang Organ
Nicole Keller Organ
Dr. Thomas Lymenstull Piano
CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
Courtney Kaiser-Sandler
Associate Director of Music for Contemporary Performance and Collaborative Projects
Josh Lawrence Director, Jazz
Joshua Davis
Blake Elliott
Marcus Elliot
Brad Novak
MUSIC THEORY & COMPOSITION
Dr. Thomas Childs
Music Foundations Chair, Music Theory
Dr. Cynthia Van Maanen
MUSIC PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Marc Lacuesta Director
Joshua Hoisington
To learn more about our faculty, visit interlochen.org.
Let’s Talk About Academics
In addition to world-class artistic training, Interlochen Arts Academy students engage in an accelerated college-preparatory academic program that readies them for success in any field. Our co-curricular approach emphasizes the connections between art and academics, encouraging students to think critically and creatively about problems in the classroom and beyond. Through the lens of the arts, students gain a deeper appreciation for academic subjects and prepare for the rigors of the world’s most competitive colleges and universities.
Our exceptional faculty have decades of experience working with aspiring artists and understand their unique needs. Our 6:1 studentfaculty ratio enables meaningful connection and one-on-one guidance. Academic faculty work closely with artistic instructors and Residence Life faculty to help students maintain a healthy balance.
INDIANA UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP
Arts Academy students can get a head start on college coursework through our partnership with Indiana University’s Advance College Project. This unique concurrent enrollment program fulfills high school graduation requirements and provides college credits accepted at most colleges and universities. Classes are taught face-to-face by Interlochen faculty certified by Indiana University.
THE INTERLOCHEN 5
The Interlochen Arts Academy experience is deeply formative. Social and emotional growth, academic achievement, and artistic opportunity combine here to help our students thrive now and in the future.
The Interlochen 5 are the defining and reinforcing characteristics of an Academy education.
In today’s rapidly changing world, the skills, perspectives, and capacities developed here are enduring. The Interlochen 5 lay the foundation for life—both within and beyond the arts.
In our classrooms, studios, stages, and shared spaces, the principles of The Interlochen 5 come alive, promoting positive behavior and participation and supporting our students’ physical, mental, social, and creative well-being. Through Interlochen Arts Academy and The Interlochen 5, we seek to unlock the potential and unleash the capacity of the next generation of creative changemakers to lead inspired lives with enduring confidence.
FIVE K EY CAPA C I SEIT 5
EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF CREATIVE CHANGEMAKERS
Mindfulness, Wellness, and Resilience
Artists require a balance of focus and freedom. The life of an artist is challenging and frequently on public display, requiring high levels of tenacity and resilience.
1 2 3
Creative Capacity
By studying the creative processes practiced across the Academy’s arts disciplines, students master the underlying principles of creativity and design thinking and learn to apply this mindset to all aspects of their lives.
Interdisciplinary Perspective and Collaboration
Effective collaboration draws the best from each individual to achieve something no one person can accomplish on their own.
5 4
Global and Cultural Perspective
The world comes together each year on this diverse and international campus. Global art and global issues are central to the Academy experience.
Community and Citizen Artistry
Citizen artistry extends the concept of community as students develop, present, and teach art in service to others.
The Interlochen 5
Let’s Talk About Student Resources
We are committed to helping our students excel—both inside and outside the classroom. Our comprehensive support system equips students with the skills they need to thrive academically, artistically, emotionally, and physically. Academic, artistic, and Residence Life faculty work together with support staff across departments to accommodate the unique needs of each student and create a holistic plan for success.
ACADEMIC AND COLLEGE COUNSELING
The Academic and College Counseling department guides student academic scheduling and preparation, as well as the college discovery and application process. Counselors are available for appointments throughout the class day.
ACADEMIC CENTER FOR ENRICHMENT (ACE)
The Academic Center for Enrichment is home to Interlochen’s student academic support services. These include assisted study, peer and professional tutoring, and writing center support.
BONISTEEL LIBRARY
The Bonisteel Library advances passion for the arts by providing the Interlochen community with a diverse and evolving collection; knowledgeable and responsive staff; comfortable and inviting facilities; as well as current and emerging technologies.
HEALTH SERVICES
Health Services is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for urgent matters, and 16 hours a day for treatment of illness and injuries. Other services include specialist referrals, prescriptions, and onsite physical therapy.
SCHOOL COUNSELORS
Interlochen’s counselors act as advocates for student well-being, working with students, families, faculty, and staff to support students’ mental and emotional health. Interlochen retains three counselors and a psychologist on staff to provide short-term and crisis support. Interlochen Arts Academy has partnered with Ulliance to provide additional 24/7 counseling support services.
ADVISORY
The advisory program’s mission is to provide guidance and support to all students. Advisory acts as a bridge between academic, artistic, and personal development and serves as a primary vessel of the social-emotional learning program.
Let’s Talk About Student Life
What happens inside the classrooms, studios, and rehearsal spaces is just part of the Interlochen Arts Academy experience. Outside of academic and artistic commitments, students discover abundant opportunities for fun, friendship, and personal growth.
RESIDENCE LIFE
Boarding students live in dual-occupancy rooms in one of our eight residence halls. Rooms are fully equipped with beds, desks, dressers, and closets, as well as a shared or private bathroom. Residence
Life instructors provide around-the-clock support and foster community within their hall through regular social events and activities in addition to collaborating closely with advisors to lead the Academy’s socialemotional learning program.
RECREATION
Our recreation team curates a variety of structured and student-led activities. The Dennison Center serves as the hub for many of these activities, such as rock climbing, movie nights, and Super Bowl parties. Annual traditions include an end-of-theyear carnival; MORP, Interlochen’s answer to prom; and much more.
ATHLETICS
For students who strive to excel on the field or the court, Interlochen Arts Academy sponsors four school sports: basketball, cross country, lacrosse, and volleyball. In addition, students can enjoy intramural competition in a variety of sports such as soccer, badminton, ultimate frisbee, and more. Interlochen’s campus has ample space for almost any kind of sport: kickball, dodgeball, and other games provide opportunities for all students to participate in a fun and positive environment.
CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Clubs and organizations provide an opportunity for students to bond with peers outside their major and explore other areas of interest. Some of our most popular clubs have included the Black Student Union, the Young Feminists Club, the Interlochen Book Club, the Student Sustainability Club, the Traditional Chinese Art Club, Model UN, Stilt Walking, and the Interlochen Podcast Cooperative, among others. Students are also welcome to form their own clubs, groups, or organizations.
Let’s Talk About Northern Michigan
Interlochen is situated on an idyllic 1,200acre campus in northwest lower Michigan. Our peaceful setting features acres of mature hardwood forests and two tranquil lakes. Here, students discover their own Walden Pond—a place where the beauty and harmony of nature inspire them to reflect and create. Our campus is just minutes away from Traverse City, widely recognized as one of the nation’s most beautiful freshwater beach towns. Traverse City is home to awardwinning restaurants, a world-class hospital, and a charming downtown shopping district. The fertile region is renowned as one of the nation’s largest producers of tart cherries and boasts a growing wine region. The Cherry Capital Airport offers direct flights to Chicago, Detroit, and Minneapolis.
Interlochen students have frequent opportunities to explore the area beyond our campus. Senior and postgraduate students enjoy a traditional visit to Mackinac Island, a picturesque car-free community on Lake Huron. Students also participate in trips to Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and other local destinations.
Northern Michigan experiences all four seasons, so plan for a full range of weather. Autumns are brisk and beautiful (the area is a noted destination for fall colors). Winters are crisp and snowy. Students enjoy abundant opportunities to participate in winter sports, including ice skating, snowshoeing, cross-country and downhill skiing, and snow tubing—a perennial student favorite. Interlochen enjoys vibrant, temperate springs.
Let’s Talk About Health and Safety
The health and safety of our community is our highest priority. Here are just a few of the resources we have in place to ensure the mental and physical health of every member of our community.
PHYSICAL HEALTH
Our Health Services center is operated by a team of licensed medical professionals. In addition to a full-time staff of registered nurses, a nurse practitioner holds regular office hours. Interlochen is just minutes away from Munson Medical Center, a level II trauma center and referral hospital with over 300 physicians practicing in 35 specialties.
PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLNESS
Psychological wellness is a central component of Interlochen’s social-emotional learning program. Through regular advisory meetings, residence life programming, and community meetings, students are taught to prioritize wellness and develop resilience. School counselors are available around-the-clock to provide social, emotional, and academic support.
CAMPUS SAFETY
Our Campus Safety team patrols our campus 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Security cameras are positioned in areas across campus and monitored continuously by Campus Safety staff. The Campus Safety team also provides alerts about inclement weather and leads campus-wide emergency preparedness drills. Interlochen’s safety staff collaborates closely with the Green Lake Township Community Police Officer to protect our neighbors both on and off campus.
RESIDENCE LIFE
Residence Life instructors work to ensure student safety. Members of the Residence Life team monitor the front desk of each residence hall to check in visitors. All students must sign into their residence hall at the conclusion of each day, and Residence Life instructors confirm that each student is safe and present. Students may not leave campus without express permission from parents/guardians and Residence Life instructors.
Let’s Talk About Life After Interlochen
After Interlochen, our students lead meaningful lives in the arts and beyond. Students graduate from Interlochen with more than a high school diploma and honed artistic skills—they also carry the values of dedication, resilience, independence, and collaboration as they embark on their next chapter. Graduates join a tight-knit network of exceptional alumni working and learning in a wide range of fields.
NOTABLE ALUMNI
Interlochen alumni hold seats in all of the country’s major orchestras; star regularly in Broadway productions; appear at the top of the New York Times’ best-sellers list; dance in prestigious companies; and collaborate behind the scenes of feature films. They can also be found practicing medicine and law, and teaching in classrooms across the globe.
Some of our notable alumni include:
Dr. Brittany Cavallaro
New York Times best-selling author, Charlotte Holmes series
Elaine Douvas
Principal Oboist, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Janet Eilber
Artistic Director, Martha Graham
Dance Company
Peter Erskine
Grammy Award-winning jazz drummer
Holly Gilbert
Director, High Altitude Observatory at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)
Sydney James Harcourt
Grammy Award-winning singer and Broadway actor
Steve Hayden
Former Vice-Chair and Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy Worldwide
Fred Hiebert
Archeologist-in-residence, National Geographic
Jewel
Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter
Anthony McGill
Principal Clarinetist, New York Philharmonic
Doug Stanton
New York Times best-selling author, In Harm’s Way
Nathaniel Mary Quinn
Painter
Let’s Talk About Your Investment
We believe that making an investment in a student’s life today will yield dividends tomorrow.
After Interlochen, most students choose to continue their studies at some of the world’s most prestigious colleges, universities, and conservatories. Recent graduates have enrolled at Harvard University, The Juilliard School, Columbia University, Eastman School of Music, Berklee College of Music, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Rhode Island School of Design, Boston Conservatory, and other acclaimed institutions. Annually, a majority of graduates are accepted into one of their top-three college choices and earn more than $17 million in scholarships.
FINANCIAL AID
We are committed to making an Interlochen education accessible to each and every talented student with the promise and potential to thrive here.
• 80% of students who attend Interlochen Arts Academy receive financial assistance
• Nearly $17 million in Interlochen scholarships and aid is awarded annually
• Merit and need-based aid are available for both domestic and international students
For more information, please contact the Financial Aid Committee at finaid@interlochen.org.
received more than totaling scholarship offers 500
17
Million a majority of students go on to attend one of their
Top 3 college choices
30
ONE quarter attend a top college
2023 ARTS ACADEMY GRADUATESLet’s Talk About Your Application
Are you ready to take the next step?
Here’s how to apply:
1. Fill out the application and submit your portfolio or recorded audition at interlochen.org/application.
2. Complete your Clarity Financial Aid application and submit the required documentation.
LEARN MORE
Visit interlochen.org/virtual-tour for an exclusive video tour and other resources. You can join the Admission Team on Zoom for information sessions, student panels, Q&A sessions, and more. In addition, families are welcome to visit and tour Interlochen’s campus or meet in person with the Admission Team.
DEADLINES
• Early Decision Deadline: Nov. 15
• Regular Decision Deadline: Jan. 15
• Rolling admission based on program availability after Jan. 15
Contact the Office of Admission & Financial Aid if you have any questions.
PHONE
231.276.7472
800.681.5912 toll-free
EMAIL admission@interlochen.org
INSTAGRAM @interlochenarts
Interlochen Center for the Arts does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex/gender. Interlochen also prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internally or externally. Reports of misconduct, questions regarding Title IX, and concerns about noncompliance should be directed to the Title IX Coordinator. For a complete copy of the policy or for more information, please contact the Title IX Coordinator or the Assistant Secretary of Education within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
www.interlochen.org/title-ix
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