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In Memoriam: September 2022

It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of Lee “Coach” Cabutti (IAC St 46-56, 63-92), who passed away on Sept. 8, 2022 at the age of 97. A 40-year member of the Interlochen Arts Camp staff, Cabutti served as a Junior Boys (now Junior Pines) counselor for 11 years and as Director of High School Boys (now High School Pines) for 30 years. Cabutti emphasized treating all students equally, valued hard work, and believed that the Arts Camp experience taught students important life lessons beyond the arts. Cabutti also encouraged students to participate in recreational and athletic activities, which he believed fostered heightened artistic and personal achievement. Memorial service details will be shared at a later date.

We are also deeply saddened to share the passing of Jorja Fleezanis (AS 63-64; IAC/NMC 65-66; IAA 66-67, 68-69; IAC Fac 05, 10-13, 20; IAA Fac 21-22) who passed away on Sept. 10, 2022 at the age of 70. Fleezanis joined the Minnesota Orchestra as concertmaster in 1989, making her just the second woman to hold the position of concertmaster with a major U.S. orchestra. She retired in 2009 as the longest-tenured concertmaster in the orchestra’s history. Fleezanis returned to Interlochen in the summer of 2005 as a Valade Fellow, joining the Academy faculty in 2021 as a private lesson instructor and Visiting Faculty for Creative Orchestral Studies.

Melba Louise Bram (UNIV 47; ICA St 47-55, 56-84) of Tempe, Arizona passed away on Aug. 31, 2022. Bram was an ardent supporter of Interlochen and a long-time staff member, serving as Office Manager, Director of Publications, Director of Alumni Relations, Corporate Secretary, and Assistant to the President during her 37-year tenure.

Nancy Ann Rosenthal (IAC/NMC 49-52) of Cincinnati, Ohio, passed away on June 1, 2022.

Janet Bez Ebert (IAC/NMC 52) of Urbana, Ohio, passed away on August 13, 2022.

Barbara Settel (IAC/NMC 60-64) of Cazenovia, New York, passed away on April 5, 2021.

Ken Batchelor (ICA 76-77) of Thompsonville, Michigan, passed away on Sept. 4, 2022.

Erika Cornelisen (IAC 93) of Chicago, Illinois, passed away on Oct. 7, 2021.