Students Attend Interlochen Summer Programs
Posted 10/24/2011 / Labels: Happenings
Students expand their skills during summer programs at Interlochen Center for the Arts
Interlochen Center for the Arts is located in scenic northern Michigan. It is a place where young artists from around the world gather to learn, create and perform alongside leading artists and instructors.Thanks to the generousity of local resident Bruce Loomis of Jefferson, four talented Arts Center students had an opportunity this summer to study at Interlochen. Julia Hines, Tim Kolman, Samantha Nousak and Emmy Stowell all received scholarships to attend an Interlochen summer program.
Tim Kolman has been taking dance classes at the Ashtabula Arts Center for more than 8 years. Loomis first saw Tim perform in the Spring Dance show a couple of years ago and was impressed with his skill. The following week, Mr. Loomis called Executive Director Beth Koski and offered to financially assist Tim with tuition to Interlochen’s presitgious summer program. Mr. Loomis first learned of Interlochen during his college days and felt it was a great opportunity for students to work with talented instructors to enhance and improve their artistic abilities. Mr. Loomis teamed up with the Arts Center to provide scholarship dollars for students to attend Interlochen. 2011 was the second summer that Arts Center students attended. Mr. Loomis provided a significant portion of the tuition for all of the students. Tim attended the summer Dance program in 2010 and was excited to attend a three week program this past summer.
Tim Kolman has been taking dance classes at the Ashtabula Arts Center for more than 8 years. Loomis first saw Tim perform in the Spring Dance show a couple of years ago and was impressed with his skill. The following week, Mr. Loomis called Executive Director Beth Koski and offered to financially assist Tim with tuition to Interlochen’s presitgious summer program. Mr. Loomis first learned of Interlochen during his college days and felt it was a great opportunity for students to work with talented instructors to enhance and improve their artistic abilities. Mr. Loomis teamed up with the Arts Center to provide scholarship dollars for students to attend Interlochen. 2011 was the second summer that Arts Center students attended. Mr. Loomis provided a significant portion of the tuition for all of the students. Tim attended the summer Dance program in 2010 and was excited to attend a three week program this past summer.
“The program made me feel more confident with my dancing,” Tim says. “I learned better technique and better line as well as what it will be like to dance at the college level.” This was also a second summer of the Interlochen program for 15 year-old Samantha Nousak. Samantha began playing the flute 6 years ago when her elementary school band teacher recognized her ability and suggested she take individual instruction not available in public schools. Samantha takes flute lessons at the Arts Center with Nan Adams and also plays piccolo, percussion, clarinet, trombone, trumpet and piano.
Emmy Stowell is a senior at Lakeside High School and has participated in Arts Center music lessons and theater productions from an early age. Emmy has been seen on stage in High School Musical, Brigadoon, Hairspray and many others. Emmy was excited to take part in Interlochen’s six week Operetta program which involved private voice lessons, Operetta workshops, singer skills classes and daily rehearsals.
Julia Hines has been a dance student at the Arts Center for a number of years. She attended a one-week program in Musical Theater at Interlochen which focused on dance, acting and singing.
“Working with the instructors and coaches really opened my eyes to the audition and casting director’s aspect of the business. I learned what it is that directors and college professors want to see and expect from perspective students,” says Julia. “I also learned a lot about independence, but most important, that a performer must be able to do something other than just perform. Dimensions and real life experiences must be injected into your acting, singing and dancing to give it depth.”
Interlochen programs are available for students in grades 3 - 12. For younger students, there are programs that do not require auditions. For intermediate and high school students, the programs are more challenging and competitive. The summer program draws approximately 2500 students each year. Programs are offered in Creative Writing, Dance, General Arts, Motion Picture Arts, Music, Theater Arts and Visual Arts. While expensive, the Interlochen program is not necessarily out of sight for families with talented children. Interlochen offers scholarships and the Arts Center and Mr. Loomis are still working to give scholarships to talented Arts Center students. For information on how to apply to the summer programs, contact the Ashtabula Arts Center department heads Shelagh Dubsky, Kim Godfrey or Meeghan Humphrey, or Executive Director Beth Koski.
