Interlochen Arts Academy Reveals Decades of Abuse, Names Alleged Perpetrators

INTERLOCHEN, Mich. — Interlochen Arts Academy, a prominent Michigan boarding school, has publicly released findings from an independent investigation detailing allegations of abuse spanning more than 60 years. The report, conducted by the law firm Husch Blackwell, identified 88 individuals as alleged perpetrators and 238 as alleged victims since the school's establishment in 1962.

The investigation's findings were made public on Thursday. The academy named 82 of the alleged perpetrators, including former staff members, faculty, guest artists, and students. Six alleged perpetrators were not identified publicly due to ongoing investigations or legal constraints. Among those named as an alleged perpetrator is financier Jeffrey Epstein, who attended Interlochen as a teenager.

Investigators interviewed 430 individuals during the course of the probe, reviewing more than 1.4 million pages of documents, including school records, emails, personnel files, and financial statements. The investigation also examined child protection policies and practices at the institution over time.

Interlochen Center for the Arts President and CEO, Brandon Gryde, addressed the findings in a letter to the community. He stated, "The stories shared with the Husch Blackwell team are heartbreaking, and we recognize the immense courage it took for survivors to come forward and share their experiences." Gryde also acknowledged the institution's past failures, stating, "We failed to adequately protect students, and we did not always respond appropriately when allegations were raised."

The report outlines various forms of alleged abuse, including sexual, physical, and emotional misconduct. It describes instances where alleged perpetrators exploited their positions of authority and trust. The investigation also found that the institution's responses to allegations varied over time, sometimes failing to protect students or hold alleged abusers accountable.

Interlochen officials announced several measures in response to the report, including enhanced safeguarding policies, mandatory reporting training for all staff, and resources for survivors. They also stated their commitment to ongoing transparency and accountability.