Spartan News is a presentation of Mason County Central School District in partnership with Mason County Press.
SCOTTVILLE — On Thursday, Feb. 19, Mason County Central freshman Colin Sullivan, signed a letter of intent to attend Interlochen Arts Academy for the remainder of his high school career, beginning in the fall of 2026. Sullivan was accompanied by his father, Tim Sullivan, along with MCC High School Principal Jeff Tuka; Brian Parent, director of MCC bands; Ted Malt, professor of music studies and director of performing arts at West Shore Community College; Becky Sopha, WSCC instructor of music; Jim Truxton, mentor; and Rob Alway, treasurer of the Scottville Clown Band.
Sullivan, a trombonist, performs with the MCC High School Concert Band, MCC Jazz Band, MCC pep band, WSCC Jazz I and Jazz II ensembles and the WSCC Wind Symphony, among other community bands.
In front, from left: Tuka, Colin Sullivan, Tim Sullivan, Sopha. In back, from left: Alway, Malt, Parent, Truxton.
Interlochen Arts Academy, located in the village of Interlochen in Grand Traverse County, is internationally recognized for cultivating elite young artists. Students are selected through a highly competitive audition and review process. Sullivan’s acceptance places him among a select group of emerging musicians from across the country and around the world who demonstrate exceptional artistic promise, dedication, and discipline.
“This is exactly the kind of opportunity that changes a young artist’s life,” said Malt. “Colin earned this through persistence, humility, and countless hours of focused practice. Interlochen will challenge him, inspire him, and surround him with peers who share his level of commitment. We are incredibly proud of him. He is a young man who has work ethic, humility leadership, and a genuine passion for music. He is both coachable and deeply motivated, which a rare combination that has fueled his rapid musical growth.”
Parent described Sullivan as a talented musician who has great potential. Sullivan recently performed as first chair trombonist with the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association’s All-State Jazz Band.
Tuka said Sullivan is not only a talented musician but an outstanding student and leader.
From left: Malt, Colin Sullivan, Tim Sullivan, Parent.
“We are very proud of Colin and his accomplishments,” Tuka said. “He is respected among his peers and friends because he leads with humility and kindness. He also shines academically. No matter what path life has for him, he will always be a Spartan.”
Sulivan is the second MCC student to attend Interlochen Academy. Flutist Jason Bladzik attended in the early 1990s. Other MCC students, including tubist Martin Erickson, class of 1965, attended Interlochen Arts Camp, a summer program. Erickson, who recently retired as an instructor of tuba/euphonium and chamber music at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis.
MCC alumnus Edgar Struble, class of 1969, described Sullivan as one of the most talented young trombonists he has known. Struble, who served as Kenny Rogers’ music director for several years, is an artist-in-residence at WSCC.
Jeff Tuka with Colin Sullivan.
Sullivan received a $61,000.00 annual scholarship renewable for three years based on his audition and interview. The remainder of his annual tuition is being covered through a scholarship fund managed by the Scottville Clown Band, that has been funded by local supporters and advocates of the young musician.
“It is an honor for the Scottville Clown Band to play a role in Colin’s music education, along with the dozens of students we support annually through our scholarship and grant programs,” said Alway. “The primary mission of the Scottville Clown Band is to support youth music education.”
The Clown Band’s first scholarship, in 1964, was awarded to Martin Erickson to attend Interlochen’s summer camp program.
“We are proud to continue this tradition, supporting not only an MCC student, from our hometown, but also one of the Clown Band’s student members. Our members look forward to seeing him accomplish great things.”
Interlochen Arts Academy provides pre-professional training in a conservatory environment where students study with renowned faculty while completing rigorous academic coursework. Alumni of the institution regularly continue on to major conservatories, universities, and professional artistic careers. Noteworthy alumni include musician/performers Norah Jones, Jewel, Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul & Mary), Josh Broban, among others.
For Sullivan, the opportunity represents both a milestone and a beginning.
“Colin has always approached music with sincerity and curiosity,” Malt added. “Interlochen will give him the environment to discover just how far his potential can go.”
Colin Sullivan signs his letter to Interlochen.
____________________
Please Support Local News and Sports Coverage
Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email news alerts for $10 a month. Your contribution will help us to continue to provide you with free local news.
To sign up, email editor@mediagroup31.com. In the subject line write: Subscription. Please supply your name, email address, mailing address, and phone number (indicate cell phone). We will not share your information with any outside sources. For more than one email address in a household, the cost is $15 per month per email address.
We can send you an invoice for a yearly payment of $120, which you can conveniently pay online or by check. If you are interested in this method, please email editor@mediagroup31.com and we can sign you up. You can also mail a yearly check for $120 to Media Group 31, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454 (please include your email address).
Payment must be made in advance prior to subscription activation.
We appreciate all our readers regardless of whether they choose to continue to access our service for free or with a monthly financial support.
_____
This story and original photography are copyrighted © 2026, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.
As the services of Media Group 31, LLC are news services, the information posted within the sites are archivable for public record and historical posterity. For this reason it is the policy and practice of this company to not delete postings. It is the editor’s discretion to update or edit a story when/if new information becomes available. This may be done by editing the posted story or posting a new “follow-up” story. Media Group 31, LLC or any of its agents have the right to make any changes to this policy. Refer to Use Policy for more information.
.png)
