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Taking Interlochen Dance to New Heights

Recent donor support spurs momentum for Dance Division

An architect's rendering of the Dance Center

 

The architect's rendering of one of the Dance Building's new studios.

Prince Siegfried (Austin Dabney) and Odette (Iliana Mendyk)

Prince Siegfried (Austin Dabney) and Odette (Iliana Mendyk)

As Interlochen Arts Academy dancers take the stage for Swan Lake, supporters behind the scenes are helping Interlochen dancers shine now and into the future.

With Interlochen’s first full-length presentation of Swan Lake, supporters have stepped up to help with production and touring costs. Donors have also made gifts through the Interlochen Annual Fund and to support new costumes from the Boston Ballet and a new set. Both the costumes and set contributed to a memorable production. The Arts Academy Dance Company will also perform Swan Lake at the Cheboygan Opera House, Bay Harbor’s Great Lakes Center for the Arts, and the Midland Center for the Arts.

Donor support is also accelerating the dance building renovation and expansion. At the October board meeting, Chair Glynn Williams and Trustees Nancy Hoagland and Bill Nelson issued a $750,000 matching challenge. If the majority is raised by March 1, 2019, the Board intends to approve breaking ground in August 2019 at its March meeting.

Once this challenge is met, Interlochen will have raised $6 million of the estimated $6.5 million in total costs.

For seven decades, dancers have trained in an historic facility on the shores of Green Lake. The proposed renovated and expanded building will be ADA accessible and include new studios with higher ceilings, updated technology, fitness equipment, and other essential upgrades. The dance building is the last arts-related facility to be brought to a modern standard.

Interlochen Trustee Susan Kettering has supported the dance building and also scholarships through the Interlochen Annual Fund. "I have a deep passion for dance and am thrilled these young artists are so close to having an updated facility, set on beautiful Green Lake,” Kettering said. “Dancers will be able to enjoy the location so many alumni have loved. And with Joseph Morrissey’s new programming, this renovated building will further enhance the educational experience for these emerging dancers.”

To ensure young dancers have the opportunity to experience this new facility and programming, supporters are also creating new scholarships. These scholarships include a new annual Camp scholarship, funded by Judith Meyer (IAC 59, 61, UNIV 62) in memory of her mother, June Pinsof, and an endowed Academy Dance scholarship established to honor the legacy of longtime employee Barb Sandys.

Interlochen Director of Dance, Joseph Morrissey, is grateful for this outpouring of support. “These gifts help Interlochen Dance continue to grow and evolve to meet today’s high training standards,” Morrissey said. “I am excited by what this new facility can bring to our dancers and faculty. And I am thankful for such meaningful support toward creating Academy’s first full-length adaptation of Swan Lake and one that can be shared with audiences across northern Michigan.”

In the meantime, Interlochen dancers continue to polish this classic tale of good and evil. To view a recent performance of Swan Lake, please visit Archived Webcasts.

If you have any questions about supporting Interlochen Dance, including the dance building renovation and expansion, please contact Interlochen Philanthropy at philanthropy@interlochen.org or 231.276.7623.