Arts Academy singer-songwriters embark on ‘unforgettable’ Los Angeles tour
During the March 9-15 trip, six young musicians worked with students from local schools, presented public performances, and explored southern California.
Interlochen Arts Academy singer-songwriter students pose in front of the Hotel Cafe sign.
Interlochen Arts Academy singer-songwriter students Wesley Stoker and Audrey Mason summed up their recent trip to Los Angeles with the same word: unforgettable.
“I was with some of my best friends on a tour across the country,” Stoker said. “I learned so much about becoming an artist as well as working with other artists that have different interests, backgrounds, and lifestyles.”
Stoker and Mason were two of the six students selected to join Associate Director of Contemporary Music and Collaborative Projects and Director of Singer-Songwriter Courtney Kaiser-Sandler on the singer-songwriter program’s Los Angeles tour, which ran March 9-15. During the trip, students enjoyed rich opportunities to perform, explore the city, and work with young artists from local high schools and arts organizations.
The first full day of the tour began with a visit to Los Angeles’ famous Melrose Trading post, an artisan food and arts-based market. Afterwards, students traveled to Global Arts—an El Sistema-inspired after-school music program—to present a concert, question-and-answer session, and songwriting workshop.
Interlochen Arts Academy singer-songwriters pose with students from Global Arts.
“One of the things I enjoyed most was working with students from the Global Arts program,” Stoker said. “Their work creates a unique environment where students who don't have the resources for instruments or instruction are able to learn and develop their craft as musicians.”
Over the next two days, the Arts Academy students participated in a special songwriting summit that brought together young musicians from Interlochen and three Los Angeles-area schools: Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, and Orange County School of the Arts.
Each day of the summit was hosted at a different location—the first day at Los Angeles College of Music and the second at The Songwriting School of Los Angeles at Enterprise Recording Studios—and included opportunities for students to write collaboratively with peers from other schools. The event also featured a panel with singer-songwriter and Interlochen Arts Academy alumna Rett Madison (IAC 10-11, IAA 13-15, IAC Fac 24) and USC Thornton School of Music Popular Music Program faculty Haleigh Bowers.
On Thursday, the Arts Academy students began the day with a visit to Sierra Canyon School for a concert and Q&A session. The songwriting summit culminated that evening with a showcase at UCLA’s Schoenberg Music Building featuring performers from all four schools.
Beyond the songwriting summit and school performances, Arts Academy students also had the opportunity to perform a 90-minute set at the renowned Hotel Café and present a house concert in Santa Barbara.
“To be able to work with my peers who are not only brilliant musicians, but also some of the best friends I've ever made, was so soul-fulfilling and artistically powerful,” Mason said.
At the conclusion of the tour, students headed home for spring break—bringing lifelong memories, lasting inspiration, and a deep sense of gratitude with them.
“Going on tour was one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, moments in my life,” Stoker said. “I grew as a musician and collaborator, but most importantly I grew as a human being. I am so grateful to have been a part of that amazing journey.”
“I am so proud of how this experience improved not only my artistic skill, but also my integrity and determination towards working in a community-based setting,” Mason said. “I have never experienced so much support, hard work, and most importantly, so much fun. The connection and friendships that bonded through this experience truly made me re-establish why I love music and further confirmed that I am on the right path with my career.”
Want to be part of future singer-songwriter tours? Learn more about the program and start your application today.
