From Seoul to the spotlight: How Interlochen Online launched Gabriella Cupps’ musical theatre journey
When a ninth grader in Korea needed high-level musical theatre training, Interlochen Online provided the world-class coaching, confidence, and community she needed to chase her dreams all the way to Interlochen Arts Academy.
Gabriella Cupps has always known she belonged on a stage. Born in Beijing, Cupps spent half of her childhood in Shanghai and half in Seoul, Korea. A musical theatre class with Interlochen Online helped solidify her ambitions, give her access to high-level arts education from the other side of the globe, and prepare her for a successful audition to Interlochen Arts Academy. We caught up with Cupps during the first semester of her freshman year to chat about her experience with Interlochen Online and how the course accelerated her pursuit of her acting dreams.
When did you first start getting interested in musical theatre and why?
I've always loved performing. I remember a time when I was two years old and with my grandma. I was acting up and she said, ‘That girl belongs on a stage.’ Since I was about five years old, I've done theatre camps and lessons. I always knew I wanted to be a performer, singer, and actor when I grew up.
How did you hear about Interlochen Online?
I went to Arts Camp, and many of my teachers talked about Interlochen Online. I was in the process of preparing my auditions for the Academy, and I decided I would strengthen my skills by taking an online class—Musical Theatre: Singing Techniques with Peggy Trecker White.
Since you took the class from Korea, how did you navigate the difference in time zones?
The time difference is 14 hours, so it was a bit challenging when I needed to do a Zoom call. But the teachers are really understanding when it comes to time difference adaptations. Some of the calls I did were quite late and other times it was quite early in the morning for the teachers, but they're really good at adapting and I had a great time doing it.
What did you learn in your class?
I learned techniques, warmups, and theatrics to use when I'm singing. The warmups in particular really helped me prepare for my Interlochen Arts Academy auditions, so I was able to do them without injuring my voice.
What was your favorite part of the course?
My favorite part was the opportunity to take an intensive course from where I was in the world. I speak Chinese but not Korean, so it was hard to take really in-depth technical lessons where I was living. Interlochen Online allowed me to work with great teachers from far away.
What was it like connecting with your teacher and the other students?
I connected really well with my teacher, Peggy Trecker White. She was very understanding and a great teacher. I was lucky enough to be able to work with her over the summer at Interlochen Arts Camp, too. I also had an amazing experience with the other students. We were all in different time zones, but we all ended up at Arts Academy this year.
How did Interlochen Online help prepare you for Arts Academy?
The course helped me feel ready for my auditions, but it also prepared me in other ways. The course was just four weeks long and it was really intense, so it helped me prepare for the intensity of a full schedule at Interlochen Arts Academy this year.
What are some of your artistic goals for the future?
I set my goals pretty high, and I want to reexamine them as I get older, but mostly I want to become the best artist I can be. I want to improve my singing, acting, and dancing skills so that I'm able to succeed in the professional world. One day I hope to be on Broadway, and I want to work as hard as I possibly can to get there. That's my highest goal right now. I think I'll continue to discover more artistic pathways and more things I want to do.
Interlochen Online is a year-round source of expert online arts education, offering opportunities for children, teens, and adults to develop and nurture their artistic abilities. Whether through four-week courses, certificate programs, or private lessons, you can experience Interlochen’s world-renowned training in an online environment that fosters creativity, confidence, and collaboration.
