Interlochen Oral History Project


In 2028, Interlochen will celebrate 100 years of world friendship through the universal language of the arts. You can help document and preserve our rich heritage by sharing memories of your Interlochen experience and the lasting impact of your time between the lakes. We hope to gather stories from every corner of the Interlochen community and want to hear from you!

About the Project

Your stories and reflections will be collected in a digital library available online as part of Interlochen's Centennial Celebration and preserved in Interlochen's archives into the future. We hope to gather stories from every corner of the Interlochen community and want to hear from you! 

Wondering if you have a story to share? Here are some questions to consider:

  • How did you learn about Interlochen, and what drew you here?
  • What’s your favorite memory from your time at Interlochen?
  • Who was the most memorable person you encountered at Interlochen, and why?
  • What did you learn at Interlochen that turned out to have a significant impact on your life?
  • What project or performance stands out in your memory?
  • What lasting friendships did you form at Interlochen?
  • How did your time at Interlochen influence your personal and professional journey?
  • What advice would you give to current and future students at Interlochen?
  • Why does art matter in the world today?

Share Your Story 

We want to hear from you! Share memories of your Interlochen experience and the lasting impact of your time between the lakes. You can schedule an in-person interview while on campus or via Zoom from wherever you are. Don't miss this opportunity to be a lasting part of Interlochen history.

Schedule Now

Practice cabins at Interlochen Arts Camp

Explore Interlochen Stories

Connect with Interlochen's history through the voices of the people who lived and shaped it. New stories are added regularly.

Mort Achter plays bass clarinet as a student at National Music Camp in the 1950s.

Mort Achter

National Music Camp alum

Headshot of Catherine Berger-Dujmovic

Catherine Berger-Dujmovic

National Music Camp alum

Headshot of J Beery

J Berry

National Music Camp alum and longtime staff and faculty at Camp and Academy

Headshot of Eileen Bora

Eileen Bora

Interlochen Arts Camp and Interlochen Arts Academy alum

Practice cabins at Interlochen Arts Camp

Karen Daugherty Boyd

National Music Camp alum and former Camp staff

Headshot of Robert Bracken

Robert Bracken

Camp and Academy alum and engagement volunteer

Headshot of Gretchen Carr

Gretchen Carr

National Music Camp alum, Camp parent, and former employee

Headshot of Ren Casey

Ren Casey

Interlochen Arts Camp and Interlochen Arts Academy alum

Side-by-side images of sisters Emy Zener and Michelle Chapin today and from National Music Camp in the 1980s.

Michelle Chapin and Emy Zener

Sisters and National Music Camp alums

Headshot of Deb Cohen

Deborah Cohen

National Music Camp alum 

Headshot of Ken Dake Jr.

Ken Dake, Jr. 

Camp and Academy alum

Headshot of Jess-Dalton Hayden

Jess Dalton-Hayden

Interlochen Arts Academy alum

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"Her whole experience here was good for me to see just how well she was being educated, not just as an artist, but as a human being. And, as a parent,  that's really all that you really want, right? It's wonderful that my daughter's talented, but it's more important to me that she take her talent and go out and do good in the world."

- Lisa Kearns (Camp and Academy parent and Interlochen Trustee)

Headshot of Dawn Dreisbach

Dawn Dreisbach

Interlochen Arts Academy alum

Headshot of John Dudd

John Dudd

Interlochen Arts Academy, Camp, and University Division alum

Headshot of Rusty Edwards

Rusty Edwards

Camp and Academy alum

Headshot of Justin Ekstrom

Justin Ekstrom

Interlochen Arts Camp alum, former Camp staff

Headshot of Tom Frey

Tom Frey

National Music Camp alum

Headshot of Chris González

Chris González

Camp and Academy alum and former employee

Headshopts of Susan Snyder Higgins and Carol Koski

Susan Synder Higgins and Carol Koski

National Music Camp alums and life-long friends

Headshot of Richard Kade

Richard Kade

National Music Camp alum

Headshot of Lisa Kearns

Lisa Kearns

Camp and Academy parent and Interlochen Trustee

Headshot of Allie Kessel

Allie Kessel 

Camp and Academy alum, former Camp staff and faculty

Pat Kessel (center) with daughters Jody (left) and Allie (right)

Pat Kessel

Vice President of Finance and Operations, Camp and Academy parent

Headshot of Brenna Lantz-Lewis

Brenna Lantz-Lewis

Camp and Academy alum

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"I just think the memories are special. And until you've experienced Interlochen, at least for one summer, you might not understand the magic of the place."

- Mark Mayfield (IAC/NMC 65, IAA 66-69)

Headshot of Mark Mayfield

Mark Mayfield

Camp and Academy alum, Camp parent, volunteer, and donor

Practice cabins at Interlochen Arts Camp

Anitra Haapa Mercer

National Music Camp alum

Headshot of Phillip Monteith

Phillip Monteith

National Music Camp alum

Headshot of Sara Ritchie Morgan in 1983

Sara Ritchie Morgan

National Music Camp alum

Headshot of Melissa Niño

Melissa Niño

Interlochen Arts Camp alum

Headshot of Claudia Polley

Claudia Polley

Interlochen Arts Academy alum

Headshot of Carolyn Purcell

Carolyn Purcell

Interlochen Arts Academy alum and current employee

Headshot of Heidi Rose Robbins

Heidi Rose Robbins

National Music Camp alum and former Camp faculty

Headshot of Doug Shively

Doug Shively

Carpentry Foreman and longtime employee 

Peter Sparling stands smiling with hands outstretched in the Dance Center.

Peter Sparling

Camp and Academy alum

Headshot of Ingrid Temple

Ingrid Temple

Natiponal Music Camp alum 

Headshot of Beth Stoner Wiegand

Beth Stoner Wiegand

National Music Camp alum and former employee

 

Share Your Story 

We want to hear from you! Share memories of your Interlochen experience and the lasting impact of your time between the lakes. You can schedule an in-person interview while on campus or via Zoom from wherever you are. Don't miss this opportunity to be a lasting part of Interlochen history.

Schedule Now

Practice cabins at Interlochen Arts Camp