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Motifs: November 2024
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Martha Smith (UNIV 56, IAC St 56) was a University of Michigan graduate student in the summer of 1956, when she was able to take elective hours at Interlochen due to the Interlochen Arts Camp-University of Michigan connection. Smith was also hired for Camp jobs—which gave a then-financially poor new music teacher room and board for eight weeks, plus those credit hours. Among other things, Smith worked in women’s uniforms and sat the phone at the faculty hideout below Kresge. She had listened to Interlochen concerts via WJR-Detroit since she was a child, so it was a thrill to be on campus. Since moving to Central Michigan University, she has returned to Interlochen’s campus for shows and concerts three-plus times per summer for 68 years. Anyone else reading who was at Interlochen in 1956?
Stephanie Sheppard (IAA 62-65) recently unveiled a new photo mural, selected by the New York State Thruway Authority for display in the Iroquois Service Area near her hometown of Little Falls, New York. The stunning image of the South William Street Bridge in Little Falls, taken in 2019, is Sheppard’s third public installation, following a multi-billboard installation in Los Angeles with Project Nightlight and a ten-photo series for the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Cultural Affairs exhibited in the Southwest Airlines terminal at LAX.
Ken Giles (IAC/NMC 63-65, IAA 63-67) has taught violin and viola at the DC Youth Orchestra Program for more than 10 years, including all types of music: classics, fiddle tunes, and civil rights songs. He teaches music history. His students play “We Shall Overcome” and understand the importance of the civil rights movement.
Arega Ali (IAC/NMC 66, IAA 66-67, IAC St 67, 73, 76) has retired after 28 years of teaching music in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Anne Wharton (IAA 74-75) recently retired from a career in engineering, working in aerospace and mobile phone infrastructure as a communications engineer. During the latter part of her career she worked on spacecraft, last working on communications for NASA’s Lunar Gateway on the Artemis program. She has always continued to play the flute and perform, and still plays in orchestras in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Monique Mead (IAC/NMC 83) is an Associate Teaching Professor, Director of Music Entrepreneurship, and Chair of Music Education, Entrepreneurship, and Musicianship Division at Carnegie Mellon University. She was interviewed recently in NEXTpittsburgh about expanding her repertoire by creating a unique sound bath experience to support the mental health of everyone from teens to seniors. The aural meditation experience prompts the listener to access deep levels of relaxation.
Ranardo-Domeico Grays (AS 88, IAC/NMC 89, IAA 89-90) choreographed For Love’s Sake, four heartfelt works that embrace the power of love. For Love’s Sake will be performed by VISIONS Contemporary Ballet—an ethnically diverse company celebrating contemporary dance rooted in the Black experience—at the Riverside Theater in New York City from Nov. 15-17, 2024. Grays founded VISIONS Contemporary Ballet and serves as its artistic director.
In May, Nicholas Phan (AS 93-94, IAC 95-96) released A Change Is Gonna Come, an album celebrating song as a form of protest with Palaver Strings, a Portland, Maine-based string ensemble dedicated to creating social change through music. In August, Deutsche Grammophon released Phan’s recording of Kaija Sariaaho's opera Adriana Mater with Esa-Pekka Salonen and the San Francisco Symphony.
Pianist and composer Aaron Diehl (IAC 99-00) was the special guest on the Oct. 15 episode of the Speaking Soundly podcast, which is hosted by Metropolitan Opera Principal Trumpet and fellow Arts Camp alumnus David Krauss (IAC/NMC 86-87). During the episode, Diehl shared his childhood musical influences, his musical journey, and how meeting Eldar Djangirov (IAC 98-01) at Interlochen Arts Camp was a turning point in his musicianship.
Kristen Martin (IAC 96, 98-99, IAA 00-01) and Sarah Killough (IAA 04-06) were recently announced as members of the new Broadway cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Martin, who plays the principal role of Delphini Diggory, and Killough, who portrays Ginny Potter, joined the Tony Award-winning play on Nov. 12.
Holly Weis (IAC 99-01) commissioned and is producing a new musical based on A Chorus Line composer Marvin Hamlisch’s autobiographical children’s book Marvin Makes Music. The work received an industry reading at Ripley Grier Studios in New York City on Sept. 26 under the direction of Scott Weinstein. Beyond her work with the musical, Weis continues to practice as an ophthalmologist in Chicago, Illinois.
RJ Magee (IAC 02-05, IAA 06-08) is currently the Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. His teaching load includes all levels of Acting and MT History, as well as the mentoring of undergraduate student directors. Next semester, he will be directing an adaptation of George Orwell's 1984, with performances taking place in February 2025.
Michael Thurber (IAA 03-05, IAC St 05-06) was an artist-in-residence at the University of Wyoming from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1. During his residency, Thurber presented a public keynote talk titled “Unlocking Creativity” and gave two performances with other acclaimed visiting artists.
Lily Honigberg (IAC 08-09, IAA 10-14) is a professional violinist based in Los Angeles. Honigberg has written string parts for artists such as Shaboozey, FINNEAS, Ty Dolla $ign, Bebe Rexha, and more, and is currently touring with Dasha. She also frequently collaborates with former Arts Academy classmate Lauren Jones (IAC 12, IAA 12-14, IAC Fac 18-19); Honigberg recently joined Jones’ trio, Trousdale, for a performance of their hit song “Point Your Finger.”
Juan Riveros (IAC 15, IAA 15-17) was recently appointed to Michigan State University’s Strings Area Faculty as Instructor of Harp. He also maintains a private studio of harp students and serves as the Diversity Coordinator for the American Harp Society.
Four Interlochen alumni were selected as semifinalists in the 28th annual Sphinx Competition. Cellist Miquel Fuentes (IAC 15, IAA 15-17) is a semifinalist in the Senior Division and will compete for the $50,000 Robert Frederick Smith Prize. Violinist Cyrano Jett Rosentrater (IAC 20), cellist Sonya Moomaw (IAC 22), and violinist Sydney Li-Jenkins (IAC 19) will compete for the $10,000 Junior Division prize. The finals concerts for both age divisions will take place in January 2025. Founded by fellow Interlochen alumnus Aaron Dworkin (IAA 86-88), the Sphinx Competition is a national competition for string musicians that transforms lives by celebrating artistic talent, providing career advancement opportunities, and addressing systemic obstacles within Black and Latino communities.
