Presenter: Hello and welcome! This is Young Professionals. In our studio today is Caroline Stockwell, a Michigan University student majoring in music and a counselor at Blue Lake Music Summer Camp. Hello, Caroline!

Caroline: Good morning!

Presenter: Caroline, what exactly is a counselor in a camp?

Caroline: Oh, it's a person who lives in the same cabin as the children and serves as a leader, role model, problem solver, motivator, and guardian. Counselors also plan and supervise camp activities and help campers in every possible way.

Presenter: That sounds like a lot of responsibilities! How do you cope with that?

Caroline: I spent my summers at Blue Lake as a child myself and saw what our counselors did, and really looked up to them. So, it was easy to transition from one role to the other. I really enjoy being a counselor.

Presenter: You mentioned being a problem solver. What problems do campers face?

Caroline: I work with young children. Their main problem is being homesick from time to time. When that happens, we usually talk about it, or we do something fun. At my college I double major in psychology, and that helps, too. Sometimes piano students fight over practice rooms with pianos  — we have a lot of those, but still not enough for all to practice at the same time.

Presenter: How many hours a day do campers study at Blue Lake?

Caroline: A lot! They have classes from 9 till 3, and then there's time for individual practice. But we do find time to play and read and do other fun things together, as well. We also go to concerts every other day!

Presenter: When I think of a summer camp I always think of sports. Do your campers do any sports?

Caroline: Could you define sports?

Presenter: Well, you know what I mean! But ok. An activity that requires a physical effort and skill, a lot of practice, which is done according to the rules, which is often competitive, and which is often done in a team.

Caroline: Do you realize that you have just described what musicians do?

Presenter: No. How?

Caroline: An orchestra or ensemble is a team. There are many rules. There are com-⁠petitions. A lot of skill is required, a lot of practice is involved. And if you think that playing a musical instrument doesn't require a physical effort, try standing for half an hour just holding the lightest instrument of all  — the flute  — in the right position! Add correct breathing to it and you will soon be physically exhausted!

Presenter: Hm!.. I've never thought of it that way! I guess you're right, though. You mentioned going to concerts every other day  — who plays at these concerts?

Caroline: Teachers! It really motivates the children to see their teachers play for them. Very often these are famous musicians. Children who study music are a great audience, and at these concerts you can feel this incredible connection between the performers and the listeners. It's practically tangible and can be very touching. They also learn how to behave at concerts.

Presenter: What do you mean? Isn't it obvious?

Caroline: Not always. They learn a very important rule  — not to clap between the movement  — or parts  — of one musical piece. This often happens at real concerts. But it is considered a big no-⁠no. So, our campers know that very well. However, just the other day this led to a funny situation.

Presenter: What happened?

Caroline: A very short piece was performed by a cellist. When he finished playing, there was a deadly silence. The children didn't realise it was the end and were afraid to clap. So, the performer had to smile and say  — "That's it, guys, there's no more!" Everybody laughed and clapped louder than ever.

Presenter: It sounds like you have a big family there... (fading out).