Snowy Fun: IAA’s “Winterlochen” Another Success

Written by Emily Guo and Penelope Ingram

On Feb. 21, IAA welcomed families from the surrounding community to campus for its annual winter festival, Winterlochen, an event designed to bring people together through art, music, and hands-on activities. Held each year in the middle of the winter season, Winterlochen offers a chance for families to escape the winter blues while experiencing the creative spirit of IAA.

Throughout the day, students, faculty, and staff host a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities for children and families. Outside, visitors bundle up for classic winter fun, including sledding and warming up with s’mores. Inside campus buildings, families are invited to explore the arts through interactive experiences led by members of the IAA community.

Participants have the opportunity to try real musical instruments, learn the basics of acting, paint and create crafts, and even conduct the IAA orchestra. Live jazz music fills the space, while dance and movement activities encourage guests to get involved. The event allows visitors not just to observe the arts, but to actively participate in them. 

Winterlochen concludes each year with a campus-wide parade that leads attendees to Corson Auditorium. There, families can enjoy a free multidisciplinary performance that showcases the many different art forms taught here at IAA, highlighting the school’s commitment to artistic excellence and collaboration across disciplines.

By combining creativity, community involvement, and accessibility, Winterlochen continues to be a welcoming event that invites families of all backgrounds to experience the arts together at IAA.