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.

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 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 teacher and interact with your classmates in real-time. At the beginning of the course, you will complete a survey indicating your preferred times for the class meeting. The teacher will make every best effort to identify a meeting time that works for everyone. The teacher will also post recordings of the meetings and you can view them when it is convenient. 

You will interact regularly with your teacher throughout the course. Within the learning environment, you can send messages and questions to your teacher 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 comprise four key activities to nurture your growth as an artist: learn, connect, practice, and create. The 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. Throughout the four weeks, you interact regularly with your teacher and fellow classmates. 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.

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. Teachers 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

Students will be assigned a private lesson instructor. Due to the varying availability and capacity of each instructor, students are unable to request a particular instructor. All of our instructors are excellent and well-regarded, teaching with Interlochen Arts Academy, Interlochen Arts Camp, and/or institutions of higher education.

Once 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.