The Interlochen Center for the Arts, a prestigious boarding school and summer camp in Michigan, released an independent investigation last month documenting approximately 70 allegations of sexual abuse by nearly 50 adults affiliated with the institution over several decades. The report covers incidents from the 1950s through the 2010s and reveals systematic vulnerabilities that enabled abuse, including limited family communication for students, one-on-one interactions between adults and minors, and inadequate oversight mechanisms.
Paul Busch, now 37, is publicly sharing his experience of being sexually abused by ballet teacher Thomas Clower when Busch was 16 years old during his sophomore year at the school. Busch initially minimized the extent of the abuse when questioned by investigators and school administrators due to fear and shame. Clower pleaded guilty in 2005 to attempted fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, a misdemeanor charge, and served approximately 60 days in jail before being released early due to overcrowding. He was required to register as a sex offender in Michigan and was terminated by Interlochen.
The investigation revealed that Clower subsequently worked at dance schools in Texas, including the Ballet Ensemble of Texas and the Ballet Academy of Texas, where he taught students for years after his conviction. Recent records show Clower was listed on the academy’s website as director of the men’s division until his name was removed following NPR’s inquiries. In a 2025 recording obtained by NPR, Clower characterized the incident that led to his conviction as a misunderstanding, claiming he was “exonerated” despite his guilty plea.
Busch reported experiencing significant emotional consequences following the abuse, including years of substance abuse and isolation at Interlochen after the incident became known. He subsequently pursued professional dance training at Juilliard and performed internationally for over a decade. However, Busch has expressed dissatisfaction with Interlochen’s response, stating the institution’s current safety measures and counseling fund do not constitute adequate accountability for decades of abuse. Interlochen stated in its community letter that the school is “fundamentally different” from the institution described in the report and has implemented new protective measures.
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