Private Lessons
Because of COVID-19, all lessons will be online, either through Zoom or Google Meet, whichever is preferred. In-Person lessons will resume when it is safe to do so. Students of all ages, skills, and interests are welcome!
While I recommend that lessons occur on a weekly basis, lessons can be scheduled every other week. For most students, lessons will be structured in a two-part format consisting of:
1. A weekly exercise: small-scale compositions, usually adhering to a set of strict guidelines, meant to work the composer's creativity and encourage out-of-the-box thinking.
2. Continuing work: A composition which the composer will spend more time on, over the course of several lessons we will analyze,
discuss, and deconstruct the composition. I will offer my observations and suggestions and we can discuss ideas together.
I typically charge $40 for an hour long lesson, however if pricing is an issue, I am open to discussion, let’s talk. The first lesson is always free. As this is my career, I expect payments to be made in a timely manner. In return, I will be prompt and timely to arrive at lessons on time, will make sure lesson time is spent wisely, will ensure that lessons end at the correct time, and promise to put in the necessary amount of personal preparatory time needed for each students’ lesson.
My thoughts on teaching music composition:
While I recommend that lessons occur on a weekly basis, lessons can be scheduled every other week. For most students, lessons will be structured in a two-part format consisting of:
1. A weekly exercise: small-scale compositions, usually adhering to a set of strict guidelines, meant to work the composer's creativity and encourage out-of-the-box thinking.
2. Continuing work: A composition which the composer will spend more time on, over the course of several lessons we will analyze,
discuss, and deconstruct the composition. I will offer my observations and suggestions and we can discuss ideas together.
I typically charge $40 for an hour long lesson, however if pricing is an issue, I am open to discussion, let’s talk. The first lesson is always free. As this is my career, I expect payments to be made in a timely manner. In return, I will be prompt and timely to arrive at lessons on time, will make sure lesson time is spent wisely, will ensure that lessons end at the correct time, and promise to put in the necessary amount of personal preparatory time needed for each students’ lesson.
My thoughts on teaching music composition:
- It is my job as a teacher to encourage the student to compose music and to help them explore new ways of creating, hearing, and experiencing music.
- As a teacher, I have to show the student what questions they should ask of themselves throughout the creative process.
- We each experience music and art in our own way, so rather than offering critiques, I aim to offer suggestions and observations which will allow the student to consider their creativity from a variety of viewpoints.
- I will offer the student advice on how to create a score that looks good, which will in turn, encourage performers to devote more time to a clean performance.
- I will teach strategies for methods of constructing the architecture of a piece of music, techniques for the pre-composition stages, and strategies for working with performers.
- While concert music is my primary focus, I believe techniques and strategies of creating music go past genre and we can all learn from other styles and forms.
- Teaching music is always a balance between offering critiques that are constructive, uplifting, and helpful and letting the student find their own solutions.