Interlochen Arts Academy singer-songwriter students join alum and acclaimed artist Claud on tour
Five Arts Academy singer-songwriter students shared the stage with Claud on two tour stops.
Interlochen Arts Academy singer-songwriter students with Claud.
Interlochen Arts Academy singer-songwriter students on stage at Lincoln Hall in Chicago.
Arts Academy singer-songwriter students outside Chicago’s Lincoln Hall before their show.
Five Interlochen Arts Academy singer-songwriter students joined alum and acclaimed artist Claud (IAA 16-17) on their recent tour.
Named for their popular debut album “Super Monster,” Claud’s far-reaching tour spans North America and Europe over the course of four months. The tour kicked off Friday, Feb. 25, in Ferndale, Michigan, and continued to Chicago’s legendary Lincoln Hall on Saturday, Feb. 26. Arts Academy students Levi Ebnit, Sam Hims, Maddie Ruhoy, Sofia Schuster, and Carly Troyer shared the stage with Claud in Ferndale and Chicago.
“It was amazing meeting Claud and being behind the scenes at Lincoln Hall,” Ruhoy said. “The sound engineers were amazing and great to work with, and Claud was exceptionally welcoming! I had a lot of fun performing, and it is an experience I will remember forever.”
Looking back, Ruhoy especially values learning about how to interact with performers from other bands. “It’s very important to create good relationships with people you may work with later in life. As I continue on to my career, I’ll always keep this in mind.”
“I am so proud of Claud and their success,” said Interlochen Chair of Contemporary Music Courtney Kaiser-Sandler. “This kind of giving back from our alumni is incredibly meaningful. The opportunity to see Claud perform and gain a personal connection to a successful songwriting alum means everything in the world to our developing young artists.”
At Interlochen, Claud recalls Kaiser-Sandler, their songwriting instructor, telling them about festivals and performance opportunities in Traverse City to get students involved locally. “When I booked my first headline tour, Courtney saw that I was playing just a few hours away from Interlochen and immediately called me,” Claud said. “Her passion to get her current students on stage reminded me of the way Courtney would break an arm and leg for us. I learned at Interlochen how important it is to embrace, nourish, and uplift whatever is local to you.”
Saddest Factory, Phoebe Bridgers’ record label, released the 22-year-old artist’s debut album a year ago. Among many other high-profile performances, Claud recently joined the iconic indie-pop band the Bleachers during their set on “Saturday Night Live.”
