Interlochen Online: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
All Interlochen Online courses are $495.
All Interlochen Online private lessons are $100/lesson.
Unfortunately, there are no scholarships available for Interlochen Online courses or private lessons.
To enroll in an Interlochen Online course or private lessons, visit our Education Community, or click “Register Now” on the Interlochen Online website. With private lessons, you may sign up for as many lessons as you like for a total of up to 52 weeks.
As part of the course, you can participate in an optional weekly hour-long video class meeting, where you can learn from the instructor and interact with fellow students in real-time. At the beginning of the course, you will complete a survey indicating your preferred times for the class meeting. The instructor will make every effort to identify a meeting time that works for everyone. The instructor will also post recordings of the meetings and you can view them when it is convenient.
You will interact regularly with your instructor throughout the course. Within the learning environment, you can send messages and questions to your instructor and peers, and you will also receive and provide feedback in this same way.
Read more about the Interlochen Online Learning Experience.
Interlochen Online courses are designed to be flexible, with weekly learning units that combine video segments and guided instruction that you can complete on your own schedule during the week. You can meet with your instructor and fellow students in a weekly one-hour class meeting, and you will have regular interaction with them throughout the week, including personalized feedback from your instructor on your assigned work. The goal is that you walk away not only with practical skills and friendships but that you are inspired and motivated to pursue your art and realize your potential.
Read more about the Interlochen Online Learning Experience.
No, course sections are designed for their respective age groups, either for adults (students 18 and older) or young people (students under 18).
You can expect to spend about five hours per week on a course. Course weeks begin on Monday (except when Monday is a holiday) and end on Sunday. You can pace out your week in whatever way works best for you, but we recommend spending a bit of time each day on the course, much like you would practice an instrument. Typically, each week’s creative project is due by Sunday at noon Eastern time.
Courses are marked complete/incomplete, but are not graded with a traditional letter-grade format. Instructors will provide each student with detailed, specific, and constructive feedback on their work. Each course successfully completed requires 20 hours of work over four weeks. You may request a transcript that reflects this information by contacting online@interlochen.org.
Interlochen Online courses require a computer (preferred) or mobile device with internet access. Some courses may have additional requirements, which can be found in the “What you need to participate” section on each course page on the website. Basic system requirements include the following:
- Screen Size
- Our learning platform is best viewed at a minimum screen size of 11+ inches. If you want to use a device with a smaller screen, we recommend using the mobile apps for Canvas to access your course (once in the app, select “Interlochen Online” as your school) and Zoom to participate in live class meetings.
- Operating Systems
- macOS 10.13 or newer (Interlochen recommends Apple products)
- Windows 10
- chromeOS
- Apple iOS or Android
- Computer Speed and Processor
- Use a Mac or PC 5 years old or newer if possible. While it is possible to use an iPad or mobile device, the experience will be better for you on a laptop or desktop.
- If using a laptop, it should have the following specifications:
- At least 4GB of RAM
- At least 2GHz processor
- Internet Speed
- Minimum of 1.5Mbps download and 800Kbps upload
We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible learning environment for all students in our online programs. We believe that all students should have equal access to our learning materials and activities, and that an inclusive learning environment benefits everyone.
Here are some of the accessibility features that we have incorporated into our online courses:
- Our course platform is compatible with screen readers and other assistive technologies.
- We use captioning for all videos.
- We use headings and other structural elements to help users navigate the course content more easily.
- We use color contrast in combination with other design elements to ensure that course content is easy to read and understand.
- We provide alternative text for images and graphics.
- We use plain language and avoid jargon or overly technical language wherever possible.
If you would like to request an accommodation for one of our courses, or would like to share any concerns or suggestions regarding accessibility, please contact online@interlochen.org so that we may assist you.
Yes! Once you complete your private lesson registration, you will be given a link to a form to make your request to study with a specific instructor. While we cannot guarantee that the instructor will have compatible availability, we will do our best to honor your request. Current Interlochen Online instructors can be found here. If you do not have a specific instructor in mind, you will be assigned a private lesson instructor by the Interlochen Online team. All of our instructors are excellent and well-regarded, teaching with Interlochen Arts Academy, Interlochen Arts Camp, and/or institutions of higher education.
Once you have registered, Interlochen Online courses are not refundable, though in some cases we may be able to apply payment to another Interlochen program. Please see the Interlochen Online Enrollment Agreement for further information.
For general information, join our mailing list. For all course-specific questions or for further information, email online@interlochen.org or call 231.276.5990.