Amplifying expertise: Interlochen Online partners with Michigan Virtual to bring arts enrichment courses to students across the state
The new partnership launched in June with programs in video production, songwriting, comedy acting, and digital animation.
A partnership between two of Michigan’s leading virtual education organizations—Michigan Virtual and Interlochen Online—offers much to be excited about. But for Michigan Virtual Director of School Partnerships Thomas Soria, the excitement isn’t just professional. It’s personal, too.
“My son is an advanced math student, and he’s taking geometry with Michigan Virtual this year,” Soria said. “My daughter—who’s 11 years old and performing in The Little Mermaid—asked, ‘What is there for me, Dad?’ As I was looking at our catalog, I felt like there was an opportunity.”
Not long after that conversation, Soria learned that Michigan Virtual would be partnering with Interlochen Online to create arts enrichment courses for students in middle and high school.
“I was so excited because I know there’s a segment of students throughout the state that have passions around topics like songwriting, acting, and digital animation,” Soria said.
The collaboration launched in June with four enrichment courses: Video Basics, Songwriting 101, Comedy Basics for Acting, and Getting Started with Digital Animation. Each course includes three hours of instructional content created by one of Interlochen Online’s acclaimed instructors and is affordably priced at just $15. Interested students can enroll now via Michigan Virtual’s website.
“These courses give students practical ways of getting started in the arts and provide a great launching pad to explore more deeply with Interlochen Online's four-week courses and certificate programs that give students the chance to work directly with our faculty,” said Interlochen Online Executive Director Carin Nuernberg.
The new partnership continues a history of collaboration between the two organizations that has spanned nearly two decades.
“Originally, we served students who were coming to Camp, but also needed to take a particular class over the summer,” Soria said. “A couple of years ago, we formalized a partnership with Interlochen to provide additional resources to help Academy students.”
Academy students frequently take advantage of Michigan Virtual’s summer or semester-long programs. By taking classes online, Academy students can reduce the number of academic classes they need to take during the school year—allowing them to engage more deeply in their artistic program—or explore courses and subject areas not offered at the Academy.
Recently, Interlochen invited members of the Michigan Virtual team to come to campus and lead a workshop on artificial intelligence (AI).
“The workshop was really well received, and it struck me that there was an opportunity for our organizations to collaborate,” Nuernberg said. “I always look for partners that align well from the perspective of mission and innovation, and I think Michigan Virtual is doing really great work.”
Nuernberg and Interlochen Provost Camille Colatosti reached out to Michigan Virtual about the possibility of working together.
“What Carin had approached us with was an opportunity for students to get exposure around some of the things that they’re really passionate about,” said Michigan Virtual Research and Innovation Manager Melissa Graeser. “Our enrichment program fit that model really well: We’re trying to find courses that are specific to kids’ interests and really nurture their creativity. When Carin suggested these four courses, we were like, ‘Yes, this is perfect.’”
For both institutions, the partnership is an opportunity to share their expertise and reach new populations of students.
“What I like about Michigan Virtual is that they do a lot of work with school districts throughout the state, so it’s a chance for Interlochen to provide high quality arts instruction in a short-form, accessible format,” Nuernberg said. “The public school system oftentimes doesn’t have the budget to provide an in-depth and broad-based arts curriculum, and I think we can be that provider. We can be a wonderful resource for teachers.”
“Interlochen has a really great reputation: It’s an expert in the field of arts education, and that’s what we look for as far as partnerships are concerned,” Graeser said. “We want kids to be excited about what they’re learning. We know that not all schools have the opportunities for students to find things that really excite them. Interlochen has a lot of that expertise.”
“On the flip side, Michigan Virtual has Michigan state-certified teachers for every course that we offer,” Graeser continues. “We have hundreds of courses for credit that reach all sorts of different kids. Regardless of whether you’re an Interlochen student or a Michigan Virtual student, there’s something that you can gain from a partnership with both institutions together.”
While the partnership is just beginning, both organizations see potential for growth in the future.
“I think this partnership will be one that is long-standing and multifaceted,” Nuernberg said. “We’re very interested in partnering with like-minded innovators in the space in terms of how people learn best and what technology we can take advantage of to make that happen.”
“My hope is that these four programs are just the beginning of what could be more in the future,” Soria said. “Hopefully, utilizing our reach throughout the state will amplify what Interlochen does.”
