Your Best Work is Still Ahead: Why You Should Come Back to Interlochen Arts Camp
Two returning students share their top 5 reasons for coming back every year.
Chase Barrett (second from right) smiles with some friends at Interlochen Arts Camp.
If you’ve been to Interlochen Arts Camp, you already know it’s an incredible place to hone your creative abilities, learn from world-class instructors, and make friends with other young artists from around the world. From diving into the crystal-clear water of Green Lake to experiencing the excitement of performing at Kresge Auditorium, a summer at Interlochen leaves you with amazing memories and a lasting impact. What you might not realize, however, is just how much more powerful that impact becomes over time. Many Arts Camp students come back year after year because they want to get the fullest possible experience of Interlochen. We caught up with two returning students who shared what brings them back to Interlochen every summer and why you should definitely consider returning this year.
You build skills over time.
Each year at Interlochen Arts Camp builds on the next. Whether you're developing as a dancer—from early explorations to learning partnering techniques—or growing as an actor by tackling challenging monologues and mastering advanced skills, the knowledge you gain at Interlochen grows with you.
Jacob Stevenson is an eighth grader from Michigan who has come to Interlochen Arts Camp for three years, starting with voice and then transitioning to studying horn. In the future, he plans to study music at the college level and continue pursuing his gifts. When asked why he comes back to Interlochen, Jacob says he likes developing his skills over time—and he’s already seen incredible results.
“When I first started at Interlochen on the French horn, I probably could play at a good sixth grade level,” he says. “Now, because of Interlochen, I play at the level of some college freshmen. It's like being thrown in the water to learn how to swim: the best way to learn is by doing it. My teachers are super immersive and I’ve grown so much over the past three summers.”
Chase Barrett, from Illinois, is a senior in high school who has studied euphonium at Interlochen every year for the past four years. He is already signed up for next summer, and appreciates how the music becomes more challenging with every year he returns.
“As someone who wants to be a professional musician, I've really appreciated the push every year of having things get harder and harder. Chamber music, ensemble music, and all the pieces I’m assigned to play for my private lessons are always pushing me to get to that next level as a musician.”
You build connections with your teachers.
Over multiple summers spent at Interlochen, you’ll find that your connection with your instructors grows and deepens. No matter your arts discipline, it’s important to have mentors who know your strengths and weaknesses and can push you towards success. Plus, you’ll become more familiar with their individual teaching styles.
“Coming back to a teacher I’ve worked with before is almost like coming to see a friend I only see once a year,” says Jacob. “It's a great experience.”
As a senior who is planning to attend college to study music, Chase has even more reasons for appreciating deeper connections with his instructors.
“I've connected really well with the faculty at Camp,” he says. “A lot of them are college professors that have actually drawn me to their schools. Part of the reason that I'm auditioning for their universities is because I want to continue working with them in the future.”
You build long-term friendships.
In a place like Interlochen, surrounded by young artists, you’re bound to meet students who are kind, creative, likeminded, and passionate about their artistry. Sometimes, these connections deepen into lifelong friendships—and it’s even more likely to happen if you make memories together every summer.
Jacob comments: “There are multiple people I come back and see every year. We're around the same age, so we tend to be in the same cabin, walk to class together, and continue to build those relationships.”
“With the social media we have access to, it's easy to stay in touch with people and anticipate being able to work with them in person,” says Chase. “There are multiple people I look forward to seeing every year and it's exciting to see them again. Interlochen is a hub where I get to work with people from around the world and enjoy their art.”
You already know the ropes.
Remember that first-day-of-camp feeling, when you’re trying to figure out what’s going on and where everything is? It can take some time to settle into the experience, and trying to attend a different camp every year might leave you feeling frazzled. Sticking with what you already know and love allows you to focus your energy on what really matters—your art.
“When you come back, you know people from last year, the teachers, and the campus really well, so it takes some of that stress away,” says Jacob. “As a first-year student, you might not know where everything is, but later you’ll be able to help yourself a lot more easily and help others too. It gets better every year.”
“Coming back to Interlochen felt like I never left,” says Chase. “I knew where everything was, how to find my classes, and so on. All those things were very easy for me once I started coming here for multiple years.”
You get the most from the Interlochen experience.
From heightened artistic challenges to deeper connections with peers and faculty, Interlochen is best if you do it for multiple years. There’s so much to explore and so many programs offered, so why not get the most out of your experience? Jacob and Chase offered these closing thoughts.
“I definitely think I found myself at Interlochen,” Jacob reflects. “ I wish I could stay there the whole year, because it's a like paradise of the arts. I definitely want to go back every camp season.”
“I just really appreciate the community,” Chase adds. “That's why I keep coming back. It's not just about the actual experience and the enrichment; it's about the people.”
Applications are now being accepted for Arts Camp 2026. Learn more or apply today.
