Applications are still open for Arts Camp and Arts Academy. Programs fill quickly—submit your app today!

Interlochen Arts Academy students and Arts Camp alumni among 2020 YoungArts honorees

More than 30 past and present Interlochen students received commendations in the prestigious competition.

2018 YoungArts logo

The National YoungArts Foundation has just announced its 2020 winners, and Interlochen is once again well represented among the commendees.

Sixteen current and former Interlochen Arts Academy students received awards, including Cadillac, Michigan native and theatre major Mia Kendell, who was selected as a finalist. Six Interlochen Arts Camp alumni join Kendell as finalists: An additional 14 received honorable mention and merit commendations.

Founded in 1981, YoungArts is an application-based award program whose mission is to identify and support emerging artists ages 15-18. Winners are selected by a panel of accomplished artists through a blind adjudication process, and receive valuable support resources, including financial awards, professional development, and educational experiences. It is the sole nominating agency for Presidential Scholars in the Arts. Since 1965, 46 Interlochen Arts Academy students have been selected as Presidential Scholars in the Arts—more than any other high school in the nation.

"We are thrilled to see artists in the Interlochen community from an array of artistic disciplines recognized by YoungArts," said Camille Colatosti, Provost of Interlochen Center for the Arts. "Our honorees capture the essence of Interlochen's educational experience - the ability to transform passion and potential into purpose."

Finalists are invited to participate in National YoungArts Week, which is an intensive week of master classes and workshops with global leaders in all arts disciplines. Finalists also have opportunities to showcase their art at the New World Center and YoungArts campus in Miami, Florida.

Please join us in congratulating all our winners!

Academy students:

Finalists:

Mia Kendell (IAA 17-, IAC 17)* | Theater

Honorable Mentions:

Christopher Correa (IAA 18-, IAC 18)* | Classical Music | Oboe
Mackenzie Holley (IAA 16-)* | Theater
Thomas Kaminsky (IAA 19-, IAC 17-19)* | Classical Music | Flute
Ipek Karataylioglu (IAA 16-18) | Classical Music | Flute
Jessica Kodsi (IAA 18-, IAC 18)* | Voice | Classical Mezzo Soprano
Breezy Love (IAA 18-)* | Voice |Singer-Songwriter
Carys Sutherland (IAA 18-, IAC 16-17)* | Classical Music | French Horn
Josef Viramontes (IAA 19-, IAC 19)* | Classical Music | Saxophone
Delia Zaleski (IAA 18-)* | Classical Music | Flute

Merit:

Kelly Avila (IAA 17-, IAC 16)* | Classical Music | Viola
Dean Brady (IAA 18-19, IAC 18) | Classical Music | Flute
Andrew Burhans (IAA 19-, IAC 19)* | Classical Music | French Horn
Ava DiSimone (IAA 16-, IAC 11-16)* | Voice | Jazz
Marlo Irani (IAA 19-)* | Film
Joseph St. Jules (IAA 18-, IAC 17-18)* | Jazz |Saxophone
Jeehoon Kim (IAA 18-19, IAC 18) | Classical Music | Oboe
Isabella Morcotte (IAA 17-19, IAC 16) | Voice |Singer-Songwriter
Erin Mullen (IAA 17-, IAC 12-14, 16-17)* | Voice | Classical Soprano
Grace Riedy (IAA 19-)* | Theater

* Denotes current Interlochen Arts Academy student

Camp alumni:

Finalists:

Anthony Hsu (IAC 15) | Film
Frances McKittrick (IAC 17-18) | Writing | Play or script
Mychal Nishimura (IAC 17) | Classical Music | Horn
Katherine Pieschala (IAC 16-17) | Classical Music | Music Composition
Spencer Rubin (IAC 16-17) | Classical Music | Oboe
Cole Turkel (IAC Ins 19) | Classical Music | Clarinet

Honorable mention

Roger Dahlin (IAC 16-18) | Classical Music | Trombone
Marco Jimenez (IAC 16-17) | Classical Music | Piano, Organ, Music Composition
Brian Lin (IAC Ins 19) | Classical Music | Saxophone
Michael McCann (IAC 16-17) | Classical Music |Flute
Frances McKittrick | Writing | Short Story

Merit:

Olivia Bennett (IAC 18) | Classical Music | Music Composition
Lucy Calaway (IAC 18) | Voice | Classical Soprano
Hyun-Tae Choi (IAC 16) | Classical Music | Piano
Asha Kline (IAC 19) | Classical Music | Clarinet
Heechan Ku (IAC 18) | Classical Music | Violoncello
Satchel Peterson (IAC 18) | Jazz | Guitar
Stephanie Petinaux (IAC 18) | Classical Music | Piano
Kioni Shropshire-Maina (IAC 18) | Poetry
Ananya Singh (IAC 17) | Film
Aidan Taylor (IAC 18) | Jazz | Double Bass