Local Young Artist Will Attend Renowned Interlochen Arts Camp

Abigail Bissonnette, age 17, of Lake has been accepted and will attend Interlochen Arts Camp, the nation’s premier multidisciplinary summer arts program for aspiring artists in grades 3 through 12. Bissonnette, the daughter of Paul and Sheila Bissonnette, will study musical theatre at Interlochen.

Abigail first auditioned and was accepted to Interlochen Arts Camp in March of 2020.  She attended the 2020 camp online due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  She auditioned again in 2021 and attended her first (in-person) musical theatre camp at Interlochen Arts Camp last summer. Abigail is a junior at Clare High School.

Artistic students ages 8-18 from around the world convene at Interlochen to expand their capacity in music, theatre, dance, creative writing, visual arts, and film. Through daily classes, enriching electives, and frequent performances, Interlochen students explore the full breadth of the arts, pursue creative breakthroughs, and forge lifelong cross-cultural friendships. Immersed in a multidisciplinary artistic environment, young creatives find reflection, rejuvenation, and inspiration on Interlochen’s pristine 1,200-acre wooded campus.

“We are excited to celebrate the start of the 94th season of Interlochen Arts Camp,” said Trey Devey, president of Interlochen Center for the Arts. “It is thrilling to witness the remarkable growth that takes place at Interlochen as students discover their potential and take their talent to the next level.”

With a global alumni base that includes creative leaders in the arts and many other fields, Interlochen Arts Camp has been at the forefront of arts education for nearly a century. Among distinguished Camp alumni are Norah Jones, Josh Groban, Rufus Wainwright, Jessye Norman, Loren Maazel, actor Anthony Rapp, cartoonist Cathy Guisewite, and many more. Approximately ten percent of the nation’s professional orchestra musicians have roots at Interlochen and the alumni community has been awarded nearly 100 Grammy Awards.

In addition to hundreds of performances, presentations, and readings by young artists, Interlochen brings leading artists to its northern Michigan campus. In recent years, guest artists have included Joshua Bell, Diana Ross, Wynton Marsalis, Yo-Yo Ma, Lady Antebellum, Harry Connick Jr., and many more.