PAYING BACK AND INVESTING FORWARD IN VOICE STUDENTS
“I think that Interlochen is an oasis for young musicians who need an environment that nourishes and encourages them in the arts, and where they can have a shared experience with like-minded young adults. I want to encourage young singers who apply to Interlochen and give them help. Providing this endowed scholarship supports my belief that Interlochen is here forever.
Jan J. Leeds credits her time at Interlochen (IAC 67-71, IAA 67-71) with greatly impacting both her professional and personal life, from her career in opera and musical theatre to her husband Taylor Mitchell (AS 63-65, IAC/NMC 67, IAA 67-68, UNIV 69) whom she met at Camp in 1967. Jan and Taylor decided to establish the Jan J. Leeds and Taylor Mitchell Endowed Academy Scholarship in Voice to encourage the many talented voice musicians who lack the financial means to attend Interlochen. She hopes this will encourage other alumni to give back and also prompt them to consider where they would be in their lives if Interlochen had not been a part of them. Jan notes that even those alumni who did not pursue careers in the arts are returning to their Interlochen experience because of the many ways the arts continue to enrich their lives. The scholarship supports an enrolled voice student demonstrating financial need, with preference given to those studying classical performance. By investing in the next generation of voice musicians, Jan honors what Interlochen once meant to her, and what it still means to her today, as it continues to add meaning to her life.
Arts are critical for the survival of our society. Without the arts, there is no humanity.”
Jan J. Leeds (IAC/NMC 63-67; IAA 67-71)
Taylor Mitchell and Jan J. Leeds
WWW.INTERLOCHEN.ORG
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