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Liberal Arts

Students discuss a reading in class.

Liberal Arts give us an opportunity to explore the human experience through literature, language, history, philosophy, world cultures, and more. Our students take these courses while examining the world through multiple views, being exposed to a variety of thoughts, and gaining insight into their own place within humanity.

For the first time in my life, there were adults who modeled what it meant to live a passionate life of the mind. It was a community of the most concentrated brilliance that I have ever been in in my life.

Garth Greenwell (Arts Academy '94-'96)

Liberal Arts Departments

The study of literature opens students’ eyes to a complex world, exposing them to a multiplicity of views focused on the fullness of life rather than upon any given social, political, or religious orientation. Alongside literature, students explore the power of language and what it means to perceive and formulate meaning. The Interlochen Arts Academy English Department is committed to assisting students as they pursue literary appreciation and language skills, and in doing so, come to a deeper understanding of the human experience.

Core Curriculum

The English as a Language Department offers a curriculum structured to meet the needs of international students who have limited English proficiency. Instructors draw from the best of current linguistic, psychological, and educational research as they support students in second language learning, a process that takes place in the community and in classrooms.

Core Curriculum

Language is the art of communication through behavior, speech, and writing. The study of a world language involves the student in the communication patterns of other cultures.

In an effort to encourage communication, all of the world languages offered at Interlochen are taught exclusively in the target language, and all communication between the teacher and students takes place in the target language—including grammatical explanations and cultural topics. In this way, the language classroom acts as a microcosm of the foreign country. Contextual clues, cognates, gestures, and visual aids assist the learner in understanding without the need to translate to or from his or her native language. Participation at required weekly language tables helps promote meaningful communication in a less structured environment.

Core Curriculum

Instructors in the History and Political Science Department at Interlochen Arts Academy work hard to help stimulate an awareness of the human condition in their students. They teach young artists to apply rational thinking to humanity’s historical, economic, political, and social development. Students learn to thoughtfully consider societal issues as they deepen their knowledge of history and political science and become proficient in the basic skills related to these disciplines.

Core Curriculum

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Meet Our Faculty

Our Liberal Arts instructors are an eclectic group of writers, journalists, travelers, film buffs, choir members, and even former Peace Corps volunteers. What they share is a passion for teaching, a dedication to their subject matter, and an enthusiasm for their students.

Cassandra Anouthay

Cassandra Anouthay

Instructor of English & Humanities

231.276.4892 231.276.4892 cassandra.anouthay@interlochen.org
Angela Blair

Angela Blair

Instructor of English as a Language

231.276.4714 231.276.4714 angela.blair@interlochen.org
Lisa Dohm

Lisa M. Dohm, Ed.D.

Instructor of Spanish & Psychology

231.276.7463 231.276.7463 lisa.dohm@interlochen.org
Teresa Hittner

Teresa Hittner

Instructor of French

231.276.4701 231.276.4701 hittnerta@interlochen.org
Abbi Gee

Abigail Hoiles, M.Ed.

Instructor of English & Humanities

231.276.4711 231.276.4711 abigail.hoiles@interlochen.org
Matthew Jason

Matthew Jason

Instructor of History and Social Studies

matthew.jason@interlochen.org
Chad Kamrow

Chad Kamrow

Instructor of History & Political Science

231.276.4710 231.276.4710 chad.kamrow@interlochen.org
Karen Libby

Karen Leland Libby

Instructor of English & Humanities

231.276.4802 231.276.4802 libbykl@interlochen.org
Brian McCall

Brian McCall

Instructor of History & Political Science

231.276.4714 231.276.4714 mccallbd@interlochen.org
Stone Mims

Stone Erickson Mims

Instructor of English and History

231.276.4709 231.276.4709 stone.mims@interlochen.org
Sage Mitchell

Sage Mitchell

Instructor of Humanities

sage.mitchell@interlochen.org
Leah Mosher

Leah Mosher

Instructor of History & Humanities

231.276.5616 231.276.5616 leah.mosher@interlochen.org
Nora Robinson

Eleanor Liu Robinson

Instructor of English as a Language

231.276.7469 231.276.7469 robinsonel@interlochen.org