Stories

Amplifying expertise: Interlochen Online partners with Michigan Virtual to bring arts enrichment courses to students across the state (Stories 628388)

melissa.birdsey — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 12:52:36 +0000

Amplifying expertise: Interlochen Online partners with Michigan Virtual to bring arts enrichment courses to students across the state (Stories 628388) melissa.birdsey Tue, 06/24/2025 - 08:52 Amplifying expertise: Interlochen Online partners with Michigan Virtual to bring arts enrichment courses to students across the stateThe new partnership launched in June with programs in video production, songwriting, comedy acting, and digital animation. June 24, 2025

A partnership between two of Michigan’s leading virtual education organizations—Michigan Virtual and Interlochen Online—offers much to be excited about. But for Michigan Virtual Director of School Partnerships Thomas Soria, the excitement isn’t just professional. It’s personal, too.

“My son is an advanced math student, and he’s taking geometry with Michigan Virtual this year,” Soria said. “My daughter—who’s 11 years old and performing in The Little Mermaid—asked, ‘What is there for me, Dad?’ As I was looking at our catalog, I felt like there was an opportunity.”

Not long after that conversation, Soria learned that Michigan Virtual would be partnering with Interlochen Online to create arts enrichment courses for students in middle and high school.

“I was so excited because I know there’s a segment of students throughout the state that have passions around topics like songwriting, acting, and digital animation,” Soria said.

The collaboration launched in June with four enrichment courses: Video Basics, Songwriting 101, Comedy Basics for Acting, and Getting Started with Digital Animation. Each course includes three hours of instructional content created by one of Interlochen Online’s acclaimed instructors and is affordably priced at just $15. Interested students can enroll now via Michigan Virtual’s website.

“These courses give students practical ways of getting started in the arts and provide a great launching pad to explore more deeply with Interlochen Online's four-week courses and certificate programs that give students the chance to work directly with our faculty,” said Interlochen Online Executive Director Carin Nuernberg.

The new partnership continues a history of collaboration between the two organizations that has spanned nearly two decades.

“Originally, we served students who were coming to Camp, but also needed to take a particular class over the summer,” Soria said. “A couple of years ago, we formalized a partnership with Interlochen to provide additional resources to help Academy students.”

Academy students frequently take advantage of Michigan Virtual’s summer or semester-long programs. By taking classes online, Academy students can reduce the number of academic classes they need to take during the school year—allowing them to engage more deeply in their artistic program—or explore courses and subject areas not offered at the Academy.

Recently, Interlochen invited members of the Michigan Virtual team to come to campus and lead a workshop on artificial intelligence (AI).

“The workshop was really well received, and it struck me that there was an opportunity for our organizations to collaborate,” Nuernberg said. “I always look for partners that align well from the perspective of mission and innovation, and I think Michigan Virtual is doing really great work.”

Nuernberg and Interlochen Provost Camille Colatosti reached out to Michigan Virtual about the possibility of working together.

“What Carin had approached us with was an opportunity for students to get exposure around some of the things that they’re really passionate about,” said Michigan Virtual Research and Innovation Manager Melissa Graeser. “Our enrichment program fit that model really well: We’re trying to find courses that are specific to kids’ interests and really nurture their creativity. When Carin suggested these four courses, we were like, ‘Yes, this is perfect.’”

For both institutions, the partnership is an opportunity to share their expertise and reach new populations of students.

“What I like about Michigan Virtual is that they do a lot of work with school districts throughout the state, so it’s a chance for Interlochen to provide high quality arts instruction in a short-form, accessible format,” Nuernberg said. “The public school system oftentimes doesn’t have the budget to provide an in-depth and broad-based arts curriculum, and I think we can be that provider. We can be a wonderful resource for teachers.”

“Interlochen has a really great reputation: It’s an expert in the field of arts education, and that’s what we look for as far as partnerships are concerned,” Graeser said. “We want kids to be excited about what they’re learning. We know that not all schools have the opportunities for students to find things that really excite them. Interlochen has a lot of that expertise.”

“On the flip side, Michigan Virtual has Michigan state-certified teachers for every course that we offer,” Graeser continues. “We have hundreds of courses for credit that reach all sorts of different kids. Regardless of whether you’re an Interlochen student or a Michigan Virtual student, there’s something that you can gain from a partnership with both institutions together.”

While the partnership is just beginning, both organizations see potential for growth in the future.

“I think this partnership will be one that is long-standing and multifaceted,” Nuernberg said. “We’re very interested in partnering with like-minded innovators in the space in terms of how people learn best and what technology we can take advantage of to make that happen.”

“My hope is that these four programs are just the beginning of what could be more in the future,” Soria said. “Hopefully, utilizing our reach throughout the state will amplify what Interlochen does.”

A day in the life of a creative writing high school student (Stories 628231)

marycaroline.whims@interlochen.org — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 21:34:57 +0000

A day in the life of a creative writing high school student (Stories 628231) marycaroline.w… Tue, 06/17/2025 - 17:34 A day in the life of a creative writing high school studentWondering how to choose the best high school for creative writing? Pick one that gives you the day of your dreams, every day: master classes with incredible guest artists, focused writing time in cozy spaces, performances and activities to attend, and plenty of adventures with friends. June 17, 2025

Are you passionate about writing and thinking about attending a boarding arts high school? You're probably wondering what your daily life would actually be like. At creative writing boarding schools, students dive into a world where their love of storytelling takes center stage. You'll balance regular academic classes with specialized writing workshops where you'll share your work and receive feedback from both teachers and peers. You’ll live and work alongside students who share your passion—people who get why you obsess over the perfect metaphor or spend hours crafting the dialogue for your latest screenplay. It's an environment where being a writer isn't just what you do in English class, but part of who you are. Read on to discover scenes from a typical student’s day at Interlochen Arts Academy, one of the nation’s best high schools for creative writing.

Morning routine, breakfast, and academic classes

Picture this: you wake up in your dream dorm room, stretch, and greet the day. Depending on your daily schedule, the time is somewhere between 6 and 8 a.m. You have plenty of time to get ready and soft-launch the morning with your favorite routines, whether that’s journaling or a cup of tea. (Some students also enjoy hitting the gym.) Once dressed, you meander over to the cafeteria for a hearty breakfast with options including fresh fruit, hot golden waffles, and scrambled eggs.

Many academic and artistic instructors make themselves available to students for help with homework in the morning. Since you need a little extra insight into a math problem, you head over to your instructor’s office afterwards to take advantage of office hours. Then it’s time for academic classes, including Spanish, Algebra II, and World History. At Interlochen, students explore college-preparatory math, science, history, languages, and literature, as well as the connections between academics and the arts. It’s very likely that you’ll study artistic and cultural influences during a history class, for example, or incorporate aspects of your arts major into a capstone project. Academic classes occur during a dedicated block of the school day, so you will always have a balance between your arts classes and the traditional reading, writing, and ’rithmetic. This block schedule is a major advantage of attending an arts boarding school.

Arts classes, chilling in The Writing House, and afternoon activities

Your first arts class of the day is Elements of Fiction, where you explore and analyze short pieces from a diverse range of published authors. You’re working on a short piece of your own that has really piqued your interest; you linger after class for a few minutes to chat about it with your instructor—herself an award-winning author.

After that, you cozy up in a corner of The Writing House, a northwoods-style lodge dedicated to the discipline of high school writing. The only building of its type in the United States, it features plenty of couches and alcoves perfect for stealing away to draft your novel. A fire burns on the stone hearth, you’ve got your headphones on, and life is good.

From 11:30 to 12:30, you have Introduction to Screenwriting. So far, you’ve examined concepts like character, setting, conflict, and theme. But today the class is shifting course a little: you’re learning how to pitch your screenplay in the professional world!

Lunch follows, giving you time to connect with friends and chat about the evening to come. Some of your friends are singer-songwriter majors with a performance coming up. You eagerly agree to attend. Together, you saunter out to grab lattes and boba at the Melody Freeze to help you power through the afternoon.

Back at The Writing House, the Great Room is full of commotion. Today, a famous guest artist is visiting—known for his poetry collections and leadership of a distinguished literary magazine. You settle into a seat and listen attentively as he reads a few of his best-known selections. When it’s time for Q&A, you ask a few well-researched questions, and he signs your copy of his book with a flourish. Experiences like these are part of what makes life at Interlochen so special: you’re constantly meeting people who help you envision what it’s like to turn your love of writing into a real-life career.

From 3-3:50 p.m., you take the Writing Workshop, the central component of Interlochen’s Creative Writing Program. Here, the process of group critique and exchange helps you polish your work into impactful pieces that resonate deeply with readers. You’re growing in your own understanding that writing doesn’t have to be a solely solitary act—it also happens in community. Your friends and instructors don’t hesitate to let you know what works and what doesn’t in your writing. Today, some of their input gives you an idea for a new direction for your story. It takes courage to open yourself up to friendly criticism, but you’ve found that the process is also incredibly rewarding.

Dinner, a show, and time with friends

Five o’clock doesn’t need to hit for you to know that it’s dinnertime. Tonight, you can enjoy the winning combination of house-made lasagna, veggies from the on-campus greenhouse, chocolate brownies, and the sounds of your friends’ laughter. Afterwards, you all head to Corson Auditorium to watch the singer-songwriters do their thing. A mix of pop covers and original compositions entertain and enthrall you until a little after 8:00, at which point you retreat to the dorm for more socializing and some homework.

Someone brings up the program’s in-house literary magazine, The Red Wheelbarrow, and for a while all you can talk about is what everyone’s submitting to the next issue. You binge some of your favorite show with your roommate, a film major, before starting to wind down for the night. It’s been a full day. You’re tired, but also feeling fulfilled and ready to do it all over again. You can’t imagine any other place you’d rather be.

Choosing a creative writing school

If this imaginary (but fact-based) day sounded like fun to you, it’s a good indicator that you’d fit in well at a boarding school for creative writing. Offerings vary from school to school, but some other things you’d enjoy at Interlochen Arts Academy include:

Mentorship from professional writers on faculty
Access and encouragement as you submit to national creative writing competitions and literary publications.
Assistance with building a strong portfolio that gets you into top undergraduate literary studies programs
Opportunities to explore diverse literary genres—including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, and forms you invent
Interdisciplinary collaborations with artists from other majors on campus, including national tours
Preparation for using your writing skills in the real world, whatever career path you choose

Curious how to choose the best high school for creative writing? Don’t be afraid to dig in and do your research. Most programs feature plenty of information on their websites about the instructors you’ll work with, the features you can expect, sample schedules, and even the classes you can take. If the opportunity is available to you, visit the schools that interest you to see if you like the campus, instructors, and students. Whatever school you choose, you’ll experience the excitement of focusing on the craft you love—and preparing to share your words with the world.

A day in the life of a boarding school student (Stories 628228)

marycaroline.whims@interlochen.org — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 15:15:37 +0000

A day in the life of a boarding school student (Stories 628228) marycaroline.w… Mon, 06/16/2025 - 11:15 A day in the life of a boarding school studentEver wondered what it’s really like to study at an arts boarding school? Get an inside look on a typical student’s day, including college-prep academic classes, learning from renowned guest artists, and spending time with friends. June 16, 2025

Choosing to continue your artistic journey at an arts boarding school is more than an academic or artistic choice—it’s a brand-new lifestyle. For young artists like you, it means living, learning, and creating in a community where everyone shares your love of art. No matter what kind of school program you’re familiar with—whether a public, private, or charter school—you’ll find that your average day looks quite a bit different at a boarding school.

At Interlochen Arts Academy, one of the most prestigious high school arts programs in the country, students thrive with a routine that’s built for academic excellence, artistic success, and plenty of recreation. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at what a typical day looks like for an Academy student.

Morning: Calm, community, and creativity

Your day might begin as early as 6 a.m., especially if you’re a morning person who likes to meditate, write, or stretch before the rush of the day begins. Officially, quiet hours end at 7 a.m., which gives early risers time for solo reflection—an essential routine for many creatives.

Breakfast is served at the Stone Cafeteria, where you’ll find more than just cereal. Think hearty hot meals, fresh fruit, and plenty of vegan and gluten-free options. You can start your morning just the way you like it with fresh coffee or tea.

If you’re the ambitious type (and let’s be honest, most Interlochen students are), you might take advantage of the optional “Zero Hour” period. It’s an early start to your academic or artistic day, designed for students who want to deepen their skills or get a jump on their creative projects.

Midday: Balancing academics and artistry

The official school day begins at 8:30 a.m., kicking off a balanced schedule of academic and arts classes. While other schools might force you to choose between traditional schoolwork and your love of art, each day at Interlochen allows plenty of time for both.

Academics at Interlochen are just the right kind of challenging. Get ready to explore college-preparatory math, science, history, languages, and literature, as well as the deep connections between academics and the arts. Interlochen also offers plenty of options for students who are looking to earn college credit, including dual enrollment and AP classes.

Meanwhile, your arts classes will allow you to work with world-renowned faculty in your discipline as you perfect your creative skills. Depending on the major you choose, you might learn from a New York Times bestselling author, a GRAMMY-winning musician, or even a world-renowned dancer. With an average class size of 11, you’re sure to get the personal attention and mentorship you need to thrive.

Lunch at Interlochen is a bustling scene, with most students enjoying the chance to catch up with friends halfway through the day. To keep the cafeteria from getting too crowded, you’ll have a designated lunch period between 11:00 a.m. and 1:55 p.m. That gives everyone time to recharge without feeling rushed.

Need help with homework or preparing for a test? Academic office hours run from 12:20 to 12:50 p.m. on most weekdays. It’s a built-in support system that encourages connections between students and faculty—a hallmark of the Interlochen experience.

Students at Interlochen learn from working with top arts educators like Bill Church, Director of Theatre.

Wednesdays: Designed for connection and growth

Wednesdays are special at Interlochen. Rather than sticking to a traditional schedule, the Academy sets aside time for programming focused on community and preparing for life beyond high school.

If you’re a junior, senior, or postgraduate, your morning includes a college counseling session. After lunch, you’ll join your advisory group—a tight-knit cohort led by a faculty mentor—to explore topics around personal development and emotional intelligence drawn from the Academy’s signature social-emotional framework, The Interlochen 5.

At 2:00 p.m., the entire school—students, faculty, and staff—gathers in Corson Auditorium for a weekly Community Meeting. This is your chance to hear from inspiring guest speakers like award-winning activist Loretta Ross or world-renowned psychologist Lisa Damour. These gatherings foster a sense of belonging within the Interlochen community and often include performances by gifted Academy students—maybe even you!

Afternoon: Time to dive into your art

While the morning balances both academics and the arts, the afternoon is where your artistic focus sharpens. Whether you’re rehearsing with the orchestra, finishing a painting, polishing dance choreography, memorizing a monologue, editing a short film, or revising a portfolio of poems, this is your time to create.

You won’t be doing it alone. Interlochen offers world-class facilities, professional-grade equipment, and opportunities to work with visiting artists who are leaders in their fields. This is the kind of access most artists only dream of—and here, it’s part of your daily reality.

Evenings: Reconnect, reflect, recharge

Dinner is served from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Afterward, many students return to the studio or the practice room to finish out their days with some extra skill development. Others head to the gym (which includes weight and fitness studios, a game room, a rock climbing wall, and more), join friends to relax in the common rooms, or go for a quiet walk along the lake. There are also plenty of events happening on campus every week, from musical theatre performances to slam poetry nights and fashion shows. You might enjoy joining a student group or club for an even deeper experience of community.

By 9:30 p.m., all boarding students are required to check in to their residence halls. The final hours of the day—before lights out at 11:00 p.m.—are perfect for winding down, journaling, and prepping for tomorrow.

Students at Interlochen enjoy a variety of on-campus events inculding annual favorites like the International Food Fair.

More than a schedule—it’s a creative ecosystem

Still wondering what’s so special about attending a boarding school? There’s more to it than meets the eye. Schools like Interlochen Arts Academy are unique not only in their schedules, but also in the artistic atmosphere that pervades the whole campus. You’ll be surrounded by creativity all day, from the sounds of jazz musicians playing outdoors to the sights of student art adorning walls all over campus. You’ll be supported by peers who share your drive to excel, faculty who challenge and encourage you, and a legacy of alumni who have gone on to reshape the arts world. An arts boarding school is a place where you are free to be your creative self and pursue your dreams to the best of your ability.

From mentorship with GRAMMY winners to facilities that rival university campuses, the best arts boarding schools are built with one goal in mind: helping you become the artist—and the person—you’re meant to be. As you consider whether you want to attend a boarding school, take time to dive deep into the details of what your new life would look like. Good luck!

Dive deeper into Interlochen Arts Academy with a free digital viewbook

Why do people go to boarding school? (Stories 628227)

melissa.birdsey — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 14:38:26 +0000

Why do people go to boarding school? (Stories 628227) melissa.birdsey Fri, 06/13/2025 - 10:38 Why do people go to boarding school?From exceptional academics to diverse, tight-knit communities, here are some of the top reasons why students and their families choose this immersive educational option.

Three Interlochen Arts Academy students pause for a picture on a snowy day.

June 13, 2025

What do you think of when you hear the term “boarding school”? An elite academic institution for wealthy students? A place where parents send their troubled children? The setting of your favorite young adult fantasy novel?

While popular culture has painted a varied and sometimes mystical portrait of boarding school, thousands of real families from all socio-economic backgrounds choose to send their students to boarding schools every year. But what drives families to choose this distinctive educational path?

“Whether you want to focus on arts, athletics, or academics, boarding schools offer students a variety of advantages over traditional public or private schools,” says Dr. Camille Colatosti, Provost at Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, Michigan. “These advantages include small class sizes, exceptional faculty, the fostering of lifelong friendships, the opportunity to develop independence, and the ability to specialize in a particular subject area.”

Below, we’ll explore some of the most common academic, personal, and practical factors behind this life-changing decision—and address some of the common concerns families may have about this immersive educational option.

7 reasons why students and families choose boarding schools

1. Academic excellence and specialized programs

One of the primary reasons families choose boarding schools is the pursuit of academic excellence. Many boarding schools offer rigorous curricula that surpass those available in local public or private day schools. These institutions often feature smaller class sizes, allowing for more personalized attention from teachers who hold advanced degrees in their subject areas. International Baccalaureate programs, Advanced Placement courses, and dual-enrollment programs such as Indiana University’s Advance College Project are commonplace in boarding school environments.

The academic intensity at boarding schools often extends beyond regular classroom hours. Study halls, tutoring sessions, and academic support systems create an environment where learning continues throughout the day. This structured approach helps students develop strong study habits and time management skills that prove invaluable in college and beyond.

Some boarding schools specialize in specific academic or extracurricular areas. Students passionate about science or mathematics can enroll at STEM-focused schools, which offer access to state-of-the-art laboratories and research opportunities typically reserved for college students. Young creatives might choose an arts boarding school, where they’ll find professional-grade studios, theatres, and music facilities—plus daily classes with expert artist-educators and regular master classes with world-class guests.

2. Independence and personal growth

Boarding school serves as a bridge between the protected environment of home and the complete independence of adulthood. Students learn to manage their daily routines, from waking up on time to doing laundry and maintaining their living spaces. This gradual assumption of responsibility builds confidence and self-reliance in ways that commuting to day school cannot replicate.

The residential experience forces students to navigate social situations independently, resolve conflicts without immediate parental intervention, and make decisions about their time and priorities. These experiences accelerate emotional maturity and prepare students for the independence required in college and professional life.

“I knew that going to a boarding school would help prepare me for my future by teaching me how to be independent and how to take care of myself,” says Grace O., a recent Arts Academy graduate. “The things that pushed me to become a boarding student were the opportunities that I could take advantage of during the evenings and the knowledge that I was going to be able to learn things about myself from being put in a college-like situation as a teenager.”

Another recent Academy graduate, Ari H., agrees. “The boarding experience at Interlochen definitely prepares you for the future—wherever that may be,” he says. “Regardless of where you end up after Interlochen, the skills of communication, collaboration, and time management are definitely helpful.” Living away from home also encourages students to discover their authentic selves, free from established family dynamics and hometown social expectations. Many boarding school graduates report that the experience helped them identify their genuine interests, values, and aspirations without external pressure from familiar social circles.

3. Diverse community and global perspectives

Boarding schools attract students from around the world, creating uniquely diverse learning communities. Students are exposed to different cultures, languages, and worldviews in their daily interactions, dining halls, and dormitory conversations. This multicultural environment prepares students for an increasingly globalized world and helps develop cultural sensitivity and adaptability.

“At a culturally-diverse boarding school, learning how students from other countries think and live their lives can be an education in itself,” Colatosti says.

The diversity extends beyond international representation to include students from various socioeconomic backgrounds, geographic regions, religions, and life experiences. Many boarding schools offer substantial financial aid programs, ensuring that talented students can attend regardless of their family's economic circumstances. This socioeconomic diversity enriches classroom discussions and broadens students' understanding of different life perspectives.

“I decided to enroll at Interlochen as a freshman because I really felt the need to get out of my small town and experience something else,” says Jasmine S., a recent Arts Academy graduate. “I love the diversity of the community—not only in race and religion, but also in experiences and backgrounds.”

4. Lifelong friendships

The unique structure of boarding school—with students both learning and living on their school’s campus—fosters a tight-knit community. Enrollment is limited by the amount of space available in residence halls; as a result, most boarding schools maintain comparatively small student bodies, ranging from a few dozen to a few hundred students.

Boarding school students are able to spend time with friends both inside and outside the classroom; this around-the-clock access to their peers enables students to forge stronger friendships than those developed at a traditional high school.

“The thing I like best about attending Interlochen is the friendships I've made here,” Grace says. “While most people your age are still living at home with their parents, you’re learning and growing alongside your friends during one of the most influential and important stages of your life. These people become your family.”

5. Extracurricular opportunities and leadership development

The residential nature of boarding schools allows for extensive extracurricular programs that would be impossible in day school settings. Students can participate in activities that extend well into the evening, from theatre productions and debate tournaments to robotics competitions and community service projects. Leadership opportunities abound in boarding school environments. Students serve as dormitory proctors, student council members, club presidents, team captains, and peer mentors. The school community relies on student leadership in ways that day schools often cannot, providing authentic opportunities to develop management and organizational skills.

Athletics programs at boarding schools are often exceptional, with facilities and coaching that rival some college programs. Students can pursue sports year-round and often have access to sports that might not be available in their home communities, from crew and squash to ice hockey and equestrian activities.

Some boarding schools specialize in particular extracurricular areas—such as sports or the arts. At Interlochen Arts Academy, for example, students spend four or more hours per day immersed in one of seven artistic disciplines under the guidance of acclaimed faculty. This rigorous pre-professional training prepares students to matriculate to top arts colleges and conservatories—such as The Juilliard School, Parsons School of Design, and the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program—and in some cases, to immediately pursue their art professionally. The school offers students access to world-class facilities and equipment, plus regional and national touring opportunities, collaborative projects, and other one-of-a-kind experiences.

“Coming from a small city in Virginia, I had little to no opportunities to perform on stage,” Ari says. “At Interlochen, I get coachings and lessons in chamber music, orchestral playing, and other topics from some of the best teachers you can find at the high school level.”

6. College preparation and alumni networks

Boarding schools typically have outstanding college counseling programs with dedicated staff who maintain relationships with admissions officers at top universities. The counselor-to-student ratios are often much more favorable than at day schools, allowing for personalized guidance throughout the college application process.

College counselors at specialized schools have years of experience helping students apply to top colleges in the school’s focus area—a major advantage for students hoping to pursue their passion for art, athletics, or other specialties at the college level.

“We work closely with our students both academically and artistically based on their individual trajectory," says Chad Gapinski, director of academic and college counseling at Interlochen Arts Academy. "We also collaborate with arts faculty to ensure a unified approach with our students' post-secondary plans. Having access to academic and college counselors focused on the arts helps set students up for success beyond high school."

Choosing to attend a boarding school also speaks volumes for a student’s character and college readiness—which can help students stand out in a competitive field of applicants.

“When admissions officers see a high-quality boarding school on your high school transcript, they can tell you’ve done something to set yourself apart,” Colatosti says. “Choosing a boarding school demonstrates your commitment to pursuing more challenging academics. It also shows the kind of personal and social maturity that admissions officers are often looking for.”

The alumni networks associated with established boarding schools can be powerful assets throughout students' lives. These connections often extend into professional fields, providing mentorship opportunities and career advantages that can last decades beyond graduation.

7. Family circumstances and practical considerations

Some families choose boarding school due to practical circumstances rather than purely educational reasons. Military families, diplomats, and international business executives may select boarding schools to provide educational stability when frequent relocations would otherwise disrupt their children's schooling.

Single parents or families facing challenging home situations sometimes view boarding school as providing a structured, supportive environment. This can be a thoughtful decision to ensure children receive consistent guidance and supervision.

Addressing common concerns about boarding school

Adjusting to life away from home

The emotional impact of separation is one of the most commonly cited concerns among prospective boarding school parents. However, modern boarding schools prioritize student well-being with comprehensive support systems including counselors, advisors, and pastoral care programs. Technology also makes staying connected with family easier than ever before.

At Interlochen Arts Academy, students have a robust support system to help them make the transition to boarding school life. Students are supervised around-the-clock by Instructors of Residence Life and other dormitory staff, who ensure students have returned to their residence hall by check-in time, lead sessions on basic life skills—such as doing laundry—and help students navigate conflicts with their roommates. Other resources include school counselors, academic support programs, and the school’s social-emotional learning program, The Interlochen 5.

“The counselors are extremely helpful,” says recent Interlochen Arts Academy graduate Lukas. “I found that Dr. [Michael] Kern was a great person to talk to during my freshman year, but all the counselors—and your Instructors of Residence Life—are also there to help. Most of your friends are probably experiencing homesickness as well, so you can support each other in that time.”

Cost of attendance

As a result of the high academic standards and residential component, boarding schools are often more expensive than private day schools. However, many schools offer generous financial aid packages to ensure that highly qualified students from all economic backgrounds are able to attend.

Families should consider the long-term investment in their child's education and future opportunities when evaluating the expense. Boarding school students often receive larger college scholarship awards when compared to their public-school peers. This is especially true at specialized schools, where the advanced training and college preparation students receive make them attractive applicants at top institutions.

Making the right choice

Ultimately, the decision to attend boarding school should align with a student's personality, goals, and family values. Independent, curious students who thrive in structured environments often flourish at boarding school, while others may benefit more from staying close to home and family support systems.

Prospective families should visit multiple schools, speak with current students and parents, and carefully consider whether the boarding school experience matches their educational priorities and personal circumstances.

Conclusion

People choose boarding schools for a combination of academic, personal development, community, and practical considerations. The residential education experience offers unique advantages in preparing students for college and adult life, though it's not the right choice for every family. When the fit is appropriate, boarding school can provide transformative educational experiences that shape students' characters and open doors to future opportunities.

The key lies in understanding that boarding school is not simply about academic achievement, but about comprehensive personal development in a supportive, challenging environment that prepares young people for success in an interconnected world.

A day in the life at one of the best filmmaking high schools in the United States (Stories 628211)

melissa.birdsey — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 16:08:48 +0000

A day in the life at one of the best filmmaking high schools in the United States (Stories 628211) melissa.birdsey Thu, 06/05/2025 - 12:08 A day in the life at one of the best filmmaking high schools in the United StatesGet a behind-the-scenes look at Interlochen Arts Academy’s Film & New Media major—from arts-focused academic classes to collaborations with other artistic disciplines. June 5, 2025

If you’ve ever read through a movie’s cast and crew list on IMDB, you know how many hands it takes to create a film that excites and inspires.

From lead actors and extras to gaffers and sound mixers, a vast team of creatives—each with their own unique skills—works both in front of and behind the camera to bring the director’s vision to life. Assembling this team of collaborators is a daunting task for a Hollywood production company; it’s even more challenging for a budding high school filmmaker with just an iPhone and a dream.

If you’re committed to pursuing your passion for film, an arts high school is an ideal environment to connect and collaborate with peers with talents in music, acting, visual arts, and other disciplines—all while studying with expert instructors, building your creative and technical skills, and developing a robust portfolio.

Sound too good to be true? It’s not! Each year, hundreds of young artists study film at fine arts high schools like Interlochen Arts Academy—one of the best filmmaking high schools in the United States. In this article, we’ll take you behind the scenes of Interlochen’s Film & New Media major for an inside look at life at a filmmaking high school.

Morning rituals and arts-focused academics

Depending on your schedule and personal preferences, your day will probably begin sometime between 6 and 8 a.m. Although quiet hours are enforced until 7 a.m., you’re welcome to wake up earlier to get ready for your day, hit the gym, or engage in quiet activities such as reading, journaling, or meditation.

Most Interlochen Arts Academy students choose to begin their day with breakfast at Stone Cafeteria, where conversations buzz with creative energy. Discussions range from favorite symphonies to experimental theatre techniques, creating an atmosphere where inspiration flows naturally between artistic disciplines. This interdisciplinary exposure is fundamental to the Interlochen experience—allowing you to gain perspectives that traditional high schools cannot provide.

Mornings at the Academy are typically reserved for academic classes; the daily schedule officially begins at 8:30 a.m., with an optional “Zero Hour” period at 7:30 a.m. Beyond the subjects you’ll find at your local high school, Interlochen Arts Academy offers a variety of specialized academic courses that can enhance your development as a filmmaker. Interested in making documentaries? Enroll in Contemporary Events and Journalism. Want to study history through the lens of film? Take History, Research, and Film.

You’ll also find connections to your passion in more conventional academic subjects such as physics, algebra, or French. All Arts Academy academic instructors are encouraged to infuse the arts into their lessons—a challenge that many respond to with enthusiasm. You might discover the mathematical principles behind camera angles in geometry class; explore how microphones interact with sound waves in physics class; or write a paper about Jean-Luc Godard or François Truffaut for your French class. This approach ensures that filmmaking students develop intellectual depth, creating well-rounded artists prepared for the complexities of modern media production and the rigors of college-level study.

Creative development and technical mastery

After your morning classes, you’ll take a mid-day break—which includes time to eat lunch and attend office hours with your academic faculty.

On Wednesdays, you’ll enjoy special programming that explores Interlochen’s unique social-emotional learning program, The Interlochen 5. You’ll discuss topics such as mindfulness, creative capacity, and collaboration with your advisory group—a small, faculty-led cohort of fellow students—and attend the weekly Community Meeting at 2 p.m.

Afternoons at the Academy are primarily reserved for arts activities, including major-specific classes, guest artist lectures, and time to work on creative projects.

Interlochen's Film & New Media curriculum emphasizes both technical proficiency and artistic vision. Courses such as Film History, Film Genres, and World Directors enable you to gain a global and historical perspective on the discipline while discovering your unique interests and style. You’ll also explore the principles of cinematic storytelling and character development through courses such as Introduction to Screenwriting, Film Aesthetics, and Advanced Screenwriting.

Other courses offer opportunities to gain hands-on experience with professional-grade film equipment and software. You’ll master industry-standard software such as Premiere and After Effects in Editing & Motion Graphics; practice cinematic location lighting in Lighting class; and learn the basics of camera operation, audio recording, film set etiquette, and more in Visual Story.

The film program offers opportunities to put your skills into practice by creating short films and longer-form film projects and screening them at regular student showcases. Your experience will culminate with a Capstone project—a project that challenges you to apply everything you’ve learned as you propose, research, and execute a fiction or nonfiction production, script, or new media project.

The DeRoy Center for Film Studies is the “home base” for film students at Interlochen. The only building in the nation dedicated to the study of film at the high school level, the 26,000 square-foot living-learning space features a 178-seat screening room equipped with 7.1 surround and a 4K DCP projector; a 40’ x 40’ sound stage; four editing suites; several state-of-the-art classrooms; an animation suite; and a number of student residence hall rooms that are prioritized to Film & New Media majors to allow after-class access to facilities. Students can also utilize the division’s top-of-the-line film equipment, including ARRI lighting and Blackmagic 6K Pro cameras.

Collaboration across generations and disciplines

Interdisciplinary collaboration is one of the defining characteristics of the film program at Interlochen Arts Academy. In addition to film, the Academy offers programs in six other artistic disciplines—music, theatre, visual arts, creative writing, dance, and interdisciplinary arts—enabling students to make connections with artists in other fields.

In this vibrant multidisciplinary environment, film students can easily find creative partners to help bring their vision to life. Musicians create and perform original scores for film projects; theatre majors serve as on-camera talent; and visual artists assist with set and costume design.

One noteworthy example of interdisciplinary collaboration is the original musical film How the Moon Fell from the Sky and No One Even Noticed. Written by Jack Fossett and directed by Christina Xing, the 40-minute film was created as an extracurricular project and featured an all-student cast and crew.

“It was amazing to be able to create something that would have cost thousands of dollars in the real world,” said cinematographer Shane Bagwell. “We were able to make it on a small budget because we were surrounded by artists who were willing to give their time. Visual artists helped us paint sets. The whole orchestra played for us. We had free crew members all around us. All those hands being able to come together—there’s no other situation like that.”

Film & New Media students have also collaborated with peers in the singer-songwriter program to create music videos and contributed live-action or animated films to multidisciplinary productions such as MUKTI and ONE. In 2023, the division launched the Interlochen Cinema Collective—a multigenerational group of students, faculty, alumni, and guest artists dedicated to the creation of fully realized film productions. The collective’s inaugural project, “Jedo’s Dead,” premiered at SXSW, where it was selected as the winner of the Texas Shorts Jury Award. The collective’s next project, a documentary on regenerative agriculture, is currently in progress.

Master classes with industry leaders

Beyond daily classes with world-class faculty, Film & New Media students also enjoy regular visits from industry professionals. The centerpiece of the division’s visiting artist program is the Future of Cinema Film Festival, a multi-day event that features lectures, demonstrations, Q&A sessions, and film screenings with leaders from every facet of the film industry—from directors and screenwriters to animators and composers. Recent guests include Nimona director Troy Quane; The Sandman writer Allan Heinberg; writer and producer Sev Ohanian; and author and producer Angie Thomas, among others.

Evening performances and inspiration

Once the class day concludes, Academy students are free to use their “down time” however they choose. Many students choose to spend their evening attending one of the hundreds of events staged by Academy students, faculty, and guests each year. These performances serve as both entertainment and education for filmmaking students, providing artistic experiences that inform and inspire their own creative development.

Beyond the stage, Arts Academy students may participate in a wide range of school-sponsored clubs, sports teams, and recreational activities. The school’s Recreation and Wellness team hosts regular events both on and off campus—including movie and game nights, holiday celebrations, hiking trips, dances, and more.

For film students, evenings are also the optimal time to draft scripts, work on post-production, or collaborate with peers from other divisions, who may not be available during the afternoons due to their own class schedules.

“We used to film our productions late at night, sometimes outside, in the middle of winter,” recalls Arts Academy alumnus and Five to Sixty founder Nic Weinfeld. “I remember ordering Bud’s and late-night editing sessions—and definitely not eating Bud’s inside the editing suites!”

All boarding students are required to check into their residence halls by 9:30 p.m. The day ends with ‘lights out’ at 11 p.m.

The Interlochen advantage

The immersive artistic environment at Interlochen Arts Academy cultivates filmmaking students who possess both technical expertise and broad cultural literacy. Daily interaction with serious young artists from all disciplines develops creative problem-solving skills, collaborative abilities, and artistic vision that extends far beyond conventional film education.

Every day presents opportunities to grow as an artist while building the professional skills necessary for success in an increasingly competitive industry. This unique combination of rigorous academics, technical training, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and exposure to professional mentors creates graduates uniquely prepared for the complexities of modern media production.

The day in the life of an Interlochen filmmaking student reveals an educational experience that transcends traditional boundaries, fostering young artists who understand that great cinema emerges from the intersection of technical mastery, collaborative spirit, and profound artistic vision.

Dive deeper into Interlochen Arts Academy with a free digital viewbook

Decoding the universe: Mikky Davey brings math to life for young artists (Stories 628185)

marycaroline.whims@interlochen.org — Wed, 28 May 2025 23:50:21 +0000

Decoding the universe: Mikky Davey brings math to life for young artists (Stories 628185) marycaroline.w… Wed, 05/28/2025 - 19:50 Decoding the universe: Mikky Davey brings math to life for young artistsFrom 3D printers to building custom AIs for her students, Davey is constantly innovating in the Arts Academy classroom. An early love of math has developed into her lifelong passion—and a unique gift for making math understandable and fun for artistic students. May 28, 2025

Instructor of Mathematics Michelle “Mikky” Davey has always had a unique way of looking at the world. It might have started with her nomadic childhood spent in the woods of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It might have been the time she spent educating her siblings, or her early sense of math’s beauty in all its patterns and logical structure. However she came to possess it, Davey brings a spirit of adventure, innovation, and creativity to her work with students at Interlochen Arts Academy.

From teaching her siblings to teaching as a career

Step into Davey’s classroom, and you’ll find it buzzing with electric energy and anticipation. It’s no wonder—the woman who leads it is extremely passionate about what she does. At Arts Academy, Davey runs a 3D printing club, teaches classes in logic and programming, and helps her students explore computer science through video game design projects. In her spare time, she attends tech conferences and other professional development opportunities (she recently returned from one put on by Learning and the Brain).

Davey’s deep love of math goes back to her childhood. Homeschooled for most of her life, she grew up exploring the forest and teaching various subjects to her siblings out of textbooks purchased at Sam’s Club. She didn’t see the inside of a school until freshman year, when the colors and patterns of her teacher’s Algebra I presentations dazzled her mind and captured her attention.

“At that point, I decided I wanted whatever this was,” she remembers. “I wanted to be part of it, understand it, and show it to people.”

In college she marveled even further when she watched a calculus classmate use equations to build the shape of a vase. Davey soon chose to major in secondary mathematics education. She didn’t just want to learn more about math—she wanted to share it with others.

“ I fell in love with the structure and beauty of mathematical thinking and how it can make chaos feel ordered. Teaching was just a way for me to offer what I understood to other people.”

Davey graduated from Ferris State University just as Interlochen Arts Academy was in the process of looking for a new math teacher. When she set foot on campus for an interview, she was immediately sold.

“I arrived and immediately realized this was where I was supposed to be,” she reflects. “ I think some of it was the tall pines that reminded me of my childhood in the U.P. campgrounds. It felt like home.”

Teaching math to artists

Since starting her job beneath the stately pines in 2016, Davey has continued to propel change in the classroom: she was the first to teach programming lessons at Interlochen, and she helped lead the charge in securing several 3D printers for academic use. Her class, Advanced Math: Logic and Programming, allows her to explore new ideas right alongside her students. She co-teaches the class with instructors from MIT and Stanford, who Zoom in for most meetings.

“ We take our students through learning how to program, programming logic, and some basic Python. Then we introduce them to artificial intelligence as math prediction models, teaching them how to make a linear regression or a line. That helps us unlock the very basis of AI,” she says.

Davey tailors her teaching to meet the needs of artistically-inclined students, many of whom are seeking careers in creative fields.

“A lot of my students are initially unsure whether programming is something they can do,” she comments. “But once they get into it and see the structure and the logic of it, and realize that it’s within their wheelhouse, they go crazy for it.”

She says students at an arts school tend to be perfectionistic, always focused on achieving the correct outcome. The minute they step into her classroom, that mindset has to go.

“When we solve problems, we are solving puzzles,” she explains. “We're trying to understand the world around us and how it can communicate to us, because math is the language of our universe.”

Davey frequently relies on visual means to make math come to life for her students. She has her students create their own scrapbook-style “textbooks” for class, which can be as colorful as they are informative. She also uses 3D printers to create shapes that students can see and feel.

“We do several 3D printing projects when we’re learning about geometry and visualization. The printers provide a physical way for students to play with the models they see in their minds.”

These visual and kinetic tools have proved to be incredibly effective. Over time, she’s watched many of her most hesitant students become hungry to learn more about the intersections between math and technology.

“Advanced Math is a one semester course, but by the end of it, they've learned skills and made artistic connections that go way beyond what I could teach them on my own. It's always impressive.”

When we solve problems, we are solving puzzles. We're trying to understand the world around us and how it can communicate to us, because math is the language of our universe.

Mikky Davey

Innovation takes the wheel

As Davey invests in each of her students, she’s constantly looking for ways to improve their learning experience. Right now, she’s building a custom AI for classroom use. The finished program will align with Davey’s personal teaching philosophy and be able to provide students with guidance based on their personalized learning plans.

She also stays abreast of educational research. Her latest explorations, based on work done by the HeartMath Institute, suggest that students learn best when their nervous systems are relaxed.

“Your brain’s amygdala is controlled by the rhythms and resonance of your heartbeat, which means if you are not in a stable, predictable rhythm in the classroom, you can't learn,” she notes. “I teach my students to calm down and breathe through things that are complicated and confusing.”

No matter what she’s doing to enhance her students’ experience, Davey stays motivated by the bright young minds in her classes.

“The students themselves are my main motivator,” she says. “They care so much about learning, about themselves, and about the world. They're so willing and interested. Any time spent with them is always rewarding.”

For Davey, the discipline of learning math is so much more than quadratic equations and trigonometry. It’s a chance to explore the limits that define our world and everyday lives.

“As students are developing and finding out who they are as individuals, I want to offer them a way to structure ideas, make sense of what’s happening around them, and even understand how their own brains work,” says Davey. “It’s my joy and privilege to share the language of mathematics with my students, and I look forward to continuing to do that for as long as I can.”

Students at Interlochen Arts Academy enjoy world-renowned artistic training from gifted professionals alongside college-preparatory academics. Learn more about Interlochen Arts Academy.

Director of Animation Briana Yarhouse travels to India for World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (Stories 628151)

melissa.birdsey — Thu, 22 May 2025 12:38:35 +0000

Director of Animation Briana Yarhouse travels to India for World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (Stories 628151) melissa.birdsey Thu, 05/22/2025 - 08:38 Director of Animation Briana Yarhouse travels to India for World Audio Visual & Entertainment SummitDuring the four-day summit, Yarhouse participated in panel discussions, presented awards, appeared on television, and connected with industry leaders from around the world.

Briana Yarhouse (fourth from left, tan blazer) on the stage at a WAVES event.

May 22, 2025

Briana Yarhouse (fourth from left, tan blazer) on the stage at a WAVES event.

Briana Yarhouse (right) with fellow attendees at WAVES.

Briana Yarhouse (center, tan blazer) presents an award at WAVES.

In early May, Interlochen Director of Animation Briana Yarhouse traveled to Mumbai, India for the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES).

During the four-day event, which ran May 1-4 at the Jio World Centre, Yarhouse participated in two panel discussions: “Cross-cultural Storytelling: Building Global Narratives Through Animation” and “Changing Dynamics of AVGC XR Sector in the AI Era: How to Bridge Industry & Academia.”

The panelists in the AI session explored the various ways in which AI will streamline the industry while emphasizing the importance of human creativity.

“The theme that we were all discussing was that when it comes to animation, creativity requires humans to make it really work,” Yarhouse said. “The parts of animation that AI is really going to impact are redundancy elements like coloring animation. That’s amazing, because it’s just grunt work.”

Yarhouse, who joined Interlochen in 2022 as the founding Director of Animation, says the rise of AI has always informed her direction for Interlochen’s program.

“I’ve always known that AI was going to be a player in this situation,” Yarhouse said. “I’ve made the animation program at Interlochen have a couple of different ‘legs’ that it stands on. One is that we work in physical animation a lot, because it allows for a lot of the indexicality of the image to be seen. There’s no way that AI is ever going to replicate that.”

“I’ve also focused on thinking of ourselves as creators of story by having yearly pitch competitions,” Yarhouse continues. “I want our students to think of themselves as leaders rather than people who are just pushing buttons. There’s nothing wrong with loving to draw, and there’s always room for that. But I want them to think about themselves in other terms, if they’re so inclined.”

Yarhouse also presented awards at two of the summit’s three awards ceremonies and appeared on one of India’s national television networks.

“It was really nice to talk about animation and be introduced as the Director of Animation at Interlochen,” she said.

Watch Yarhouse’s interview on DD India

Outside of panels and ceremonies, Yarhouse focused on making connections with fellow summit attendees.

“I was so busy meeting with people all the time,” she said. “It was a very wide, diverse range of people. We would hang out and talk for hours about animation.”

Those connections have already begun to bear fruit: Yarhouse recently spoke via Zoom at a workshop for women in animation, invited by Senior Character VFX creator, Pramita Mukherjee. She also met the head of character visual effects at Dreamworks Animation, Pradipto Sengupta.

“Our students are going to the LightBox Expo in Pasadena in October, so Pramita and Pradipto offered to lead a tour for our students,” Yarhouse said. “It’s all because of the connections I made in India.”

Through her conversations, Yarhouse also had the opportunity to spread the word about a new animation initiative she is spearheading, “Peace for the Planet”. Inspired by the short films Russian animators created in protest of the invasion of Ukraine, the project invites animators to develop works around the topic of peace.

“The goal is to push against the idea that we need to have conflict to resolve our differences,” Yarhouse said. “There are 28 armed conflicts going on in the world right now as we speak. The power of the pencil is mightier than the sword, and it scares regimes.”

Yarhouse challenged Interlochen Arts Academy animation students to create short films about peace, then presented these works to the international board of ASIFA as a model for the initiative.

“They really liked the idea, because it fits with our goal of using animation to promote understanding among people around the world,” she said. “This initiative is now being launched around the world.”

As the current president of the Animation Workshop Group—a cohort of artist-teachers who lead animation workshops for children in 23 countries—Yarhouse is also working to get young animators involved in the project. Last summer, Intermediate animation students at Interlochen Arts Camp created works about peace as a model for AWG workshops around the globe.

“We’ve already put a whole bunch of animation on this subject into the can to seed these ideas out to the rest of the planet,” Yarhouse said. “We’re working with animators worldwide to build a momentum of voices speaking out against violence to solve our differences. I feel like this ties into what we’re doing here at Interlochen: Looking at the world stage and asking, ‘How can we model what it means to be an artist-citizen?’ There’s more to being an artist than just getting a job and making money. It’s about the quality of life that we’re going to promote, celebrate, and lift our voices toward.”

Yarhouse handed out 400 cards about the initiative to creators she met during the summit.

“I’m hoping there will be some good fruit—lots of animators joining in that conversation worldwide,” she said.

During her final day in India, Yarhouse had the opportunity to tour Mumbai with the mother of Instructor of Theatre Gulshirin Dubash.

“She’s 80, and she’s lived in the city her whole life, so she knows and loves all the history,” Yarhouse said. “We went to lunch together and did some shopping. She even took me to her bank—there were some classic 1920s and 1930s pictures of the city there—and went to a park so we could see the core of the city.”

Ultimately, the WAVES trip was an opportunity for Yarhouse to explore India’s vast film and television industry and connect with friends new and old.

“It was a time for the international animation community—in particular the Indian animation community—to come together,” Yarhouse said. “Thanks to the government of India for hosting me and ASIFA India and president Sanjay Khimesara for inviting me. To get a chance to see people I’ve known for years but never met in person was really rewarding.”

Want to learn more about animation at Interlochen? Explore our summer camp programs for middle school and high school animators, or check out Interlochen Arts Academy’s animation major.

Off

From the pines to the page: Interlochen inspires novels by alumni, faculty, and former staff (Stories 628136)

melissa.birdsey — Fri, 16 May 2025 14:22:19 +0000

From the pines to the page: Interlochen inspires novels by alumni, faculty, and former staff (Stories 628136) melissa.birdsey Fri, 05/16/2025 - 10:22 From the pines to the page: Interlochen inspires novels by alumni, faculty, and former staffEscape to the serenity of northern Michigan, relive the joy of creativity and connection, and explore powerful themes with books by Erika Randall, Howard Lovy, Dara Levan, and other Interlochen authors. May 21, 2025

Snippets of symphonies soaring through the pines, dancers framed by the sparkling waves of Green Lake, the palpable synergy of collaboration—there’s truly no place quite like Interlochen.

Generations of students, faculty, and staff have been transformed by the unique atmosphere that exists between the lakes. For many, the inspiration they found here animates their creative process for years to come—and in some cases, sparks works inspired by our one-of-a-kind community.

In the past few years, several alumni, faculty, and former staff members have published novels set at or based on Interlochen. We caught up with a few of these authors to learn more about their books and the memories that inspired them.

A road trip of reconciliation and reclamation: Music for Leaving by Erika Randall

Erika Randall’s (IAC/NMC 88-89, IAA 89-91, IAC Fac 99-01, 03-06) passion for dance and love of language have always intertwined: Her first author bio, written when she was just five years old, read, “When Erika grows up, she would like to be a dancer and a writer. Her favorite color is blue.”

“All these things are true,” Randall said in a recent interview with Crescendo.

Amidst her thriving career as a dancer, choreographer, educator, and filmmaker—she currently serves as Professor of Dance and Interim Dean and Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education at the University of Colorado Boulder—Randall recently added ‘novelist’ to her list of titles with the release of Music for Leaving. Set in the 1960s, the novel follows 61-year-old Eleanor on a road trip of reconciliation and reclamation on Interstate 70.

“I began the novel after losing my dad and while pregnant with my son,” Randall said. “I was so full up with grief and longing and wonder that I needed to write it down. I spent every summer with my dad in Michigan, so I knew that the lakes and Camp had to hold a piece of my heroine’s heart.”

While every mile of the road trip is meaningful, Interlochen serves as a key destination.

“The notion of a one-woman road trip felt thrilling to me and anchored the memories and flashbacks, literally driving the narrative forward,” Randall said. “Eleanor is on the journey of a lifetime, and Lake Wahbekanetta felt like the perfect place for her to release some of the weight she is carrying. I set the story in the very early years of the Academy, but I imagined that the artists then acted much like we did in the 90s—so it’s a bit of a historical fiction look at those early years as seen more through my personal, but still fictional, retelling.”

Along the way, the objects around Eleanor—a peach pit, her engagement ring, her dashboard hula dancer—are given voice to reveal truths such as longing, relief, and hope. The hula dancer is inspired by a real-life figurine that accompanied Randall and her colleagues during her summers on Interlochen’s Camp dance faculty.

“The ‘girls of summer’ on the dance faculty had a hula mascot named Jeremy who bobbled along with us on the back country roads to Otter Creek,” Randall said. “I made a dance in 2003 called ‘The Secret Lives of Dashboard Hula Dancers.’ I was intrigued by how the hula dancer sits on the dash and only sees the past. I wanted to play with road trip music and time and space; this dance became the seed for Music for Leaving years later.”

Those acquainted with Interlochen’s campus and the surrounding area can expect to see familiar landmarks featured in the novel.

“As Camp faculty, stories of polka night at the Karlin Inn fill my memories, so I had to get that historic spot in there,” Randall said. “Music sung in practice rooms in the basement of TJ rings through the pages of this book—thank you to Havilah and Marie for your voices and how they held me through my years at the Academy and lift me up today.”

With Music for Leaving in the rearview mirror, Randall is looking forward to the next chapter in her multifaceted life.

“My cup is very full,” Randall said. “Dancing remains at my center, and I will teach ballet in the fall. I still wake up and write each morning and am working on a new book that weaves memoir, historical fiction, and fiction called Ladyhorse—hopefully out next year.”

As Randall continues her creative journey, Interlochen remains as close to her heart as it does to her fictional heroine’s.

“My time at Interlochen defined much of my interior life and self-knowing and shaped my exterior world of making, career, and friendship,” Randall said. “No one place means more to me. I found my voice at Interlochen—not just as an artist in dance classes with Sharon Randolph, or as a scholar in Destiny in Classical Literature with Howard Hintze or Civil War History with Scott Dean. I heard it in the snow-lonely woods where I first learned to be quiet and listen; in the sunlight spilling across the water, reminding me that I was all that I needed; in the late summer horn solo soaring through the pines, teaching me that I am enough.”

“There is no single memory that time travels me back to the north woods or the dance building or TJ…but just to think of the autumn dapple, the hot summers in the old and perfect dance building, the snow-covered paths to the chapel, and I am there,” Randall continues. “It’s not the times of performances or accolades, but the light and the humans: So many friendships, so much laughter, so much genius in our feral bodies and wild imaginations. So many who are still beloved—Kate, Danny, Marie, Havi, Sammy, 2e, Guy, Lito, Tymn, Jen, Kristina, Kristen, Justin, Shira, Steph, Maggie… the list goes on and on like the memories, friends collected from my teen years and then again when I was lucky enough to return.”

“I feel like one of my greatest blessings is not only knowing Interlochen in nostalgia as a girl, but returning and working there as an adult, knowing all of the sides and all of the stories, and loving it still.”

You can keep up with Randall’s latest projects on her website. Music for Leaving is available for purchase at IngramSpark, via Amazon, and at major booksellers, including Barnes & Noble and BAM!

Music, memory, and maturity: Found and Lost: The Jake and Cait Story by Howard Lovy

Former Interlochen Arts Camp counselor Howard Lovy (IAC St 84-85) has built a successful career as a journalist, nonfiction author, and book editor since leaving the Land of the Stately Pines. But after years of coaching other writers and penning stories about serious topics such as science, technology, and Jewish issues for notable publications such as Publishers Weekly, Longreads, and The Jerusalem Post, Lovy was ready to explore a new style of writing.

“I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try something different,” Lovy said. “I wanted to write a novel.”

Lovy found the inspiration for that novel, Found and Lost: The Jake and Cait Story, while training for the Sleeping Bear Half Marathon.

“The idea was simple: What if a song recorded 40 years ago accidentally went viral today, forcing two reluctant, middle-aged musicians into the spotlight?” Lovy said. “I was so excited about the plot that I ran home, told my wife I was writing a novel, and spent the next four or five months working on it every day.”

The book centers on two musicians—guitarist Jake and violinist Cait—who meet while working as summer camp counselors at Interlochen and quickly develop a romantic and creative relationship. Lovy describes it as, “a fun book filled with lots of music, even cameos from famous musicians, that I think would delight the Interlochen community of any era.”

“While the book is fiction, I drew heavily on my experience as a counselor at Interlochen—the musical setting and the emotions tied to those memories,” Lovy said. “We were completely immersed in music, and that atmosphere inspired me to imagine two characters, Jake and Cait, who meet there, fall in love, and create music together. Interlochen felt like the right place for their story to begin.”

Jake and Cait’s heady partnership is accelerated by the isolated environment of northern Michigan. Lovy has long been fascinated by the sense of detachment from everyday existence that many vacationers and Interlochen students feel during their time in the region.

“Interlochen has always felt like its own world—a bubble set apart from the rest of life,” Lovy said. “I spent my childhood vacationing in northern Michigan, and then two college summers as a Camp counselor at Interlochen. It was a place where I could live almost a different life before returning to my ‘real’ one. That sense of separation helped me imagine Jake and Cait—two characters from very different backgrounds who meet inside that bubble and explode with creativity. Removed from their usual surroundings, they’re free to connect, make music, and fall in love.”

Following the viral success of one of their decades-old songs, Jake and Cait reunite at Interlochen and find that both the place and the person they remember have changed. The ideas of the passage of time and our evolution through life experience are central themes in the book—themes inspired, in part, by Lovy’s own return to Interlochen.

“I moved to northern Michigan about 14 years ago, and as a journalist, I had the chance to revisit Interlochen for the first time since the 1980s,” Lovy said. “I found myself back on campus, but in a completely different role. At first, it was a little strange. I was seeing Interlochen through the prism of memory—this is where something happened when I was 18, that’s where something else happened when I was 19. It really made me reflect on the passage of time. That contrast between memory and present-day reality ended up sparking the idea of weaving those themes into the book.”

Jake and Cait, too, experience the tension between the Interlochen of the past and present when they return to campus as adults.

“Interlochen has changed—there are so many new buildings—but more importantly, it has aged through their eyes,” Lovy said. “As teenagers, it was a place of endless possibility. When they come back in middle age, it’s layered with bittersweet memories, shaped by everything they’ve been through. In that way, Interlochen becomes a character in the story—changing as they change.”

Although Lovy has moved on to other projects—he’s currently working on a nonfiction book about fighting antisemitism—he’s excited to continue writing fiction in the future.

“I discovered that fiction gave me a new way to say things I hadn’t been able to express through journalism,” Lovy said. “It was freeing. In this made-up world, I could explore real themes—religion, music, connection, fame, aging. These are truths shaped by my 59 years of experience, but expressed through an invented story. It’s a way of thinking I hadn’t done before.”

And as for Jake and Cait? Lovy isn’t quite finished with them.

“I have ideas for two more books set in what I’m calling the ‘Jake and Cait Universe,’” Lovy said. “There are still a lot of unanswered questions—like what really happened during their 40 years apart. It’s not exactly a prequel or a sequel. It’s more of a ‘middle-quel.’ I’m not ready to let them go yet.”

Want to learn more about Found and Lost: The Jake and Cait Story? Listen to Lovy’s interview with Interlochen Public Radio. The book is available for purchase through Vine Leaves Press and Amazon.

A journey of acceptance and awakening: It Could Be Worse by Dara Levan

Those who have spent a summer beneath the Stately Pines know that the true magic of Interlochen isn’t mastering an aria or staging a full-length operetta: It’s finding a supportive community where you are embraced and supported not just as an artist, but as a human.

Author, podcast host, and Interlochen Trustee Dara Levan (IAC/NMC 83-90) knows this well. An alumna of Interlochen Arts Camp, Levan fondly recalls the holistic experience she enjoyed during her many seasons as a dance and operetta student.

“The eight summers I spent at Interlochen imprinted on my heart and have influenced me as an author, podcast host, speaker, and mother,” Levan said. “Dude Stephenson taught me about Gilbert and Sullivan; he also shared profound life lessons both on and off the stage. The tears I shed at ‘Les Préludes’ I now understand weren’t just about feeling sad leaving a safe, nurturing space. My family jokes that Interlochen comes up in every conversation, and it's true! The majestic pines, the Melody Freeze, rehearsals at Kresge, lake water lapping the shoreline, and the experiences that are fostered by a kind, caring community. Most of all, the epic growth that happens when we leave where we're from and discover who we are.”

Levan tapped into her deep well of Interlochen memories to create Camp Intermezzo, the fictional Michigan music camp that serves as a key location in her debut novel It Could Be Worse. The book follows Allegra Gil, a woman who is forced to grapple with a shocking family secret after making a surprising discovery in a piano bench.

Allegra’s story of acceptance and awakening unfolds in both present-day scenes and flashbacks—including memories of Allegra’s summers at Camp Intermezzo.

“Allegra feels understood, seen, and accepted in all phases of her childhood as she discovers who she is while at camp,” Levan said. “Whether she’s insecure about her body image, nervous about performing onstage in front of her peers, or going to her first dance, some of Allegra’s experiences mirror my own journey. I hope the magic of Camp Intermezzo, inspired by my time at Interlochen, is a sensory, uplifting journey for readers.”

Levan has maintained a busy creative practice since publishing It Could Be Worse; she continues to host the podcast Every Soul Has a Story and contributed an essay to the USA Today best-selling collection On Being Jewish Now. Her second novel, Shaken to the Core, will be published with Regalo Press in June 2026.

“Like It Could Be Worse, my upcoming novel has a summer camp setting,” Levan said. “This time, it takes place in Vermont and explores how motherhood and mothering transcends biology.”

Levan also continues to be involved with the Interlochen community as the mother of a recent Interlochen Arts Academy graduate and current member of the Board of Trustees.

“A spectrum of hues from the past and present inspires and invigorates me,” Levan said. “It's the honor of a lifetime to now serve as a Trustee on our board. I'm deeply grateful to give back to this magical place that shaped who I am today.”

It Could Be Worse is available from Amazon, Walmart, Target, and at major booksellers including Barnes & Noble and BAM! See Levan’s website for more information and other places to purchase.

Additional reading: The Charlotte Holmes series and Sunrise Nights by Dr. Brittany Cavallaro

Alumna and current Interlochen Arts Academy Instructor of Creative Writing Dr. Brittany Cavallaro has drawn inspiration for several of her books from her time as both a student and an instructor at Interlochen. Her New York Times best-selling Charlotte Holmes series is set at a fictional boarding school—a nod to her own experience as a student at the Academy.

In 2024, Cavallaro and co-author Jeff Zentner released Sunrise Nights, a verse-and-prose novel about two students who meet on their final night at a summer arts camp. While the idea of sharing an impossible-feeling night with a stranger was inspired by the 1995 film Before Sunrise, the arts camp setting was based on Cavallaro’s summers as an instructor at Interlochen Arts Camp.

“It’s a book about making art despite adversity, and dealing with what it feels like to have a big change in your plans,” Cavallaro said in a 2024 interview about the book. “It’s also an ode to all my favorite indie movies where two characters spend two hours having the best conversation of their lives. I really wanted to write a book that felt like that.”

Have you read or written a book that mentions Interlochen? Let us know at content@interlochen.org.

OnAlumni

Meet Megan Baxter: The Pushcart Prize-winning author shares a peek into her online writing courses (Stories 628140)

marycaroline.whims@interlochen.org — Fri, 16 May 2025 15:30:56 +0000

Meet Megan Baxter: The Pushcart Prize-winning author shares a peek into her online writing courses (Stories 628140) marycaroline.w… Fri, 05/16/2025 - 11:30 Meet Megan Baxter: The Pushcart Prize-winning author shares a peek into her online writing coursesFrom planning first drafts to finding an agent, Baxter supports her students every step of the way. May 16, 2025

For almost every creative writer, the big dream is the same: get published. There’s nothing like the feeling of seeing your essay printed inside your favorite magazine, or holding a proof copy of your book in your hands. If you share this dream—if you want the world to read your work—there’s no surer path to success than learning from someone who’s already done it.

Meet Megan Baxter (IAC 02, IAA 02-04), an Interlochen Online instructor and the ideal mentor for creative writers looking to build a broad readership. She teaches from experience: Baxter has published three books of creative nonfiction; garnered a worldwide readership through submitting her work to publications like The Threepenny Review and Creative Nonfiction Magazine; and even won a Pushcart Prize. She offers a glimpse into what happens inside her online courses, reveals some of the awards her students have won, and even shares a favorite writing exercise.

When did you first become passionate about writing?

I wanted to be a writer by the fourth grade. I loved to read and I had devoured so many books by that age. I thought that there could be nothing cooler than being a writer and giving other people the kinds of experiences I’d had with my favorite books. My middle school English teacher, who was a mentor to me, encouraged me to submit my application to Interlochen Arts Camp. I didn’t want to go at first—I was an obstinate, won’t-try-anything-new kind of teenager. But I got in and after one day of being on the campus, I knew I couldn’t go back to public high school. So I applied to the Academy while I was at Camp and studied creative writing here for two years.

You’ve been very active in the literary world, publishing several books and earning multiple awards. How does your experience translate into helping your students reach similar goals?

I believe that part of our obligation as creative writers is to share our work with other people, whether that is directly connecting with someone and sharing our manuscript or through self-publishing. But the most common path to having other eyes on our work is through the submission process, and I encourage all of my students to participate in that. Submissions and writing competitions are opportunities for writers to have their work read by a bigger audience, which is what we all want. When you win something or get your work into a journal, it always opens more doors for you in the writing world.

How do you create an authentic writing workshop experience within an online class?

As writers, much of our work is text-based, so that translates quite easily into an online setting. I treat my weekly Zoom workshops as a space where we can connect with each other on an individual level, like we're all sitting around a table. I facilitate regular Q&A’s and discussions during these sessions. Then, for the last two weeks of the class, the students get to share their work with one another. My students always really enjoy this part of the class because they get to see what everyone else is doing and hear direct feedback that helps them through the revision process and into the next draft.

How do you encourage writers to create work that truly connects with readers?

The best tool I have as a teacher is to show my students great example texts from contemporary or traditional masters of creative writing. I show my students how the masters use literary tools and what makes them effective. It’s like being a visual artist and going into a museum—if you're learning about painting techniques, you need to see how different masters and time periods have approached the landscape or the human figure. Over time, you find your own voice and style, and individuate yourself from the masterworks to create something unique. I give my students a lot of space to experiment and I encourage them to take risks and try new things.

Have any of your students achieved success in the literary world after working with you?

I've had students win national competitions for young writers, including YoungArts, the Scholastic program, the Adroit Poetry Prize and mentorship programs, and the Davidson Fellowship. One of my students won the Oxford Flash Fiction New Voice Prize as a 15-year-old competing against writers of all ages from around the world. I've also had students who, based on the power of their writing portfolios as well as their academic performance, have earned full ride scholarships to Oxford or to Princeton. I help students who are writing for the elementary school age bracket get their work into publications like Stone Soup and Cricket. With my adult students, I spend quite a bit of time coaching them through the pitch process and teaching them how to get agents. And several students from my memoir writing classes are very close to publishing their books.

What’s one of your favorite writing exercises to give students?

I’ve found that the simplest exercises often end up producing the most impactful creative sessions. For example, to explore the idea of setting, I’ll ask students to list a description of every sense they experience in a particular place. What do you smell or taste or feel? What do you hear? What do you see? It helps students appreciate the idea of setting as more than just a stage, but as a reality they can bring to life.

I also teach my students how to do pre-writing and brainstorming, which helps tremendously with that feeling of trepidation we all have about the blank page. You can use a variety of organizational tools to help you feel a little bit more put together when you get to that first draft. You can start with a timeline, a plot outline, or even a character development sheet that you can reference as you move forward. My students find that to be incredibly helpful.

How do you stay connected to your students after the class is over?

Almost half of my students and I maintain some kind of connection after the course has ended. Sometimes I keep in touch as things progress in their work, or they connect with me through Interlochen Online’s private lessons. That way, I can individually coach them as they work through longer drafts. Some of my students have worked with me for up to four years, and I’ve watched them grow so much over that time period.

But, whether or not they sign up for one-on-one lessons with me, it’s my joy as an instructor to be a mentor to my students even when the class is over. Some of my students have gone on to find success at Arts Academy—like Seal Kirtley, who won the Virginia B. Ball Creative Writing Competition and earned a full ride scholarship to the school. And writing letters of recommendation or helping a student navigate the college application process is always rewarding to me.

Interlochen Online is a year-round source of expert online arts education, offering opportunities for children, teens, and adults to develop and nurture their artistic abilities. Whether through four-week courses, certificate programs, or private lessons, you can experience Interlochen’s world-renowned training in an online environment that fosters creativity, confidence, and collaboration. Learn more about Interlochen Online.

OnPrimary /sites/default/files/styles/hero/public/student-spotlight-photos/2025-05/Screenshot%202025-05-12%20at%204.03.00%E2%80%AFPM.jpeg?itok=jrLJTib9

‘No ordinary high school’: Retiring Instructor of English Timothy Johnson reflects on his 20-year career at Interlochen Arts Academy (Stories 628137)

melissa.birdsey — Fri, 16 May 2025 14:45:45 +0000

‘No ordinary high school’: Retiring Instructor of English Timothy Johnson reflects on his 20-year career at Interlochen Arts Academy (Stories 628137) melissa.birdsey Fri, 05/16/2025 - 10:45 ‘No ordinary high school’: Retiring Instructor of English Timothy Johnson reflects on his 20-year career at Interlochen Arts AcademyJohnson shares his favorite memories of his lifelong relationship with Interlochen—from listening to ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’ on IPR to leading Bloomsday celebrations in Mott Rotunda. May 16, 2025

Timothy Johnson (center) poses with Interlochen Provost Camille Colatosti (left) and President Trey Devey (right) after receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Timothy J. Johnson has held many roles in his lifetime: Writer, educator, journalist, editor, proofreader, bartender, and restaurateur.

His globe-trotting career has seen him tend bar at Manhattan’s famous Russian Tea Room and teach in the People’s Republic of China. But for the past two decades, Johnson has served as Instructor of English at Interlochen Arts Academy—instilling a deep and lasting love for literature in hundreds of young artists.

“Literature exists at the nexus between arts and academics, and for any aspiring artist, the study of this art form is invaluable,” Johnson said. “Literature teaches us how to be human. All literature is story, and as humans, we are hard-wired for story—we lean in reflexively: Go on. Tell me more. Don’t stop now!”

Beloved by his students for his wry humor, generosity of spirit, and cerebral yet soulful approach to teaching literature, Johnson has received numerous accolades for his role as an educator, including Scholastic’s Gold Medal for Outstanding Educator. In May, Johnson was awarded Interlochen’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his unwavering belief in the transformative power of literature and his enduring commitment to his students.

This May, Johnson will retire after 20 years of service at Interlochen Arts Academy. We caught up with Johnson to learn more about his favorite memories, proudest moments, and plans for retirement.

How did you realize teaching was your calling?
I’m not sure about the whole idea of a “calling.” Calls can come from different directions, and frankly, a lot of what we end up doing in this life depends on time, place, and circumstance.

I came from a family of educators; both my parents were teachers, and four out of five of my siblings also became teachers. My graduate education prepared me for college-level teaching, and while I did a bit of that, including a year-long appointment in the People’s Republic of China, I was more interested as a young writer in a career that actually involved writing.

I spent a busy apprenticeship working for a small-town daily newspaper; I loved it but the hours were crazy and the pay was absurdly low. I jumped at a chance to write for corporate publications, where I could set my own schedule and the pay was absurdly high—but the work itself was soul-crushing. I also spent a good number of years tending bar, most enjoyably at the famous Russian Tea Room in Manhattan, and another decade opening and running a nationally-recognized restaurant with my wife and little sister here in northern Michigan. As I look back, all of these roles seem to have called to me, and they were all rewarding in their own way. I think they all made me a better teacher, too.

How did you first hear about Interlochen? What inspired you to apply for your position?
My parents were both art lovers, and growing up in Benzonia I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know about Interlochen. My mother loved classical music, and especially opera, so the radio dial was permanently set to 88.7. I’ll never forget coming home from school one day and finding her in tears, listening to the end of Lucia di Lammermoor. My parents raised a large family on a school teacher’s budget, but somehow they found the means to take us to plays and concerts at Interlochen with some regularity. Actually, they had known about Interlochen before they moved here in the late 50’s, and considered it a strong point in northern Michigan’s favor! When my wife and I moved back to Michigan ourselves and I saw a posting for a part-time teaching gig at Interlochen Arts Academy, my application was in the mail the same day.

You first taught at Interlochen for a few years in the 1990s before joining the faculty again in the early 2000s. What brought you back to Interlochen?
Much as I admired Interlochen, I didn’t imagine a full-time teaching career here. For one thing, I had never aspired to be a high school teacher; having observed at close range the amount of work my parents did, I was clear-eyed about the effort required.

But Interlochen was no ordinary high school. Working with passionate young artists whose families truly valued education proved to be an extraordinary experience. The faculty that surrounded me was also extraordinary, both in the arts and academics. Imagine being invited as an English teacher to fashion curricula that both reflected and expressed my own literary passions. This was an unheard-of teacherly freedom. Small class sizes also held great appeal, and the opportunity to attend a continuous stream of plays, concerts, and exhibitions.

What are some of your fondest memories of Interlochen? Any stories you’d like to share?
Back in the day we put together an annual Bloomsday celebration in the Mott Rotunda to honor the publication of James Joyce’s Ulysses—Irish songs, Irish dance, Irish food, and student presentations that were related in one way or another to Ireland and/or Joyce. It was a great event.

I remember once, a Theatre major proposed to adapt a scene from the novel and present it as a monologue. Sounded good.

Well, the scene she chose was Molly Bloom’s finale, which is pretty racy to say the least. So, there we were, a hundred-plus students and quite a few faculty members, and of course, right then is when a dean decided to show up. The young woman was in costume, layers of which she removed as the monologue proceeded, until our Molly Bloom was wearing nothing but actual bloomers and a whale-bone corset. I came within millimeters of calling for her to stop, but honestly, she was doing terrific work. It was both spellbinding and dumbfounding on so many levels.

As the piece came to a close she sank to the floor amidst the discarded layers of her costume and passionately uttered those famous final words that close the novel: “Yes I said Yes I will Yes.” To his everlasting credit, the dean was among the first to break into applause, and before leaving the rotunda he leaned over to murmur “THAT was AMAZING!”

Looking back on your career at Interlochen, what are you most proud of?
There’s a lot of day-to-day work teachers do. In my discipline it’s everything from parts of speech to analytical/interpretive strategies to the planning and execution of essays. But honestly, the thing I’m most proud of is the success I’ve had helping many students cultivate a genuine appreciation for the beauty and complexity of great literary art. It’s very affirming when they thank me for this.

What will you miss most about teaching at Interlochen?
My students, and our discussions. Those wonderful moments when you watch the lights go on.

What’s next for you? Any plans for retirement?
I re-read everything that I teach, and of course there are the hundreds of student papers every year, so I’m really looking forward to more time for my own reading. New books, but also old books that have long been on my list—Proust and Trollope, finishing the Faulkner canon, maybe Finnegan’s Wake but probably not. Also reclaiming my writerly self. Greater political activism, as the times clearly require it. Travel, family, movies, friends, and gardening. I have no worries about keeping busy!

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