ACCESS | YOUNG ARTIST DESTINATION
ACCESS | YOUNG ARTIST DESTINATION
A Family’s Love for Music and Interlochen Sparks Access
Endowing Access for Generations of Northern Michiganders
The heart of our Vision 2028 access initiative is to remove financial roadblocks for talented young artists to experience the transformative potential of an Interlochen education. As we expand opportunities for students across the country and around the world, it’s vital we do the same for students in our own backyard. Our northern Michigan scholarship initiative began when an anonymous donor made a very generous gift to establish an endowed Camp scholarship for students, in any arts area, from northwestern Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. This support inspired more: first, from longtime Interlochen institutional funders the Harry A. and Margaret D. Towsley Foundation, then soon thereafter Traverse City’s Jim and Diana Huckle through their family foundation, and most recently Traverse City entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Trustee Emeritus Casey Cowell. All gave to ensure this initiative began with firm financial support.
The love of Interlochen can span decades, with multiple generations having their own Interlochen experiences. This connection can also lead to a family legacy in giving. That’s certainly true for alumna Kristine Ciccati (IAC/NMC 61-62), whose family tree blooms with Interlochen alumni and supporters, including her daughter Alison (IAC/ NMC 87), brother Craig (IAC/NMC 62), sister Patricia (IAC/NMC 64, IAC/NMC St 68-70), and uncle David (IAC/NMC 49-54). Kristine’s parents, Paul and Lois Jordan, also established an endowed scholarship that has been supporting young artists at Interlochen for generations. To amplify the philanthropic legacy of her parents and honor the musical passions of her loved ones, Kristine recently established the Kristine J. Ciccati Endowed Academy Scholarship in Music. Kristine chose to make gifts annually so that the scholarship can be awarded as the endowment builds through her additional gifts in consecutive years. This ensures scholarships can be awarded right away to music students in cello, oboe, and trumpet while the endowment ensures future students will also receive support.
These four major gifts, combined, will enable more young artists from our region to have access to Interlochen excellence now and long into our second century.
“The Towsley Foundation is happy to team up with Interlochen Center for the Arts to offer Camp scholarships to deserving and talented young artists that live in northern Michigan. We believe this program will further strengthen Interlochen’s relationship with the area, and look forward to the life-changing positive effects of such a great summer camp experience.” — David Inglish, President, Harry A. and Margaret D. Towsley Foundation
“For a long time, I have had a deep love and appreciation for Interlochen and the type of education it has provided for young musicians since 1928. I am pleased that over the years my endowment will assist talented young musicians in achieving their musical aspirations through the wonderful opportunities that Interlochen provides. Interlochen is a part of my parents’ legacy, and I am happy to honor them by continuing my own support of this magical place.” — Kristine Ciccati (IAC/NMC 61-62)
“Supporting local students through the Northern Michigan Opportunity Scholarship is something we care deeply about. It’s been an honor to help provide
access to Interlochen’s world-class education for young artists from our own community.” — Jim and Diana Huckle Family Foundation
Extending a Helping Hand to Hawaiian Students Interlochen Trustee Amy Alston and husband Rob were inspired by their son Kieran’s (IAC 23, IAA 23-25) experience at Camp and Academy to establish an endowed scholarship. They named it the He Lima Kōkua Endowed Camp Scholarship since he lima kōkua is Hawaiian for “a helping hand.” Amy and Rob believe this is a fitting name for a scholarship rooted in “humility, generosity, and gratitude” which springs from their strong sense of kuleana (responsibility) for fellow Hawaiians.
Wilder & Fry Detroit Opportunity Scholarship Endowment
LA Opportunity Scholarship
Trustee Dean Schramm (IAC/NMC St 85) and wife Wendy Greuel are helping to broaden access to Interlochen for Los Angeles young artists. Dean and Wendy established the Los Angeles Scholarship Fund, which has brought 14 young artists in various artistic disciplines to Camp in the last few years. Eligibility is now being expanded
Trustee and board chair emeritus Hon. Kurtis T. Wilder (ret.) was drawn to Interlochen by the transformative experiences of his children: Klif, who studied double bass with Academy instructor Derek Weller, and Alycia (IAC 02-04, IAA 04-06), whose Camp and Academy years were a springboard for a
to Academy students. Among the fellow “Angelenos” to answer Dean and Wendy’s call to support the fund are: Amy Wakeland and Eric Garcetti, Gene and Tracy Sykes, Kelly Ann and Mark Holscher, Melanie Coto and Michael Stephenson, and Noah Mayer. “To a young artist, experiencing the magic of Interlochen is transformative. Interlochen Los Angeles Scholarships enable young people with the greatest needs and the fewest resources the opportunity to engage fully in their artistic journey. I’m very proud to be part of this generous group of Angelenos who support these impactful scholarships and invite more to join.” — Dean Schramm (IAC/NMC St 85)
Both Amy and Rob and the Alston ohana (extended and chosen family) have deep roots in Hawaii going back many generations. The Alston ohana have also supported this new scholarship, which was awarded for the first time to five students this summer. The Alstons’ “helping hand” was made to last.
flourishing musical career. Now, Kurt and wife Dr. Donna Fry have established the Kurtis T. Wilder and Donna K. Fry Detroit Opportunity Scholarship Endowment. The need-based scholarship, funded into perpetuity, expands access to Camp with a preference for Detroit’s young artists and/or those participating in a Detroit-based arts and culture organization. “What Interlochen provides is more than just a good education— its students receive transformative, often life-changing artistic and personal enrichment, a clarifying and empowering start to a young person’s life, regardless of what fields they ultimately pursue. We’ve seen Interlochen’s impact on our own children, and we’re committed to expanding access to these transformational experiences for all deserving students, especially here in our home state of Michigan. We’re excited that this scholarship endowment will bring generations of Detroiters to Camp.” — Hon. Kurtis T. Wilder and Dr. Donna K. Fry
“Our son, Kieran, IAA class of 2027, was first introduced to Interlochen at Camp, and it has catapulted him on an entirely new path in his life. We are eternally grateful for his experience at Camp, and we wanted to ensure that other children of Hawai’i would be able to enjoy the summer camp experience at Interlochen. This scholarship is our way of giving back to Hawai’i and the students who might have never even considered Interlochen because of the cost involved. We intend for this ‘helping hand’ to continue in perpetuity.” — Amy and Rob Alston
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2025 ANNUAL REPORT OF GIFTS
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