July 4 • 2019 31
jn
of Music and Drama
in Glasgow and the
English Folk Dance
and Song Society in
London.
While he started a
square dance experi-
ence that fits in with
his music, another
Interlochen alum,
from the 1970s, has moved through
various step styles into salsa. Calling
herself “Mambo Marci” Iwrey, she
performs, teaches and plans corporate
events.
“My best memory of Interlochen is
that of a typical but magical day,
” says
this arts enthusiast. “
After a whole day
of dance classes (heavenly), I could
sit back under the outdoor pavilion
listening to live classical music as the
trees swayed back and forth.
”
Using the company name Mambo
Marci Productions, she will perform
July 14 at the Concert of Colors in
Midtown Detroit, Aug. 16 at the
Salsa Dance Party at Orchestra Hall
and Nov. 7 at Congregation Shaarey
Zedek, where she works as b’
nai mitz-
vah coordinator and assistant to the
cantors.
Sara Zwickl
Sara Zivian Zwickl
was very serious about
studying vocal perfor-
mance at Interlochen
during the 1970s, but
she ultimately decided
to become a lawyer,
now with an office in
Farmington Hills. Her singing talents,
however, have been heard in syna-
gogue programs.
While working in the Interlochen
admissions office, Zwickl was chosen
to be a tour guide for Imelda Marcos,
first lady of the Philippines for 21
years. Zwickl thinks of that as a very
exciting time.
“My strongest memories involve
different experiences — symphony
concerts, art shows and the outdoors,
”
she says. “I loved the smell of the pine
trees. I’
ve since been in pine forests
and think of Interlochen.
”
Ari Axelrod grew up in Ann Arbor,
but he is establishing a
career in New York. His
vocal performance is
centered around cabaret
music. He has performed
at Feinstein’
s/54 Below
and has developed the
show “
A Celebration of
Jewish Broadway.
”
“I felt I was treated
as a professional at Interlochen,
” says
Axelrod, 25. “I took a master class
from Heather Headley, who starred in
Aida on Broadway, and she went into
how to make a song your own and be
yourself.
”
As an actor, he has appeared in New
York productions of Milk and Honey,
Fun Home and Children of Eden.
His brother Robert Axelrod, 27, also
attended Interlochen
summer camp and
studied musical theater
there. “It remains one
of the most fulfilling
artistic and develop-
mental experiences of
my life,
” he says.
He now is a writer in Los Angeles
and is the winner of the 2019
CineStory TV Fellowship as well as
being a current semifinalist for the
Sundance Episodic Lab and a final-
ist for the Humanitas New Voices
Program. He also was a writer for the
2017 CBS Diversity Showcase.
Many entertainment notables with
New York acclaim have deep recollec-
tions of Interlochen. Among a long
list expressing these feelings to the
Jewish News have been actress Tovah
Feldshuh, Next to Normal composer
Tom Kitts and violinist Pamela Frank.
Feldshuh has said, “Michigan
is dear to my heart because of
Interlochen.
”
Kitt remarked, “Sometimes, I actu-
ally think of being in practice rooms
at Interlochen.
”
Frank commented in 1995,
“Practically every friend that I’
ve ever
had has been to Interlochen. I never
had the pleasure of going there, but,
by association, I feel very connected to
the area.
” ■
Details
The Interlochen Arts
Festival continues through
Aug. 21. For schedules,
prices and tickets, call
(231) 276-7200 or go to
Interlochen.org.
COURTESY INTERLOCHEN CENTER FOR THE ARTS
LEFT: Sara Zivian Zwickl rehears-
ing at Interlochen in the 1970s;
Zwickl is a lawyer today. MIDDLE:
Aaron Jonah Lewis on the fiddle.
RIGHT: “Mambo Marci” Iwrey at
Interlochen; today she teaches
and performs salsa and plans
corporate events.
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