Fund Reece Mirkes' Journey to Interlochen Arts Academy

Hi, my name is Reece Mirkes and I am a 16-year-old trombonist and junior at Bixby High School in Oklahoma. I am beyond excited to share that I have been invited to join other emerging young talent at Interlochen Arts Academy (IAA), one of the top arts boarding schools in the world! This is a rare and life-changing opportunity, but I need your help to make it happen.

For those who don’t know, Interlochen is a boarding school in Michigan where students come from all over the world to focus on their chosen art while still getting a strong academic education. IAA is a highly competitive school that develops young artists who then go on to top conservatories, lead in their fields, and join prestigious programs worldwide. This is the chance of a lifetime to grow artistically and academically under the guidance of exceptional faculty, surrounded by state-of-the-art facilities and other students who are dedicating their lives to the arts, as I am.

I have worked extremely hard to get to this point. I am a two-time All-State trombonist, a member of the Tulsa Youth Symphony, and this year, I was selected for the prestigious National Youth Orchestra 2 (NYO2). I am proud to be among four trombonists chosen from across the nation! Through NYO2, I will be performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City and in the Edinburgh International Festival in Scotland, representing my state and my school on both national and international stages.

During my time at Bixby High School, I have been really lucky to have outstanding band instructors and private coaches who have encouraged, challenged, and supported me as I auditioned for NYO2 and performed in multiple District and All-State orchestras. They’ve always believed in me and pushed me to keep improving. Last fall, they gave me a leadership role and a featured trombone part in the marching show, which helped me gain a lot of confidence and grow as a musician. They’ve also encouraged me to work with younger students, which has become something I really enjoy. Their support over the past six years has made a huge difference in my life, and I hope to use what I learn at Interlochen to give back and inspire others the way they’ve inspired me.

Even with scholarship support from Interlochen and my parents’ significant contribution, there is still a portion of costs associated with tuition, travel, supplies, and living expenses that are not yet covered. I have set a fundraising goal of $10,000 to help cover these costs and I am reaching out to my community, friends, family, and anyone who believes in the power of music to ask for help.

This opportunity means everything to me and I am humbly asking for your support. If you are able to donate, or even share this campaign with others, it would make a huge difference. I know that times are tough for a lot of people right now, and just having your support and encouragement means the world to me.

Music isn’t just something I do - it’s who I am. It is how I express myself, connect with others, and push myself to grow. I have spent years practicing, performing, and learning everything I can. Now I have been presented with the opportunity of a lifetime.

Thank you so much for believing in me and being a part of my journey!

With immense gratitude,

Reece