Basic principles of gesture and stick technique, dynamics, articulation, energetics, score preparation, and rehearsal psychology. Learn to prepare and conduct “from the inside out” as you work with colleagues and conduct small ensembles in a warm, supportive environment.

“Oliver, I would recommend you to anyone - you are really a genius with the individual, specific ways in which you were able to affect each of us. We all learned from the others, as well as when we were on the podium. I feel like all music is richer now.”
- Dana Winograd, Principal Cellist, Santa Fe Symphony; Orchestra Director, St. Michael’s High School

“One of the great four days of my life. Truly. Thank you, Oliver.”
- Chris Jonas, composer, conductor

How much time have you spent practicing performing? Whatever your instrument, whatever the genre, if the answer is “almost none,” now’s the time to start! Using simple musical materials or your own familiar music, we’ll explore what it means to give and receive attention, how to identify musical ideas and opportunities for expression, and how to share those ideas and feelings with others. You’ll be working with fellow musicians in whole group, small group, and individual work in a warm, supportive environment.

“Thank you! I feel like you helped me find that confidence again in performance that I lost when I was a kid.
- Katrina Trujillo-Lucero

Broaden your expressive range, develop your understanding of the music you love, learn to comfortably connect and share with listeners, and explore your own musical creativity with fellow singers in a warm, supportive environment. There’s nothing to prepare, come as you are!

“It was like an x-ray into music.”
- Bettina M.

For the first time in my life, the basics of music theory were not just a mental exercise but rather a rich, full body experience. Oliver’s explanation of seemingly simple concepts brought me a much deeper understanding of what the composer is trying to do and what the chorus should be trying to do. Overall, this was an almost indescribably imaginative exploration of the heart and soul of music. Highly recommend for all choristers.
- Mary Alice G.

“So much fun, and inspiring! Thank you thank you for bringing us all on this journey.”
- Bee Z.

If improvisation is new to you, here’s your chance to get started using familiar music basics in ways that allow for playful inspiration, imagination, and expression. Along the way, we’ll reference language, movement, and everyday dramatic situations - it’s easy and fun!

Back in the day, many great instrumentalists were known for their “singing tone.” How do you do that? In this workshop we’ll explore the direct connection between your voice and your instrument, and we’ll consider the elements of vocal style: vowels and consonants, phrase shape and emphasis. Fun, transformative work!

In this workshop you’ll learn a few “rule of thumb” principles that will introduce you to the extraordinary beauty of “just-tuned” intervals and harmonies. Along the way, we’ll look at large and small whole and half steps, and we’ll briefly explore the overtone series - the acoustical phenomenon that’s fundamental to our common musical experience.

If you’re hungry for meaningful engagement with music, studying scores is where it’s at. Explore the integrity of selections from solo, chamber music, and orchestral repertoire with other musicians in a supportive, conversational setting. Discover what the composer is up to, admire the virtues of the parts against the whole, and take your musicianship to a new level.

Studying scores can take you deeper into the experience of the music, deepen your understanding of the composition, and give you more to work with when you teach, perform, or conduct. Let’s do it!

If you’re interested, please contact Oliver to see if Score Study is right for you.

Offered online:

For professional singers, instrumentalists, ensembles, and capable amateurs. Learn to connect more deeply with the music, your colleagues and the audience. Performance coaching is available directly through Oliver, please contact him for more info.

Conducting workshop with Chris Jonas and Oliver Prezant, photo by C. Whitney Ward. Practicing Performing workshop, photo by Oliver Prezant. Choral Workshop with the Zia Singers, phot by Mary Alice Gillette. Oliver Prezant giving a workshop, photo by Kacy Crews.. Oliver Prezant and Violin, photo by Ruthanne Greeley. Studying Scores, photo by Amy Owens. Violin and Cello, photo by permission of the photographer. Oliver Prezant, photo by Ruthanne Greeley. Footer: Prelude Talk at The Santa Fe Opera, photo by Ruthanne Greeley.