If ever there is a time and place where you will meet all the various walks of life in this crazy art form of ours, it will be at a summer program. Summer programs bring together a bunch of young, idealistic, and aspiring singers with more personalities than a drag show, and keeps them in near-constant contact for weeks at a time. Some of these people you’ll love, some will drive you insane, and some very well may be you! Here are a few of the colorful individuals you will meet at a summer program.

The Resident

This guy has been here for three or four years in a row. He knows all the cool places to go, all the locals know him by name, and he can tell you where to get the best and cheapest Vitamin C. Seriously, you want this guy in your life!

The One With the Fan Base

Her mom dropped her off, big brother came out to visit the following weekend, the besties all came for a weekend before tech week, and then the boyfriend came out just before the whole family for the production! How do people have all this money to travel?

The One That’s Always "On"

You’re going to be very hard pressed to remember a conversation with this guy that wasn’t shoptalk. He’s heard every recording of "Prendi," constantly talks about all of his repertoire, knows all the coaches in the tri-state area, and wants to know everyone you've coached with. 

The Up-and-Comer

Here’s the guy that’s going to try and make you think he’s bigger than he is. He’s already played all the major tenor roles, though we know they’re just scenes. He’s being scouted by major YAPs and he’s totally going to be auditioning for the Met in a couple years. Of course, he has no problem describing himself as a Jugend Heldentenor. 

The Burnout

She talks smack about the production, the coaches, and the program in general, but all this bitterness is because she’s been wondering for a while now if singing is really for her. Keep her at arm’s length, but try to show her some compassion.

The Summer Program Junkie

This is just one of several programs she’s attending this summer. First, there was the art song program in France, then the Goethe Institute, and now this. Seriously, where do they get all this money to travel??

The Expat

He is going to do everything in his power to make you believe he’s really German, despite the fact that his last name is Montgomery. He speaks the language “fluently,” knows the culture in and out, and goes on and on about all the colloquialisms and idiosyncrasies of the people. He will totally call you out on your uncultured faux pas: “You should know that what you said was really crude and insulting in German culture!” 

The Besties

These two just met, but will have signed their names in blood and become each other’s bridesmaids by the end of this program. Ah, there's nothing like a good showmance. 

The One Who’s Never Around

Rehearsal is over, and they are gone! They never hang out with everyone and they’re usually travelling on the weekend. Even on the lunch break, they’re nowhere to be seen.  They’re doing stuff; you just never see them. However, when you happen to catch them at the local pub or grocery store, savor the time you spend with them. They are usually pretty delightful people.

The Drinker

It’s you. It’s me. It’s him and her. It’s all of us. No judgment whatsoever. Sometimes, you just have get through it.