Testimonials
Lisa is a prime example of a collaborative artist. As the lead role in "Adam's Run," she brought her extensive knowledge of new music throughout every step of the process, from our first discussions about singability, to the final notes of our (sold out!) performances. She is a person-first artist, supporting colleagues in every step of the opera process including our composer and librettist, administration, stage crew, and collaborating musicians. Always kind, always generous, always ready to get down to the core of artistic work. Lisa brings narrative, music, and performance to life.
--Danielle Jagelski, conductor
--Danielle Jagelski, conductor
Lisa Neher was an encouraging clinician for our PPS Solo & Ensemble Festival. She was able to deliver exactly the right feedback in a way that was clear, helpful and empowering. Students left feeling clear about the path forward and also about encouraged in what they are doing well already. I would highly recommend booking Lisa to work with your students!
– Lisa Riffel, Choir Director, Lincoln High School, Portland OR, Assistant Director, Oregon Repertory Singers
– Lisa Riffel, Choir Director, Lincoln High School, Portland OR, Assistant Director, Oregon Repertory Singers
Composer, mezzo soprano and educator Lisa Neher is a triple threat when bringing to life a new opera character, as shown when she played Dana Daring in Renegade Opera's production of Adam's Run in 2023. It was clear to me how thoughtfully Lisa had prepared for this maniacal role, bringing to the stage her keen insight and experience as a composer and also someone who frequently coaches composers about how to write effectively for the voice. Her skill set is ideal for bringing new operas to life!
--Ruby Fulton, Composer
--Ruby Fulton, Composer
Lisa Neher is every director's dream in the rehearsal room: Generous, professional, and deeply collaborative. As a performer, Lisa pays detailed attention to source material, informing bold, exciting, and well-supported choices on stage. As a collaborator, Lisa models values of transparency and care, fostering an open environment for all to thrive in their artistry!
--Melory Mirashrafi, Director
--Melory Mirashrafi, Director
Lisa’s session helped take my goals and break them down into clear and practical steps. A composer with the heart of a teacher, she is a wonderful guide through what can sometimes be a nebulous artistic landscape.
--Michael Needham, Composer
--Michael Needham, Composer
I approached Lisa after seeing her work on Twitter, as I felt I was ready to evolve my career but ultimately unsure of how and where to start. Lisa is hugely supportive and encouraging, and this made it feel much easier to try new ways of working, sharing my work and taking creative risks. I had a number of breakthroughs during the process, which included realising the impact of my own perfectionism, identifying new skills I wanted to learn for dream projects and learning to write and talk about my own work in an authentic way. A particular high point for me was working towards an EP release of songs and chamber works, a project that had been in the back of my mind for a long time but that had felt overwhelming previously. As a result of the experience, I feel I have a greater sense of my own agency in my own career and now have new ways of working that actively support me in creating the type of work I am most passionate about. If you're looking to make a meaningful shift in your practice as a composer then Lisa is a wonderful person to explore this with.
--Chloe, Composer
--Chloe, Composer
- Lisa makes a virtual teaching space feel like you're with her in person and like, in spite of the digital barriers, she really sees you.
- When I felt stuck, Lisa was great at brainstorming with me for new solutions, examples, and ideas.
- One of Lisa's strengths in teaching composition is helping people organize their thoughts in coherent ways so that their creativity isn't hindered by clutter.
Working with Lisa Neher was such a pleasure. She was so responsive to my ideas about the music I commissioned. Lisa truly heard me and understand what I wanted. The three pieces she composed—in the usual spoken-word genre—worked well both for me and for my pianist. Lisa treated the poetry sensitively, surrounding it with beautiful music. Weeks after the premiere of Upon a Broken World, audience members continued to remind me how moved they had been by Lisa’s compositions.
—Marian Wilson Kimber of Red Vespa
—Marian Wilson Kimber of Red Vespa
I appreciate the level of thought and musicality Dr. Neher puts into her compositions. She is a master of painting an image with her music; from the shrill call of the Gulper to the text painting of Three Basho Haikus. The way she brings music to life in a tangible, emotional, and intellectual way is truly unique among other composers. After our collaboration, I feel reinvigorated in my passion for both composition and the music people create!
-Nathan Kitrell, Harmonium President, Morningside University
-Nathan Kitrell, Harmonium President, Morningside University
Working with Lisa was an invigorating and inspirational experience that demonstrated what it truly means to be a musician. Her knowledge of composition and understanding of musicality truly makes her stand out from others.
-Olyvia Selby, Harmonium Secretary, Morningside University
-Olyvia Selby, Harmonium Secretary, Morningside University
I am extremely grateful to have gotten to work with Dr. Neher. She was a great communicator and had a lot of new ideas to discuss with us young composers. She made time to answer all of our questions about her work and some of her own work. Her compositions were enlightening and inspiring for our own work. Working with Dr. Neher made me excited to get back to work on my own compositions and more appreciative of our composing group at school.
-Paige Kolk, Harmonium Head of Advertising, Morningside University
-Paige Kolk, Harmonium Head of Advertising, Morningside University
Dr. Lisa Neher was very insightful on her compositions and was very passionate with her answers. It was amazing to hear the thought processes behind her works and where her inspirations came from. I also learned about the gulper fish from her composition on the creature. She is very knowledgeable of her craft and is passionate to share about her journey!
-Abby Lincoln, Morningside University
-Abby Lincoln, Morningside University
Dr. Neher, thank you for zooming with us this past month. I enjoyed getting to talk to an actual composer. Your pieces definitely inspired me, especially The Gulper. I just think that it is so crazy that that fish exists. But once again, thank you so much for zooming with us. I wish you the best in the future, and I hope that we can stay connect!
-Noah Potterf, Harmonium Head of Outreach, Morningside University
-Noah Potterf, Harmonium Head of Outreach, Morningside University
She explained her composition process in a way for us beginning composers to understand. I enjoyed our meeting with her!
-Katie Pottebaum, Harmonium Head of Revisions, Morningside University
-Katie Pottebaum, Harmonium Head of Revisions, Morningside University
Thank you for taking your time in order to zoom in and talk to our group. I really enjoyed the insight you gave into your compositions and how you went about writing them. You have opened up news ways to composing that I have not really heard about, specifically writing different time signatures in order for a note to be a certain time. Thank you yet again for your knowledge and insight into the composition world.
-Andy Schertz, Harmonium Treasurer, Morningside University
-Andy Schertz, Harmonium Treasurer, Morningside University
Dr. Lisa Neher was incredibly inspirational to me as a young composer. The pieces she shared with us were wonderful, and she gave me very impactful advice that I will take with me on my journey to become a successful composer!
-Emily Cunningham, Harmonium Vice President, Morningside University
-Emily Cunningham, Harmonium Vice President, Morningside University