As a composition teacher, I design lessons to help students reach their own artistic goals by giving them the tools (techniques) 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. Throughout this process, I cultivate students’ musicianship by teaching understanding, mindful practice, and authentic creativity.

Studying composition includes many different topics that all directly support learning to develop and communicate music fully. These skills include:

• 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

Students will learn these skills during lessons and through their own work outside lessons, 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, and have performances by the local Metropolitan Youth Symphony. I help to organize 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 see my Studio Details for more information, including tuition rates.

If you are interested in studying with me or learning more, please sign up for an initial lesson. If you have further questions, please email me at chopinois@gmail.com or see the FAQs page. I look forward to hearing from you!