GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, Mich. – The Interlochen Center for the Arts has launched an investigation into reports of sexual misconduct involving faculty who worked at the academy decades ago.
The sexual misconduct allegations involve former faculty members from the 1960s and 1970s.
None of the faculty members accused of sexual abuse still work at the facility, and some of them have died, according to Interlochen.
After alumni came forward to report the abuse, Interlochen hired the Sanghavi Law Office, LLC, to conduct an external investigation.
“We recognize how painful and difficult it can be to share deeply personal experiences of harm, and we are listening with integrity, candor, and compassion,” according to a release posted on the Interlochen Center for the Arts website. “To that end, we have initiated an external review into historical reports of faculty or staff sexual misconduct with students at the Academy. This external fact-gathering process is a foundational and necessary step in acknowledging the past, affirming the voices of those who have been impacted, incorporating whatever lessons are learned, and ensuring that our current and future students thrive in a safe and supportive environment.”
The attorneys hired to conduct the investigation have already started interviewing alumni, and anyone who experienced or witnessed sexual misconduct is encouraged to reach out to the following by Sept. 1, 2025:
Elizabeth Sanghavi
- Phone: 617-505-3010
Jane (Jenni) Lopez
- Email: jane@sanghavilawoffice.com
- Phone: 617-505-3007
“We know that revisiting painful memories can be difficult. We want every member of our community to know that this work is being done in good faith and with empathy,” according to Interlochen. “We are committed to creating a space where voices can be heard and where those experiences can be integrated into a robust understanding of our institutional history.”
Anyone with questions about the external review can email investigation@interlochen.org or call 231.276.8093.
Local 4 has reached out to local law enforcement to see if they are involved in the investigation.
The Interlochen Centers for the Arts also released the following statement about its commitment to student safety:
“We understand that this news may raise questions and concerns about current student safety. At Interlochen, the safety and well-being of every student is—and always will be—our highest priority.
We invite you to learn more about our current safety protocols and community standards for safeguarding our students here.
We are steadfast in our commitment to fostering a culture of accountability, trust, and care—and we will continue working every day to ensure that Interlochen is a place where all students can safely learn and grow."
The Interlochen Center for the Arts in Northern Michigan has announced that it is currently investigating allegations of misconduct by faculty that date back more than 50 years.
Interlochen, located approximately 30 minutes southwest of Traverse City, is a world-renowned performance arts school that has been in existence since 1928.
Word of the investigation suddenly came out late Thursday night and has shed an unwelcome light on the elite performing arts school.
The incidents, the school states, date back to the 1960s and 1970s and involve faculty members who are no longer with the school or have since passed away.
If you think about it, this type of investigation that is so old that it might be 30, 40, or 50 years old, the traditional things that we see in investigations, such as text messages and emails, won’t be in play,” Matthew Schneider, a former U.S. Attorney, said on Friday.
The investigation actually began in April 2024, but only became public this week.
The school has enlisted the services of the Sanghavi Law Firm, based in Boston, to conduct the external investigation.
The school says the firm does not represent the school.
In a statement, the school says: “We are deeply saddened and concerned by reports of sexual misconduct involving former Academy faculty members from the 1960s and 1970s. We very much appreciate the alumni who have come forward to share their experiences.”
While the potential for statutes of limitations may come into play, Schneider says it’s essential for survivors to come forward and make their voices heard.
“If you are a victim of a crime and you are a survivor, it doesn’t really matter what the statute of limitations is, because your voice still has to come out and be heard,” said Schneider.
Local 4 reached out to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office to find out if they are investigating, and they responded by saying:
“The Attorney General has not received criminal complaints alleging sexual assault at the Interlochen Arts Center and has no associated active investigations on the subject,” stated the attorney general’s office.
Any individual who would like to file a criminal complaint is asked to contact our office.”
Interlochen did not specify how many people have come forward, but they are asking anyone who may have been a victim to contact the school directly.