Comments listed from oldest to newest - last updated May 23, 2007

BRAVO! We are so happy and proud that our daughter has the opportunity to be a member of the freshman class at Interlochen. Thank you for your committment to the arts and for the place she now calls home. -- Lynne Credi from LaSalle, Illinois

Congratulations Interlochen!!! I went to Interlochen camp last summer and I think you deserve this honor!!! -- Leigh Blanchard from Chicago

Congratulations to everyone at the Interlochen Center for the Arts for receiving this great honor. As a former camper and staff member, I have always known how great Interlochen is. My family and I continue to follow the wonderful activities at Interlochen each year as alumni members. You are the best in the world! Thank you for all you do for our extremely talented young people of today. -- Judy Culler from Redford, Michigan

Congratulations on a well deserved honor!! -- Danny Abosch (IAC 04-06) from Deerfield, IL

Well Deserved! -- Don Dixon from Chicago

Congrats to Interlochen!! As a past staff member and the son of Lee Cabutti, longtime High School Boys Director, I continue to have a deep love for Interlochen. I applaud everyone who continues to make Interlochen a very special place for the young artists who attend there!! -- Mark Cabutti from Champaign, IL

As an alum of the Arts camp (3 years in the last 70s) and one year at the Academy (1983-84) who hopes to send my three boys there some day, I am so pleased that Interlochen has received such a wonderful honor! -- Naomi L. Adler, Esq. President & CEO, United Way of Rockland County, NY

Congratulations! I only went to Interlochen for one summer as a dance major, but it is the most memorable summer of my life. -- Pat Kelly McArdle from Augusta, GA

super! keep up the good work. interlochen influenced me to discover my potentional as young muscian. -- Pauline Boeykens from Berlin, Germany

Interlochen is a very special place and this honor is well deserved. To have our daughter a part of this academy is is a joy that will live in our hearts forever. -- David & Jennifer DiLoreto from Grosse Pointe Farms Michigan

This is WELL-deserved recognition of Interlochen's inspirational and FAR-reaching influence in arts education... ESPECIALLY in recognition of President Kimpton's leadership in KEEPING Interlochen the PREMIERE arts organization in the US. I am SO proud to be an alum! -- Rick Robinson from Detroit, MI

A much deserved award for a treasured camp, school, and community of artists from around the globe. And....oh how I miss camp!! -- Rayche Cohen from Washington, DC

CONGRATULATIONS to all who have worked so hard... faculty, students, staff, families, volunteers and so many others. What a tremendous nod to our wonderful history and dynamic future. BRAVO! -- Anne & Dan Shoup from Empire, MI

Congratulations on being recognized for what we have know since you nurtured our daughter's artistic talents! You deserved it! Please continue your tradition of excellence. -- Christopher Abiss and Gail Cmer from Phoenixville, PA

Congratulations on a well deserved honor! Our daughter is looking forward to going back to Interlochen this summer for All State camp! -- The Tatara's from Mason, MI

Bravo ! Congratulations ! and Encore ! Encore ! -- Ken C from LaSalle, Il

Great job guys! I can't think of an organization that deserves this more. Congrats! -- Katie Cummings from Wisconsin

Congratulations on a well deserved honor. -- Deb & Norm Stahl from Flowery Branch, GA

Congrats IAC. This award makes me just that much more proud to belong to the Interlochen family. Keep up the amazing work! -- Dana J. Olkkonen from Stockton, CA

This is what Interlochen is!!! - An opportunity awaiting for the future artist. What a proud alumnus I am to have been a part of. Bless you for being!!!!!!! -- Robert W Anderson from Newberry, SC

Makes sense to me! Rock on Interlochen! -- Karel Butz from Indiana University School of Music

Congratulations to everyone that makes Interlochen so special. Mr. Kimpton you are the best, most enthusiastic, visionary leader that a parent could wish for a school. Arts in Interlochen is magic, and today magic got a National Medal of Arts. -- Esther Pereira from Fort Lauderdale FL

This is stupendous news! What a prestigious honor, acknowledging Dr. Maddy's original vision, Interlochen's long wonderful history, and all of the recent improvements to the campus and the curriculum. Interlochen remains "a chalice for youth," as E.M. Forster used to say, and also for the arts and for what is best in American culture. Congratulations to all! -- Robert B. Dimmick IAA 80-82 from Boston, Massachusetts

It warms my heart to hear this news. Interlochen was the most positive influence on my life to date. I developed as an artist and as a person during my 2 years at the academy, and my 2 summers at the All State program. Congratulations, Interlochen. You truly deserve this great honor. -- Amy Bogetto-Weinraub from Ann Arbor, MI

Bravo and hearty congratulations to the administration, teachers and staff who make Interlochen Center for the Arts such a special place! Our daughter, Kristen, blossomed during her time spent on your lovely campus - both at summer camp and, most especially, during her senior year at IAA. The memories are precious and the gifts bestowed will last a lifetime! Many thanks. -- John & Sue Shirkey from Port Huron, MI

What a wonderful honor and so deserving. My granddaughter was thrilled to be invited and had a "awesome" time. Thank you for this wonderful camp! -- Kay Wilson from Mason, Michigan

Congratulations to all. An honor waiting to happen. -- Jack Hood from Traverse City, MI

Congratulations! If any school desreves this kind of recognition it is Interlochen. You have done so much for children through the camp and academy for so many years. -- Ruth Bernstein from Seabeck, Washington

I am not surprised at all by this award. Interlochen has been for years a center of excellence in Michigan, and for my son in particular, it was the only home away from home. It was a place where he could be himself and interact with other children like himself. Congratulations on this well deserved honor and thank you for all you do. -- Regina Truss from Kalamazoo, Mi

Now everyone knows what all of us who have been a part of Interlochen have always known. It is a place on earth like no other. I thank God, the arts are alive and well and thriving at Interlochen. -- Heidi Chisholm Wolfgang from New York

AT LAST!! Interlochen gets the richly deserved recognition that our Academy charter class always believed would come! BRAVO!!! Keep up the good work, President Kimpton! -- Linda James McKee from Flower Mound, TX

This is a terrific achievement, and you are in very good company this year. -- Eugene Lambert from Washington, DC

Congratulations! My daughter attended the Advanced Vocal Program this past summer and she wells up with emotion when she talks about it. She says it is the best think she has ever done in her life. Interlochen will always be special to us. -- Michelle Watzig from Olathe, KS

Congratulations to all on this very special award! As one of many whose life was changed by the Interlochen experience, I am proud to see this happen. -- Lilias Circle from Evanston, IL

Congratulations to Interlochen, which enriches this whole region by its presence. -- Chris Campbell from Traverse City

Congrats Interlochen!!! A well deserved award, to a wonderful, magical place! -- Victor Connelly from Deltona, Florida

Congratulations to everyone who has helped make Interlochen Center for the Arts a wonderful place for students to live and learn. I am blessed to be a part of this amazing community, surrounded by superbly talented and gifted young people. -- Betty Bushey from Interlochen Center for the Arts

Hooray for Interlochen. It deserves this honor. I never cease to be amazed by what the students and faculty at Interlochen produced artistically. -- Marie Randazzo from Chicago, Illinois

Congratulations from all of us here in California! Interlochen Rocks! -- Anonymous

We are so pleased to get this good news! -- Ninon and Megan Martinez from Belize City, Belize

THANK'S A LOT FOR SENDING SOOO NICE INFO. HEARTLY CONGRATULATE ALL OF YOU !!! HAVE MORE AND MORE TALANTED STUDENTS AND THEIR NEW SUCCESES!!! PEACE AND LOVE TO YOUR !!!! INTERLOCHEN IS REALLY FANTASTIK HOME FOR SAVING AND PROGRESS THE ART AT OUR DIFFICULT TIME. THANK'S AND CONGRATULATE AGAIN. -- WITH LOVE ADELYA from TURKMENISTAN P.S. PLEASE,EXCUSE ME FOR MISTAKES, I AM RUSSIAN SPEEKER.

Interlochen is so deserving of the National Medal of Arts. This award is a reminder to all just what a privilege it is to be a part of Joe Maddy's dream. As individuals be reminded that striving for excellence is a life long goal. As an artist your work has the potential to last long after you are gone, and has the potential to influence the world forever. Congratulations Interlochen the best of the best at educating artists of all ages. -- Jeff and Anna Schmidt from Waterville, Ohio

Congratulations to all our Interlochen colleagues! Everyone at HSPVA applauds this fabulous recognition of your school’s many years of artistic achievement! This is a well-deserved award for Interlochen’s decades of contributions to the cultural health of our country and to the successes of thousands of deserving artists! What a great honor! BRAVO and best wishes for the future!!! -- Mary Martha Lappe and all your Houston HSPVA Friends!

Dear Interlochen employes, members and staff,
This is reason more for us, as parents of two international students (Biljana and Filip Bosevski) who graduated at Interlochen, to be proud for the fact that National Medal has been given to IAA. This makes us honored and proud to be a part of Intelochen family.Thank you for sharing this extraordinary good news with us. Congratulations once again for the exceptional Award, wishing you further success in your work in the future. -- Sonja and Ljubomir Bosevski

What a well deserved honor! The positive impact on the arts Interlochen has had is immeasurable. I join all from NETWORK, and on behalf of our Board and all who benefit from your tireless efforts in championing the arts and nurturing future generations of artists and art lovers, congratulations and a great thank you. We applaud the success of your dedication to advancing the arts among young people. With warmest regards,
William H. Banchs, President,
NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR ADVANCEMENT IN THE ARTS,
Miami, FL

Congratulations to the Interlochen family on the well deserved honor of receiving the National Medal of Arts. Interlochen is the gold standard for arts education. A committed faculty, an enthusiastic administration, loyal alumni, and generous donors have worked in tandem over the years to create the most nurturing environment for young artists in the nation. I hope that you celebrate this accolade in a big way. NFAA is honored to partner with such a prestigious institution.
Christopher Schram
Vice President
National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts
Miami, FL

What a tremendous honor for anyone ever associated with Interlochen! I often refer to my year at the Academy as the best year of my life. This award should be viewed not only as recognition of the incredible arts community that Interlochen is, but also as the place where so many people grow in their person. Bravo to all!! -- Kaari Keivit Hulverson IAA 1986-87, ICA Staff 1990 from Burtchville, MI

Warmest congratulations to an organization who has deeply transformed thousands of lives through the power of the arts. -- Adrienne Hirsch from Evanston, Illinois

Amazing! Interlochen was always a very special place. So glad there is national recognition. -- Carol Ann Hack from Pepperdine University Fine Arts

I am thrilled about this award and feel a renewed sense of honor about being part of the Interlochen community. -- John Witherspoon from Washington, DC

Congratulations and a big applause to all of you at Interlochen for that medal! May the Good Spirit that reigns over you, Creativity, Understanding, Integration, Motivation, Brotherhood lives there forever... -- Anonymous

Our most sincere congratulations on this well-deserved honor! -- Til Klem, LaSalle Private Banking from Troy, MI

Most deserved! Bravo! -- Robin Shafer + Art Haiss from Waterville, Amine

What a perfect crowning achievment for a wonderful, enchanting place! Congrats and, way to go Interlochen! -- Tony Gould from Washington, DC

Congratulations to everyone involved in making this historic achievement possible. What a joy it is to be part of the Interlochen family. -- Mary & Jim Tolley from Sarasota, Florida

Congratulations on this honor; Interlochen definitely deserves this award. It is the most amazing and meaningful arts community in the world. -- Benjamin Lulich (IAA 98-01) from Kansas City, MO

Thank you for sending the message about the announcement Interlochen has been awarded the 2006 National Medal of Arts. I am proud of all of you that make Interlochen so special and also proud to have attended the summer of 1980 and 1981. Keep up the good work. I am still playing the french horn and sang in China 2001 and the Panama Canal 2004. Every young musician/artist I meet I tell about Interlochen. God bless and keep America singing...... -- Michael Rovno

Congratulations on the wonderful National Medal of Arts recognition—not surprised to learn your extraordinary school is the recipient. Best wishes for continued success. -- Patrick F. Bassett, President, National Association of Independent Schools

TERRIFIC NEWS FOR ALL NMC AND ARTS CENTER ALUMNI AND FRIENDS! WHAT AN HONOR--WELL DESERVED. AS A FORMER CAMPER(UNIVERITY OF MICH DIV.) AND FACULTY MEMBER (FOUR YEARS) I HOLD INTERLOCHEN AS MAJOR INFLUENCE ON MY LIFE. BEST TO DR. KIMPTON--OLD FRIEND FROM MNAY YEARS AGO. -- DR. DONALD J. SHETLER from MT.PLEASANT SC.

Congratulations to Interlochen!!! I look forward to spending my summer with you as a musician!!! -- Cailey Brazee, Tennessee