An independent investigation has uncovered nearly 70 allegations of sexual abuse spanning six decades at Michigan’s prestigious Interlochen Center for the Arts, revealing systemic failures that left vulnerable students unprotected from predatory staff members who exploited their ambitions and isolation.

Decades of Abuse at Elite Arts Academy

The sweeping report released last month details allegations against nearly 50 adults employed or affiliated with Interlochen from the 1950s through the 2010s. Former students described a permissive environment where adults maintained one-on-one access to children who had limited family contact and feared reporting misconduct. The school commissioned the investigation in 2024 after an alumna disclosed abuse from the 1970s involving a longtime administrator.

Paul Busch, now speaking publicly for the first time, was 16 when ballet teacher Thomas Clower sexually abused him in 2005. Recruited from Ohio with a partial scholarship, Busch revered the teacher who exploited his desire to become a professional dancer. Clower later pleaded guilty to the abuse, making him the only living perpetrator named by the school. Three other accused individuals are deceased.

School Response Falls Short for Victims

Interlochen claims it is fundamentally different today, implementing safety measures including counselors, social workers, and a psychologist. The school outlined protocols designed to prevent the isolation and oversight gaps identified in the report. However, survivors like Busch reject the response as inadequate. He spent 21 years processing the trauma while the institution moves toward closure without meaningful accountability.

The investigation reviewed court documents, sheriff reports, and witness testimony revealing how the school’s structure created conditions for abuse. Students pursuing artistic careers were particularly vulnerable, separated from parents and dependent on instructors who controlled their professional futures. Some victims remained silent for decades, carrying shame from experiences that occurred during their formative years.

Pattern of Institutional Failure

The report exposes critical weaknesses in child protection at an institution that helped launch careers of performers including Josh Groban and Norah Jones. The contrast between Interlochen’s prestigious reputation and the documented abuse raises questions about oversight at elite boarding schools where students live away from families. Victims now face the challenge of healing while the institution attempts to distance itself from its history without addressing the lasting damage inflicted on generations of students who trusted adults to protect them.