I stepped out onto the stage with sweaty palms and a racing mind. This was the biggest stage I had ever performed on, but instead of feeling intimidated, I felt comforted. The front row was full of my best friends, a group of people I had closely bonded with over the busy three weeks I spent with them in the woods of Michigan. I looked at each of them, soaking up my last moments in this unique, artistic environment. When I was ready, I turned to my left and gave my friend Drea the nod to start playing guitar. After a couple of seconds of her strumming, I took a deep breath and began my last performance at Interlochen Arts Camp in Interlochen, Michigan. 

I first heard about Interlochen through a friend who went there the summer before. I was hesitant to apply, but she encouraged me to try after hearing me sing.  I considered many different paths, but I eventually decided to combine my love of creative writing with singing and apply for the singing and songwriting course. A few months later, I found out I was accepted, and the preparation for camp began. 

Following many months of apprehension, I eventually made it to the northern paradise that is Michigan. My parents dropped me off at cabin 212, my new home for a short while. Once they left, something shifted. I began to feel the urge to go out into this new environment to see what it had to offer. With my guitar and journal in hand, I set out onto campus and became determined to leave this camp a changed person. 

This change began in a stuffy cabin, packed full of dusty folding chairs and guitars, all leading up to the performance area at the front. The first class was nerve-wracking because I had no idea what to expect. My classmates had no fear, they jumped right into performing. I sat there in awe listening to the first song being shared with the class. Each guitar chord and lyric revealed a piece of the performer that I could not have picked out by just talking to them. 

Part of what makes songwriting so special is the level of vulnerability and intensity it offers. This made it easy to click with the songwriters around me. Before we even had full conversations, we already shared pieces of ourselves within our songs. I began to develop a community full of passionate people who hoped to express themselves through music, just like me. I hoped to soak up every drop of this environment because I knew it would be hard to find back home. 

My peers at camp found immense joy in songwriting which inspired me throughout my time there. They shared with me their love of not only songwriting, but also performance. Performing was no longer something I dreaded.

Once camp ended, I noticed a shift in my perception of my own talents and others talents around me. I developed a complete appreciation for the arts and began to look for ways I could display my work in my community at home. I made an Instagram account solely for the purpose of sharing my music. As of right now, I’m working on finding small venues to perform in. It’s terrifying at first to share a personal side of yourself with strangers, but that thrill is what makes me enjoy making and sharing my own songs. 

I’m not sure where I’ll end up. Since going to camp, I’ve gathered many connections to artists in different states which will help me in the future. Even if I don’t end up performing music professionally, I’m grateful for the unique experience that Interlochen gave me. I hope to carry my love for music with me throughout my life.