Honoring multigenerational connections through philanthropic support
The Stark family’s support of the people, places, and programs of Interlochen enables others to enjoy the same profound experiences that have shaped their lives.
The Stark family (L-R: Christie, Adrian, Nathan, and Carter) at Adrian’s Interlochen Arts Academy graduation.
It’s no secret that a summer or school year at Interlochen can have a remarkable impact on a young artist. But for many alumni, the “ripple effect” of Interlochen extends beyond their own lives to touch the hearts of their loved ones.
Such is the case for the Stark family. The Starks were first introduced to Interlochen through Nathan (IAC/NMC 89-90), who spent the summers of 1989 and 1990 studying horn at Interlochen Arts Camp.
“My experience at Camp—living with 12 other campers and creating with other artists—helped prepare skills that translated to working better with teams and others,” Nathan says.
Years later, Nathan’s sons Carter (IAC 14-17, IAA 18-20, IO 20, IAC St 23-24) and Adrian (IAC 15-19, IAA 19-21) followed in their father’s footsteps by attending both Camp and Academy. Today, the transformative education enjoyed by Nathan, Carter, and Adrian has inspired the entire Stark family—including Nathan’s father, Gene, and Nathan’s wife, Christie—to give back to Interlochen in myriad ways.
“Both Camp and Academy provided unique and profound experiences for us as a family,” Nathan says. “It made sense to want others to share in the same experience.”
Deepening the connection with Interlochen
Carter and Adrian both began their Interlochen journeys at Interlochen Arts Camp. Carter spent three summers as an oboist in the Intermediate Orchestra and Wind Symphony program before shifting his focus to classical guitar during his two years at the Academy. He graduated from Eastman School of Music in 2024 with a degree in guitar performance.
“For Carter, the network he developed during his Interlochen days continues—as roommates, by playing music together, and by attending events,” Nathan says. “He has also gone back to Interlochen as a teaching assistant.”
Adrian explored theatre and vocal arts at Camp and spent his junior and senior years of high school studying music composition at the Academy. This spring, he graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with a degree in composition.
“Adrian took the lessons from the collaborative environment of the composition program at Interlochen with him to Glasgow, where he put together multiple performing groups, both at school and in clubs,” Nathan says.
Adrian (left) and Carter (center) Stark with their international guest during the 2020 holiday season.
Supporting people, places, and programs
Shortly after Carter and Adrian’s first summers at Camp, Nathan and Christie made their first gift to Interlochen, establishing a named annual Camp scholarship fund for students from Colorado Springs. They also created the Stark Family Camp Scholarship Endowment, which funds a need- or merit-based scholarship that can be awarded to Camp students from any geographic region.
“One of the most rewarding things about supporting an endowed Camp scholarship is receiving the letters from the students about their experiences and growth as musicians and artists,” Nathan says.
The Starks have also supported critical capital projects—including Dow House—and provided touring support for the Classical Guitar program.
Recently, Nathan’s father Gene made an additional commitment to Interlochen. After discussions with Carter and Adrian, Gene established the Stark Family Academy Scholarship Endowment, which is focused on helping international students attend Interlochen Arts Academy. The gift was inspired by the new perspective the family gained during the 2020-21 Academy year.
“The COVID lockdown year was a difficult year for everyone at the Academy, but we had the opportunity to host an international student over the holidays and summer because they could not go home,” Nathan says. “We appreciated the talent and shared experience that international students bring to Interlochen.”
Through their philanthropy, the Stark family is helping Interlochen move closer to the goal of meeting the full demonstrated financial need of every admitted Camp and Academy student. The Starks’ gifts support all three components of this goal: need-based scholarships, merit-based scholarships, and international student support. Their newly established Academy scholarship addresses one of the institution’s most pressing needs—Academy scholarships—while ensuring that diverse voices from around the globe will continue to be heard at Interlochen for decades to come.
Nathan encourages other Interlochen supporters to consider directing their philanthropy to endowed scholarships—an option that enables gifts to have both an immediate and lasting impact on the young artists of Interlochen.
“Put together a realistic plan to start a scholarship fund or endowment,” he says. “You can then grow that over many years and continue to help students.”
