Can you tell me a bit about how you first got interested in the arts and what art mediums do you work with?

I’d say my main art is just singing and (doing) musicals, but for Interlochen, I went there for creative writing. I’ve been into creative writing since I was very young—I used to have my mom write (my stories) for me because I didn’t know how to spell yet. Right now, I’m working on a few projects like a poetry anthology that I hope to get published someday. I’d say my main (genres) I worked on there was poetry and sci-fi fiction. 

When did you realize that your art form was something you wanted to pursue seriously? Did anyone encourage you or was it something you looked for on your own?

I wasn’t really good at many other things, so I took what I was good at and I kind of wanted to hone in on that. I don’t know, I use it to express myself because for theater you kind of follow like a set script and things, but when you’re writing you can just truly express how you feel and (write) what you want to write, so it gives me a lot of liberty and independence to do what I want to do. 

What made you choose Interlochen, and what was the application or audition process like for you?

I used to live in Michigan, and my mom grew up there, so she was very familiar with all the schools there, and she recommended me Interlochen. I actually signed up for it during COVID, and additionally, the application process is very easy. You have to submit a few transcripts of things that you’ve been working on and other things you’re interested in, and then you can also apply for scholarships there, and the reason I’ve been able to go for so many years is because I got a very generous scholarship. I will say it’s pretty expensive. 

What did a typical day look like at Interlochen? 

The entire camp, I would say, is primarily in the wilderness, but all of the buildings are very modern. On an average day kind of looks like you wake up in your cabin, which you share with about eight other students, you have breakfast and then your classes start at around 9:00 AM, and they are pretty much structured the way school classes are, except you take two classes a day with a lunch break in the middle, and then you have the entire afternoon to do what you want, which can either look like doing sports like volleyball, auditioning for things—like there’s a musical there, a summer musical—and there’s a lot of water opportunities as well: you can tube, kayak, paddle board, and there’s a lot of things to do. I’ve convinced my friend because they have so many majors there and my friend is really into fashion here, so she’s going with me this year. 

How do you think you changed your approach to art throughout your experience there and the people you met?

I’d say my editing process changed, because, before I went to Interlochen, I usually would not edit what I wrote because I was so convinced that it was perfect right off the bat, but it kind of introduced me to a new process. I used to think editing was just so tedious and useless, but once you get a solid group that you can trust to edit your papers, then it can be way better.

Has this experienced shaped your plans for college or a future career?

I think so. I want to major in international relations and minor in creative writing, but I also think that writing is such an important skill that I can use it for whatever I want to do in the future. So just honing that skill is really important to me, especially for what career I want to go into. I really want to publish some books. I think it’s definitely prepared me for that as well as the publishing process because Interlochen also has its own publishing company there. 

What advice would you give to young aspiring artists who are interested in joining a program like Interlochen?

I’d say that you can start anywhere, no matter what stage in the creative process you’re at.  It can feel intimidating to just—I know it can be hard—to get into a skill the older you grow, but it’s really important to just do what you’re passionate about. Do anything that you think that can help hone that skill. That’s really important.