Jonathan Leest was determined to have an amazing summer. The senior music industry studies major in the University of Delaware School of Music had spent time in Germany in the summer of 2024, and he hoped to return to Europe in 2025. 

His dream came true when he was offered the orchestra manager internship for the 2025 Trentino Music Festival in Italy. The five-week internship was gruelling, surprising, stressful and, indeed, amazing. 

Leest has had internships before, and he felt prepared for the job, which included preparing rehearsal spaces and assisting with schedules, but he quickly realized his role was much more involved, especially when it came to managing the orchestra members, most of whom were college-age musicians.

“If someone had asked me before I went if I could do it — running around all day, dealing with so many people with so many questions and problems, putting on a good show despite the craziness, I would have said, ‘Are you crazy? No way,’” he said. “But I learned that I have a lot more stamina than I knew. I learned how to persevere and keep a smile on my face.”

Stepping into the role

When he landed in Venice, Italy, at 9 a.m. on June 28, he expected to make his way to his housing assignment and settle in, but he immediately received a message from his boss asking him to stay at the airport until 5 that afternoon to meet all 112 members of the orchestra as they arrived. 

That was just the beginning, as Leest was the point of contact for questions about everything from missed flights to power outages. 

“I set up the stands and chairs, answered questions, organized the bus to performances, made programs in Canva, got coffee, even did someone’s grocery shopping. I was the ‘it’ guy,” he said. “It taught me how internships can go beyond what’s written on paper — you really step into whatever role is needed at the moment.” 

Leest said his coursework at UD helped prepare him to embrace the challenges. 

“I had to adjust quickly to different working styles and expectations in Italy, something my classes only hinted at,” he said. “Still, the group projects, presentations and event-planning assignments I did at school helped me feel more confident when situations shifted in real time.”

Making connections 

The festival draws participants from all over the world, and one of Leest’s goals was to make industry connections. Even though many directors and performers are from the U.S., he also met people from places like Uganda and Australia. 

“Building relationships and networking with artists, managers and staff is just as important as the work itself,” he said. 

He is also grateful to be someplace where classical music is held in high regard. 

“Being in Europe you see how music is much more respected. It’s taken seriously and is more like an art form as opposed to something people do as a hobby,” he said. 

He went on to explain that the festival’s operas and orchestra performances were almost always full, even for less popular pieces. 

“We did Little Women, which is in English, and we’re in Italy, where they don’t perform English operas,” he said. “The lines were out the door, people coming in, bringing their kids, all four nights. I don’t know that that would happen in Delaware.” 

Ensuring success

The extra duties may have been a surprise, but Leest understands how having an open mind helped him appreciate the experience.

“The most valuable experiences can come from the tasks you didn’t expect to do,” he said. “Taking initiative is how you stand out.” 

More importantly, he learned that he could manage the unexpected with a positive attitude, even on days when he felt overworked and underappreciated.

After an incident where Leest said he was harshly reprimanded in front of the entire orchestra, a friend asked how he kept a smile on his face. Leest explained that it was part of ensuring success.

“In any work setting, an office, backstage, on a cruise line, if you smile and pretend everything is okay, then everyone is going to feel better and the show will go on,” he said.

When he wasn’t overwhelmed with work, Leest found time to explore northern Italy and enjoy Italian cuisine, which also made the experience worthwhile. 

“The fun parts were the most fun parts of my life that I’ve ever experienced, but the hard parts were the hardest things I’ve ever experienced,” he said.