Composition Lessons
Music Composition
In composition lessons, I provide a wide array of instruction on technical and creative processes used in writing music. I help students find their voice in film music and concert music idioms. I introduce my students to a wide array of techniques developed by historic and modern composers.
Through developing deep understanding of melody, harmony, rhythm, form, and orchestration, my students gain tools to directly apply to their original music. My students write music for a wide array of instrumentations including concert band, orchestra, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments. I also help my students refine their compositional voices in writing film music.
During lessons we discuss the creative process, and learn patterns used by master composers. My experience studying music composition at the University of Michigan has equipped me with a wide array of knowledge in contemporary classical music. For more information on my own music, view My Music page here.
Master Music Software
As an experienced recording engineer, I have recorded over 100 live concerts and can teach you the tricks of the trade. I can teach fluency in a variety of music software, including Sibelius, Finale, Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Studio One, Reason, Audacity, GarageBand, and others. I'm happy to help guide you through setting up your own home studio. I have experience teaching students how to set up microphones in studio and home studio settings. I can teach you how to perfect your home microphone set up and master your DAW software.
Song
I've taught Songwriting courses as Band Director at the Swain School (Allentown, PA) and Music Department Head at Camp Laurel (Readfield, ME). I enjoy the chance to teach songwriters and to workshop songs. I have experience teaching a variety of techniques of connecting words and music to create prosody in songwriting.
Curious to hear music from my students? Visit the From My Students page here.
Influences
I draw upon a wide array of musical influences, grounded in the Western classical music and jazz traditions. Historic composers I teach include Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Gershwin, and Copland; composers today I admire include Arvo Pärt, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Caroline Shaw, Louis Andriessen, Julia Wolfe, Bryce Dessner, and myriad others. I'll introduce you to music recorded by top contemporary music ensembles like Kronos Quartet, Bang On A Can, Roomful Of Teeth, Eighth Blackbird, and Alarm Will Sound. For more information on how I incorporate jazz into my teaching practice, see my trumpet lessons page here.
In composition lessons, I provide a wide array of instruction on technical and creative processes used in writing music. I help students find their voice in film music and concert music idioms. I introduce my students to a wide array of techniques developed by historic and modern composers.
Through developing deep understanding of melody, harmony, rhythm, form, and orchestration, my students gain tools to directly apply to their original music. My students write music for a wide array of instrumentations including concert band, orchestra, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments. I also help my students refine their compositional voices in writing film music.
During lessons we discuss the creative process, and learn patterns used by master composers. My experience studying music composition at the University of Michigan has equipped me with a wide array of knowledge in contemporary classical music. For more information on my own music, view My Music page here.
Master Music Software
As an experienced recording engineer, I have recorded over 100 live concerts and can teach you the tricks of the trade. I can teach fluency in a variety of music software, including Sibelius, Finale, Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Studio One, Reason, Audacity, GarageBand, and others. I'm happy to help guide you through setting up your own home studio. I have experience teaching students how to set up microphones in studio and home studio settings. I can teach you how to perfect your home microphone set up and master your DAW software.
Song
I've taught Songwriting courses as Band Director at the Swain School (Allentown, PA) and Music Department Head at Camp Laurel (Readfield, ME). I enjoy the chance to teach songwriters and to workshop songs. I have experience teaching a variety of techniques of connecting words and music to create prosody in songwriting.
Curious to hear music from my students? Visit the From My Students page here.
Influences
I draw upon a wide array of musical influences, grounded in the Western classical music and jazz traditions. Historic composers I teach include Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Gershwin, and Copland; composers today I admire include Arvo Pärt, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Caroline Shaw, Louis Andriessen, Julia Wolfe, Bryce Dessner, and myriad others. I'll introduce you to music recorded by top contemporary music ensembles like Kronos Quartet, Bang On A Can, Roomful Of Teeth, Eighth Blackbird, and Alarm Will Sound. For more information on how I incorporate jazz into my teaching practice, see my trumpet lessons page here.