Motifs: September 2025
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Morton Achter (IAC/NMC 48-55; UNIV 56, 59; IAC St 57) is still directing for local community theatres. In March 2025, he directed Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap for the Chocolate Church Arts Center in Bath, Maine. He also teaches courses in music and theatre for the Midcoast Senior College in Brunswick, Maine.
Richard Eisenberg (IAC/NMC 69-72) won the 2025 Silver Award from the National Mature Media Awards and the Bronze Award from Digital Health Association's Digital Health Awards for articles he wrote about "unretirement" and Medicare.
Leisa (Hungle) Rich (IAA 75-78) moved back to her home country, Canada, in 2020 after decades abroad and in the U.S. She lives on a remote island accessible only by ferry. In addition to maintaining a dynamic career in art and art education, she published a children’s book and a series of how-to art books. She is the founder of The Rich Foundation, donating art scholarships and residencies.
Laura Nelson (IAA 78-79) is the author of the historical fiction novel The Water Tiger. The book is available through Barnes & Noble and Amazon.
Ramiro Belgardt (AS 83) won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Nonfiction or Reality Program during the Creative Arts Emmy Awards Ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. Belgradt was recognized for his work on Music by John Williams (with Dmitri Makarov, Tim Farrell, and Richard Gould).
Aaron Dworkin (IAA 86-88) has published his latest book, Entangleism: The Small Science and Big Art of Loving Your Life. The book interweaves radiant personal stories with the forefront of discoveries in quantum physics and neuroscience, presenting a groundbreaking worldview—Entangleism—that beckons readers to reimagine their relationships, communities, and the planet's future through the dazzling perspective of universal interconnectedness.
Kathleen (Hoffman) Staten (IAC/NMC 87-89, 91-93; IAA 92-93) earned her M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University and founded Your MBA Friend, a consulting firm dedicated to mission-driven and nonprofit organizations. Her background in the arts informs her leadership approach—creative, resilient, and vision-driven—as she works with organizations to translate vision into sustainable impact.
Margaret “Maggie” Critz (IAA 88-90, IAA St 92-93) is a former creative writing major who now channels her love of storytelling into her own company, For the Good Times Travel, curating luxury, story-driven journeys that slow travelers down and connect them deeply with each place.
Anne-Marie Kavulla (IAC/NMC 89, IAA 89-93) is bringing her solo show, Songs of a Midlife Crisis, to the Laurie Beechman Theatre this fall. The show, which made a sold-out debut at Joe’s Pub in May, is a rollercoaster ride through motherhood, multitasking, and perimenopause with a diverse setlist ranging from Frank Loesser to Janis Joplin.
Katie Kitamura’s (IAC 90) novel Audition was selected as one of the 13 nominees for the Booker Prize—one of the literary world’s most coveted awards. A six-book shortlist will be announced on Sept. 23; the winner will be unveiled on Nov. 10.
Evan Kuhlmann (IAA 00-02, IAC Fac 25) was thrilled to return to Interlochen in person this summer as a Valade Fellow teaching bassoon, 23 years after graduating from the Academy. Kuhlmann has been a member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic for almost seven years, and is on the faculty of the Colburn School for the Performing Arts.
Hunter Noack (IAC 00-01, IAA 03-06), a classical pianist who stages live performances in outdoor settings through his “In a Landscape” project, was recently featured in The New York Times.
Duncan Thum (IAA 00-02) won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Documentary Series or Special and Outstanding Sound Editing for a Nonfiction or Reality Program during the Creative Arts Emmy Awards Ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. Thum was recognized for his work on Chef’s Table (with David Bertok).
Kathleen Carter Bell (IAC 07; IAC St 17, 22-23; IAC Fac 24) was recently appointed artistic director of Chamber Music Amarillo. Bell, who also serves as Assistant Professor of Oboe at West Texas A&M University, is the first female leader of the Amarillo Symphony-affiliated chamber music group.
David Heinze (IAC 07-09, IAA 12-13) passed the Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists (FRCO) examination in July 2025 and was awarded the Turpin-Durrant and Dixon Prizes for second highest marks in the Practical Examination (solo repertoire and keyboard skills) and highest marks in Improvisation, respectively. Heinze was a student of Thomas Bara during his time at Camp and Academy.
Samuel Huss (AS 09) has joined The Philadelphia Orchestra as a 4th/Utility trumpet. Prior to his appointment, Huss served as principal trumpet of the Richmond Symphony since 2018. Huss won first prize at the National Trumpet Competition (USA) in 2013 and has been a guest performer with the Cincinnati, Detroit, National, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and Charlotte symphonies; the Rochester Philharmonic; and Houston Grand Opera.
Kathleen Mills (IAC 09-11, IAA 12-14) recently completed a Ph.D. in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis from Weill Cornell Graduate School. For her work, she was awarded the Rachele Prize (the highest student honor for research at Weill Cornell) and the Petska Award from the International Cytokine and Interferon Society. In September, she will begin a postdoctoral fellowship at Boston University.
Yvette Kraft (IAC 13-16) has joined the first violin section of the San Francisco Symphony, holding the Isaac Stern Chair. Kraft was the winner of both the 2024 Aspen Music Festival Violin Concerto Competition and the 2024 DeLay Fellowship Award and was a 2023 Frances Walton Competition solo winner. Kraft completed her studies at the Colburn Conservatory of Music, winning the 2025 Frances Rosen Prize upon graduation.
Emma Skryzypczak (IAA 18-20) recently joined Debra Collier’s School of Dance as a modern dance instructor. Skryzypczak is also a member of the corps de ballet at Fort Wayne Ballet.
Evan Yonce (IAC 18, IAA 19-21, IO 20) joined the Toronto Symphony Orchestra as associate principal oboe ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Shelby Eppich (IAC St 21-22, ICA St 21-25) was named one of the Traverse City Business News’ 2025 40 Under 40. Eppich, who started her career as a Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS intern, currently serves as Interlochen’s Centennial Celebration Manager.
Elaina Stuppler (IO 22) was selected as one of the recipients of Salon De Virtuosi’s 2025 career grants. In addition to the $5,000 grant, Stuppler was also awarded a commission as part of the Luna Composition Lab’s Luna Lab @10 Celebration.
Chloe Wilkes (IAC 23) is a participant in the New York Philharmonic’s Very Young Composers program. Wilkes was one of 14 students selected to have her work showcased on New York-based radio station WQXR; her piece, “Wiggles,” was performed by members of The Knights.
