MOSI Opera Conducting Workshop - December 10-20, 2026
An immersive opera conducting workshop for emerging and early-career conductors,
including generous podium time with singers and orchestra.
Applications for 2026 Conducting Workshop are now OPEN.
Click here for the Conducting Workshop Application Form
Technical problems with the form? Email j.bradley.baker@musiconsite.org.
First Consideration Deadline: September 15, 2026
Final Submission Deadline: October 1, 2026 @ 11:59 PM CDT
All applicants will be notified of the status of their audition by October 15, 2026
Applying is free and completely online. No in-person auditions are required.
OVERVIEW
Led by Mo. Robert Kahn (Great Falls Symphony Music Director, Chicago Symphony Orchestra Assistant Conductor; former cover conductor with the New York Philharmonic and Philadelphia Orchestra; Curtis Conducting Fellow; Academy of Vocal Arts) and Mo. J. Bradley Baker (The Glimmerglass Festival; Maryland Opera Studio), the MOSI Opera Conducting Workshop provides emerging and early-career conductors with a unique opportunity to develop practical opera conducting skills in a professional, immersive environment.
Participants receive substantial podium time with both orchestra and singers, including conducting a portion of a live performance of the 2026 Mainstage Production. The program also offers hands-on experience leading staging rehearsals and serving as a shared assistant conductor for the 2026 Mainstage Production. Designed for conductors ready to advance their operatic training, the workshop focuses on refining conducting technique, strengthening collaborative work with singers, and deepening musical and dramatic interpretation.
A complete list of workshop benefits is provided below.
2026 SEASON
Mainstage Productions for Conducting Workshop:
Mozart: Die Zauberflöte (sung in German with English dialogue)
Workshop Dates:
December 10-20, 2026
Location:
Duerksen Fine Arts Center
Wichita State University
2102 N. Hillside Street
Wichita, Kansas
Questions?
Email info@MusicOnSite.org
FACULTY MENTORS
Dutch-American conductor ROBERT KAHN is known for his clarity, versatility, and command of both operatic and symphonic repertoire. A recipient of the Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award, he currently works closely with the singers and creative teams at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, where he recently led performances of Così fan tutte and prepared new productions for the 2024–2025 season. Kahn completed the Conducting Fellowship at the Curtis Institute of Music, where he was mentored by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Since then, he has built strong relationships with major orchestras across North America. Robert has collaborated with several of the world’s leading orchestras, serving as cover conductor for the Philadelphia Orchestra, Chicago Symphony, and the New York Philharmonic. In the summer of 2024, he joined the New York Philharmonic on tour in Vail and Asia, and was recently invited by the Rotterdam Philharmonic to assist Yannick Nézet-Séguin on a major European tour of Wagner’s Die Walküre. As a guest conductor, Robert conducted the Mannes School of Music’s (Un)Silent Film production featuring Metropolis in concert, as well as Music On Site’s production of Don Giovanni. In the 2024–2025 season, Robert returned to the Mannes School of Music to conduct a contemporary opera and led Così fan tutte with the Academy of Vocal Arts, made his subscription debut with the Marin Symphony in California, served as cover conductor for Opera Philadelphia’s production of Don Giovanni, and returned to cover several programs with the New York Philharmonic.
American conductor and coach J. BRADLEY BAKER enjoys a versatile career as a conductor, collaborative pianist and coach, educator, and music administrator. As a conductor and coach, Baker has led productions with Opera Naples, Opera Arlington, Chicago Summer Opera, Lawrence Opera Theatre, Opera Seme, Lyric Opera of Orange County, Landlocked Opera, Wichita Grand Opera, Natchez Festival of Music, Opera Birmingham, LOLA-Austin, Tabor College Opera, and University of Alabama Opera Theatre. Baker is the Director of the Maryland Opera Studio at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland; Principal Coach on the Music Staff of The Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown, New York; and is Co-Founding Executive & Music Director of Music On Site. As a collaborative pianist and chamber musician, Baker has collaborated with many of the world's leading opera artists and has performed at many international and national conferences and festivals, including those of the International Double Reed Society, International Women’s Brass Conference, National Trumpet Competition, Hot Springs Music Festival, North American Viola Institute, Ad Astra Music Festival, National Opera Association, ClarinetFest, CollabFest, College Music Society, National Association of College Wind & Percussion Instructors, Music Teachers National Association, and the National Association of Teachers of Singing, among others.
TESTIMONIALS
I know of no other conducting workshop where students are treated with such care, equality, and professionalism. From Robert’s guidance both on and off the podium to the generous amount of podium time we received, I gained new insights into the art of collaboration, teamwork, and leadership. I am truly grateful for the level of trust and confidence that Robert and the rest of the MOSI team instilled in us. They showed that everyone deserves a chance, regardless of where they are in their education, and ensured that each participant had the opportunity to share the stage with the maestro and meaningfully grow through hands-on experience. Personally, MOSI was a bright ten-day experience that renewed and rekindled not only my love for conducting and music-making, but also my enjoyment of music itself.
- Giang Vo, 2025 participant
The MOSI Opera Conducting Workshop was impactful, inspiring, and student-centered. Between performances, dress rehearsals, lab sessions, and staging, participants receive an exceptional amount of podium time (exceeding the totals in the program description), and sessions with the orchestra felt like we had struck the perfect balance between helpful feedback and experiential learning. We also had the opportunity to meet and work with wonderful colleagues with incredibly diverse backgrounds and prior experience, and it was so gratifying to see meaningful progress from every person over the course of the workshop. In just ten days, I feel that I am coming away with a semester (or more!) worth of growth in gestural communication, interpretive insight, and best practices in preparing operatic works for performance. I am so grateful to have had this experience and highly recommend applying!
- Ryan Rogers, 2025 participant
I would recommend MOSI to any of my conducting colleagues! Fantastic faculty, singers, orchestra members, and fellow conductors made the experience worthwhile both professionally and personally.
- Katie Noelker, 2025 participant
Conducting an opera is about far more than leading a performance. It involves sing-throughs, staging rehearsals, technical rehearsals, and sitzprobes—each requiring intensive preparation and fostering a close working relationship between conductors and singers. MOSI offers a unique opportunity for young, aspiring conductors to experience every stage of the operatic production process, providing invaluable hands-on training that is difficult to find elsewhere in the region.
- Gordon Cheung, 2025 participant
PROGRAM DETAILS
Benefits of the workshop:
- Improve techniques of opera conducting through sessions with orchestra and singers
- Permission to record your own conducting in all sessions, including performances (BYO recording equipment).
- Learn the elements of assisting on an opera production
- Guided coaching sessions with singers and piano, focusing on repertoire that participants will conduct.
- Sessions with Mo. Robert Kahn, J. Bradley Baker, and MOSI Artistic Director Jen Stephenson on opera score study, interpretations, rehearsal preparation, audition and job advice, coaching techniques, Italian and German lyric diction, and vocal fach system
- Individual video review sessions with Mo. Kahn
Podium time: participants will have at least 80 minutes each of video-recorded podium time with orchestra and singers, including approximately 30 minutes in performance. In addition, under the supervision and guidance of Mo. Robert Kahn, participants will have at least 60 minutes conducting staging rehearsals with piano as well as 60 minutes of lab sessions (string orchestra plus piano), with a focus on conducting technique and accompanying singers (including conducting accompanied recitative).
Seminar: Mo. Kahn will lead discussions on operatic score study, interpretation, rehearsal preparation and strategy, preparing for auditions, applying to jobs, working with singers and stage directors, and host open discussions. In addition to these group sessions, there will be one-on-one time with Mo. Kahn for video review feedback. Included are also sessions with Music Director J. Bradley Baker (coaching techniques, style guides, Italian and German lyric diction) and Artistic Director Jen Stephenson (opera history, vocal fachs).
Hands-on experience: In addition to conducting labs, participants will each have a chance to conduct staging rehearsals and assist Mo. Kahn on Die Zauberflöte.
TUITION AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Apply before September 15: $1,200
Apply before October 1: $1,400
Auditor: $600 (Everything except podium time)
$600 deposit due on acceptance
November 15 - Final Payment deadline
Forms of payment available: Venmo or Credit Card (via secure online form)
AUDITION SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
2-3 YouTube video recordings of conducting samples
- Recording should clearly show the conductor.
- Large ensemble preferred, but small ensemble or even piano will be considered
Detailed resume
Headshot for publicity purposes
Contact information for one professional reference (can be major professor)
Click here for the Conducting Workshop Application Form
Technical problems with the form? Email j.bradley.baker@musiconsite.org.
First Consideration Deadline: September 15, 2026
Final Submission Deadline: October 1, 2026 @ 11:59 PM CDT
All applicants will be notified of the status of their audition by October 15, 2026
Applying is free and completely online. No in-person auditions are required.
ABOUT MUSIC ON SITE, INC.
Our Mission:
Music On Site, Inc. is a non-profit organization based in Central Kansas with a mission of increasing the accessibility of music throughout Kansas by producing engaging performances in unique spaces. It partners with other organizations and cultural entities to create musical productions in some of Kansas’ most interesting, beautiful, and historic locations.
As part of its mission, Music On Site, Inc. develops performance opportunities in Kansas for musicians both from the region and without, which strengthens Kansas’ reputation within the arts community as a place on the cutting edge of music making and performance art.
Another goal of Music On Site’s work is to engage with Kansas schools, colleges, and educational organizations to strengthen the connection between Kansas’ students and emerging artists with the vibrant world of professional music.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:
At Music On Site, Inc., we are committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and we are an equal opportunity employer. MOSI will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. We are committed to eliminating barriers to access and equity and see a diverse workforce as a key step toward this goal. We invite you to join us on our journey.
Music On Site, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) organization. The company has no paid staff, and all donations are tax-deductible and directly fund the productions.