Send Jackson to Interlochen Academy for 2024-25

July 26, 2024 Dear Family and Friends, Jackson has been accepted into the Interlochen Arts Academy for the 2024-25 school year. It's an impressive and well-earned achievement. Interlochen is a world-class music and arts boarding school, enrolling the top young talent from around the world. It is a major stepping stone to Julliard, etc. However, even with his VERY substantial scholarship, and our family's hefty contribution, the yearly cost ($82k) is $12,000 beyond our immediate family's financial capability.

Performance piano is the path Jackson has chosen, and he is well on the way to making that a reality. Many of you have heard Jackson perform very challenging classical pieces. This spring he placed 2nd in the prestigious statewide NJMEA piano competition. This summer, he is self-teaching himself Chopin's Piano Etude in C Minor. Others have heard him playing jazz standards at Jazz House Kids, Trinity Church and even the Shanghai Jazz Club. His talent and dedication are substantial and well matched. Here is a link to one of his recent performances: https://youtu.be/if96LKBw6zM

If we could fully pay for this ourselves, we would. Ivette and I have canceled our October trip to Spain to make those monies available. Alex and Nickie are working overtime to maximize what they can contribute. We are hoping this Go Fund Me campaign will raise the additional funds to "get him over the hump". We know you all have families and your own grandkids to support. That said, we would be hugely grateful for your anonymous contributions. Sometimes it takes a village, even more than practice, to get to Carnegie Hall. Thank you, thank you, thank you, the Chigers.