About the College of Music
Why Opus was Created
Opus Colorado was created from a simple observation: artistic development extends beyond the lesson studio.
Traditional music instruction often focuses almost exclusively on repertoire and technique. While those remain essential, today's professional musicians also benefit from physical preparation, thoughtful career development, and individualized mentorship that reflects the realities of a modern performing career.
Opus was designed to bring these elements together in a focused educational model: one that values depth over volume, quality over scale, and meaningful artistic growth over unnecessary complexity.
Our online model wasn't designed to replace traditional music education; it was designed to expand possibilities.
By removing geographic limitations, students can study with high-level performers and educators while continuing to perform, teach, and build their careers where they live. This approach preserves the individualized mentorship central to Opus while providing access to exceptional faculty regardless of location.
Your First Week at Opus
What happens after you enroll at Opus Colorado?
Your program begins with a structured onboarding process. During this process, you will begin the musical, strategic, and physical parts of your program.
Meet With the Artistic Director
You will first meet individually with the Artistic Director. You will discuss your musical goals, current schedule, practice habits, and upcoming performance plans.
Together, you will look at how you are using your time and attention. You will also identify which habits support your goals and which ones may need to change. This meeting helps establish the priorities for your individual course of study.
Begin Your Required Readings
You will receive a series of required books and readings to complete throughout the program. These materials introduce practical ideas related to decision-making, time management, focused work, professional development, and performance preparation.
You will also learn basic principles related to nervous-system regulation and the thought patterns that can affect practice, learning, and performance under pressure.
The goal is not simply to add more work to your schedule. It is to help you use your time and effort more effectively.
Establish Your Physical Program
You will meet individually with a licensed personal trainer. Your trainer will help you create a personalized fitness plan for strength, mobility, nutrition, recovery, and injury resilience.
Physical fitness supports concentration, learning, endurance, and the physical demands of playing an instrument. Your plan will be based on your current needs, abilities, and performance goals.
Begin Your Applied Study
You will connect with your applied faculty member to schedule lessons, review repertoire, and establish your first musical priorities.
Your instruction will be shaped around your current level and goals, including any upcoming auditions, competitions, or performances.
By the end of onboarding, you will have a clear musical direction, a personalized physical program, and practical tools for organizing your work throughout the term.
These are not separate parts of the Opus experience. They work together as one complete approach to performance development.
Outcomes
Opus is designed to produce more than short-term improvement in lessons or repertoire. By the end of the program, students are equipped with stronger performance skills and a repeatable process for continued development.
Students complete the program with:
- A stronger and more individual artistic voice, developed through focused study and individualized mentorship.
- A clear process for preparing repertoire, organizing practice, and working toward major performance goals.
- A personalized approach to strength, mobility, nutrition, and recovery that supports the physical demands of playing.
- A polished video portfolio for auditions, competitions, graduate study, and other professional opportunities.
- Greater confidence in performing under pressure and making thoughtful decisions about future training and career opportunities.
- A Performance Certificate or Artist Diploma issued by a Colorado state-authorized institution.
A Message From the Artistic Director
Choosing the next step in your musical development is a personal decision. It should not begin with pressure or a sales pitch.
As a professional performing musician, I have seen the difference between what may sound valuable in theory and what actually helps a musician improve, perform under pressure, and build a sustainable career. Opus Colorado was developed from the ground up as a performance-centered institution. Every part of the curriculum is intended to serve the real demands of becoming a stronger and more complete musician.
Opus Colorado is intentionally small. Our faculty maintain active performing and teaching careers, and enrollment is limited. Our goal is not to convince every musician to attend. It is to identify students who value our approach and are ready to take an active role in their development.
That approach extends beyond lessons and repertoire. Opus asks students to examine how they practice, manage their time, prepare physically, respond to pressure, and make professional decisions. These are not additional subjects included simply to make the program appear more comprehensive. They are practical skills that directly support learning, preparation, and performance.
This work requires curiosity, consistent effort, and a willingness to develop new habits. For the right student, it can become an important part of reaching a larger artistic or professional goal. For someone seeking lessons alone, Opus may not be the right fit; and that is completely okay.
If Opus interests you but you are unsure whether it is the right fit, you are welcome to contact me directly. I can provide a clearer picture of the program, answer your questions, and learn more about what you hope to accomplish. There is no expectation to apply. The goal is simply to determine whether Opus offers the kind of training and support you are seeking.
We want every student who joins Opus to understand the commitment, recognize its value, and feel ready to engage fully.
Michael Brook
Dean & Artistic Director