 As an independent conductor, O'Neal was artistic director and conductor of Handel Choir of Baltimore 2004-2013, inaugurating both the Handel Period Instrument Orchestra and Chandos Singers.She co-founded and led the Boston Vocal Artists' Sonique from 2003-2005, served as principal guest conductor of the Hanover Chamber Orchestra 1991-2004, and was guest conductor-in-residence in 1995 of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra Chorale to prepare Berlioz's "La Damnation de Faust".As chorus master for Monadnock Music Festival in Wilton, NH 1994-96, she prepared performances of Gluck’s "Orphée et Eurydice" with period instruments, and Virgil Thompson’s "The Mother of Us All", conducted by James Bolle.