In Pictures: Arts Academy Reunion Weekend 2026
Relive some of our favorite moments of the 2026 Reunion Weekend—from classes and casual gatherings to milestone celebrations and special events.
Four alumni pause for a photo while exploring Interlochen’s campus.
Every fall, millions of high school and college graduates return to their alma maters for class reunions and homecoming festivities. While all of these celebrations provide chances to catch up with old friends and revisit familiar landmarks, events at Interlochen offer an additional level of meaning—allowing alumni to come back to the place where their artistry was nurtured, be inspired by the creativity of both fellow alumni and current students, and envision the future of one of the world’s most vibrant artistic communities.
This October, more than 230 Interlochen Arts Academy alumni, former faculty/staff members, and their guests returned to campus for the 2026 Alumni Reunion Weekend. The Oct. 16-18 event featured abundant opportunities to create, connect, and share—from a jazz dance class led by faculty member and alumna Leslie Williams (IAC 90-92, IAA 92-96) to the ever-popular Alumni Coffeehouse. Other highlights of the weekend included an alumni visual arts exhibition; a sonic installation featuring chimes made by Garry Kvistad (IAC/NMC 63-64, IAA 64-67); a poetry reading by longtime creative writing instructor Mike Delp (IAA Fac 84-11); the dedication of the Sheryl Szady Gymnasium; a performance by the Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra; and so much more.
Below, we share some of our favorite moments from this incredible weekend.
Members of the classes of 1963-77 gather for a 50-plus milestone celebration in the Music Center.
Interlochen President Trey Devey discusses the present and future of Interlochen at the “Interlochen Today” session.
Associate Director of Music for Classical Performance and Interlochen Arts Academy alumnus Keith Aleo conducts the Interlochen Percussion Ensemble during the opening of the sonic installation “Sounding the Call.”
Arts Academy percussion students and faculty pose with the “Sounding the Call” installation.
Alumni participate in a jazz dance class led by Leslie Williams (IAC 90-92, IAA 92-96).
Four alumni pose for a photo before the dedication of the Sheryl M. Szady Gymnasium.
Former Arts Academy Instructor of Physical Education Dr. Sheryl Szady addresses the audience during the dedication of the Sheryl M. Szady Gymnasium. A tireless champion for women in athletics, Szady led efforts for women's sports to be recognized as fully-fledged varsity programs during her time as a student at University of Michigan. More recently, Szady campaigned for hundreds of University of Michigan alumnae to retroactively receive varsity jackets with the University’s iconic “block M.”
Szady (center)—joined by Director of Recreation and Wellness David Tanis (left) and Interlochen President Trey Devey (right)—cuts the ribbon during the dedication of the Sheryl M. Szady Gymnasium. Devey donned Szady’s varsity jacket during the ceremony.
“It is for her spirited commitment to excellence that we celebrate Sheryl tonight and dedicate this gymnasium in her honor, so that it can become even more of a place where the goals of a holistic Interlochen education can be realized for each of our young artists: mind, body, and soul.” – Trey Devey, President, Interlochen Center for the Arts
A trio of alumni perform during the 2026 Alumni Coffeehouse.
An Academy alumna performs during the Alumni Coffeehouse.
