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April 13, 2002A gem returnsJewel sets July performance at InterlochenBy MIKE NORTONRecord-Eagle staff writer INTERLOCHEN - One of the most celebrated graduates of the Interlochen Center for the Arts - pop singer Jewel - will return to campus this summer, this time as a performer. The 27-year-old star will appear July 5 in Interlochen's Kresge Auditorium, according to sources at her recording label, Atlantic Records. Interlochen officials quickly confirmed that she would be one of the top acts in this year's Interlochen Arts Festival lineup. "Isn't it something?" said Thom Paulson, the center's vice president for radio and presentation. "Jewel's coming to Interlochen is pretty indicative of the fact that we're shooting a little higher than usual in terms of quality and profile." Born Jewel Kilcher in Payson, Utah, Jewel grew up in Alaska without many of the modern conveniences most people take for granted. As a girl she spent much of her time writing poetry and singing with other members of her family. In 1991 she won a partial scholarship to Interlochen - the rest of her tuition came from the proceeds of a one-night benefit concert in her hometown - where she majored in voice. She spent her junior and senior high school years here, working as a waitress in Traverse City. At the academy she overcame dyslexia and learned to play guitar, began refining her songwriting skills, and talked the academy into letting her participate in the school drama program, where she landed the lead in a production of "Spoon River Anthology." Jewel was the first non-theater major to be in an acting class at Interlochen, and theater instructor Robin Ellis remembers her as "an excellent student ... intelligent, curious, energetic, eager and fearless." Voice instructor Nicole Philibosian had even more vivid memories of the young singer. She still recalls the first time she heard Jewel perform off-campus. "Jewel was just getting ready to leave Interlochen and she said, 'I'm going to sing in Traverse City tonight - do you want to come hear me?' She was singing at Ray's Coffee House, playing her guitar. Jewel just blew me away. I just sat there with tears running down my cheeks. "She's enormously talented," Philibosian said. "What was fun about her was that she was completely game to try anything. I'm sure she has taken that and applied it to what she is doing now." After graduating from Interlochen in 1992, she moved to California and lived in her car while performing at a San Diego coffeehouse until her popularity was noticed by the recording industry. In five months the 19-year-old singer was signed by Atlantic. Her first album, "Pieces of You," came out in February 1995; since then it has sold some 11 million copies. Her subsequent albums have included 1998's "Spirit," which included the single "Hands," and 2001's "This Way." Jewel's July 5 appearance will begin at 8 p.m., and will include the opening act M2M. Tickets are $39.50 and will go on sale Friday, May 3. Ticket order forms will be available in the Friday, May 3, edition of the Record-Eagle and online at www.interlochen.org. Order forms can be faxed to the Interlochen Box Office at (231) 276-7444. The Interlochen box office begins taking phone orders at (800) 681-5920 and walk-up orders on Monday, May 20.
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