"The decisions are made by Darren, who is the artist director, and myself. It's a pretty select kind of program. The good thing about us is if you don't do well one year, you can always come back."

There are between five and 10 similar summer programs in the country.

"Of course, I have a biased opinion, but I think ours is one of the best, if not the best. We have some credibility to back us. Classical Singer Magazine,' the national service magazine for singers, has rated us among the best for several years."

QUEEN'S FAVORITE

The colony's pedigree hails back to the great Polish tenor, Jean de Reske, who was Seagle's teacher, a Metropolitan Opera star and Queen Victoria's favorite singer. After Seagle's summer residency, many of his students followed him to the de Reszke-Seagle School in Nice, France.

Sean Panikkar, who attended the colony during the summer of 2002, debuts at the Metropolitan Opera this season.

"We plan to tout our success," Kostecki said. "We're trying to tap into that New York City arts market. We're having a little reception next month.

"Sean will be there to sing and be an example of what we do and how it helps build the careers of young singers."

rcaudell@pressrepublican.com