Caroline Lucille to Interlochen

“If I owe my moral existence to music, I owe my physical existence to music as well.” - M. Gretry



This upcoming school year is my senior year. This summer I had been preparing to go back to Founders Classical Academy, where I’ve spent the last 5 years. This preparation included things like All-State, running for choir president, starting up an a cappella group, preparing for musical auditions, beginning my senior thesis on The Influence of Music on Health and Life, seeing what local events and musical competitions I could compete in, and writing more songs before the year began.

These were my senior plans until I heard about Interlochen Arts Academy  (IAA) through my vocal coach.

My research about Interlochen was so amazing!  IAA was everything that I have strived for since I was little; and, I didn’t even know a school like that existed.  IAA teaches all things art: music, drama, piano, photography, etc.  It was a school where I could go, complete my academics AND work on my music skills in Voice, Piano, Theory, and Songwriting!  IAA’s alumni includes Norah Jones and Josh Groban!  All this was so amazing and exciting but the question became: would my parents allow me to spend my senior year 1200 miles (18 hours) away from home; and, would I even be able to get in?  IAA only accepts 500 students, I would be applying after the deadline, and that didn’t even include the cost!  When I spoke with my parents, they were completely onboard!  They know how much music is a part of my life and have supported me continuously!  So, I took a great leap of faith and applied!  The application process was long and intense.  School and music recommendations were needed, proof of academics, an essay discussing my views on music and it’s influence in my life, and an audition recording of 5 original songs.  With my parents help I was able to get everything submitted!  

Now to wait. I knew that getting into IAA was a long shot; so, I didn’t get my hopes up and just continued to plan for my senior year as if nothing was going to change.

Much to my surprise, two weeks ago I received an acceptance letter!!!  This letter not only said that I had been accepted, BUT it included a $48,000 scholarship!!  I never dreamed that my going to IAA would even be a possibility, but now it is a reality!  Even with the scholarship, the reality is an additional $15,000 is needed to cover costs for boarding, books, uniforms, etc.  On such short notice of acceptance, me and my parents are working diligently to earn the additional monies needed.  I hadn’t thought of creating a GoFundMe page until a couple of friends recommended that I set one up.  If you feel drawn to make a donation in support of my education and journey, I say THANK YOU!  Every donation is so greatly appreciated!  To LIKE and SHARE this page with others will be appreciated, too!  Offline donations can be mailed to the address below.

Thank YOU so much for helping make this possible and lessening the burden.  

I’m so happy for this opportunity and I can’t wait to get to Michigan so I can begin the journey!!

-Caroline Lucille Baker



Caroline Baker
℅ Steven Baker
2201 Long Prairie Rd 107-249
Flower Mound, TX 75022