Composition Lessons

I cultivate my students’ musicianship by teaching: understanding, mindful practice, and authentic creativity

• creativity skills

• music notation (by hand and on computers)

• listening to a wide and diverse range of music
  analysis of music

• score reading skills

• learning how to write for instruments and the human voice

As a composition teacher, I design lessons to help students reach their own artistic goals while giving them the tools (technique) to truly create the music they want to make. I teach students to compose in a variety of styles, including classical, modern, film music, video game music, as well as popular styles. Studying composition includes many different topics that all directly support developing and communicating music fully. These skills include:

Students will learn these skills during lessons and through their own work, which includes composition projects, short composition exercises, listening homework, readings, and live concert experiences. My composition students in middle and high school participate in the Young Composers Project here in Portland, have performances by the Metropolitan Youth Symphony, and I help arrange performances of all of my students’ music at other times, as well.

Lessons are weekly or every other week at the same day and time and last for 60, 75, or 90 minutes depending on the needs of the student. Please read my studio policy for more information, including tuition rates.

If you are interested in studying with me or learning more, please contact me to schedule an initial trial lesson. I look forward to hearing from you!

Check out some of my compositions here:

Location

Lessons take place in my home studio and online via Zoom.

14418 SE Ellis St
Portland, OR 97236