Born for the stage: A freshman dancer finds his rhythm at Interlochen
Patrick Michaels has always loved to dance—and now, he studies at one of the world’s premier schools for young dancers. From new friendships to college-prep academics, here are some of his favorite experiences from freshman year.
Patrick Michaels was born ready for the stage. As a young boy, he would dance in the living room of his home, using household objects as props, while his family cheered him on.
“I would grab my Batman slippers and pretend they were Michael Jackson’s fancy shoes,” he laughs. “I’d use a slotted spoon as a microphone.”
Learning to moonwalk soon grew into something more serious when his parents suggested dance lessons. That decision would soon lead to an even bigger step—taking his place at Interlochen Arts Academy, where young dancers from around the globe come together to learn, grow, and perform. We caught up with Michaels as he shared the challenges and joys of his first year at Interlochen.
The best place to study ballet
From the very beginning of his time as a dancer, Michaels was drawn to the elegance and discipline of classical ballet.
“I really love classical ballet and have a deep connection to it,” he explains. “I like how the movements look.”
He knew he wanted to study the art form more deeply, and Arts Academy felt like the next right step. Michaels grew up going to Arts Camp and taking guest roles in Interlochen’s productions of The Nutcracker, so the 25,000-square-foot Dance Center on Green Lake already felt like home. But it wasn’t just about familiarity. He was determined to train at the highest level available to dancers his age.
“Interlochen has an amazing dance program,” he says. “When you go to Interlochen earlier, you get better training, because you get the full four years. You don’t want to jump in at the middle when you could start at the starting line.”
Getting settled at Interlochen
The transition into Academy life began with orientation, where Michaels quickly made friends and even signed up for the basketball club. The sense of community he found helped him ease into a busy schedule of college-preparatory academics and rehearsals. Thanks to the Academy’s block schedule, he was surprised by how manageable the workload felt.
“Because of the block schedule and the really long lunch I have, I don’t find it super hard to balance academics with dance,” he explains. “I can start with academics, eat lunch, chill, go to the studio a little early, warm up and stretch, and then just dance.”
Longer class periods and flexible Wednesdays give him the structure he needs to succeed in both school and dance. Michaels also notices a difference in the way his teachers approach learning. Coming from a private school, he was used to a traditional classroom environment. At Interlochen, he says, the faculty take more time to connect with each student.
“My teachers are really good at one-on-one instruction,” he says. “They don’t just say something to the whole class and then expect us all to understand it. They make time for questions. It’s the way I like to learn.”
In the studio, Michaels feels especially fortunate to study with Director of Dance Joseph Morrissey.
“He’s super funny and nice. He pushes us hard, but in a good way,” he reflects.
A campus community—and goals for the future
Life at Interlochen extends far beyond the dance studio. Weekly community meetings give Michaels a chance to explore other art forms and connect with students in different majors.
“There’s always a student performance and it’s really neat to see different instruments from the music majors,” he says. “Recently, there was a poetry performance that I really liked. It’s fun to hang out with people who aren’t dancers and see what they can do.”
Between classes, he often skateboards across campus.
“I really love being able to skate to classes,” he says. “It’s my favorite thing.”
Michaels is already thinking about his future as an Arts Academy dancer, and one role stands out in particular: the Spanish variation in The Nutcracker.
“That’s always been an amazing dance to look at,” he enthuses. “It’s so sharp.”
Michaels is a day student at Interlochen, so he appreciates the support he gets from his parents on challenging rehearsal days: “They’ll give me a snack to give me a little boost,” he says. “And they remind me to stretch more.”
As a freshman, Michaels feels confident he is exactly where he belongs. He’s supported by his teachers, inspired by his peers, and excited for the years ahead.
“I’ve always loved dancing and Interlochen,” he says. “Now, I get to do both every day.”
Learn more about freshman support at Interlochen.
