Musical Composition for all Levels with a Composer-Conductor

From 96.64 C$ /h

Are you stuck? I can help!

In our composition lessons, we’ll both learn how to get more from basic elements, like pitch and rhythm, and also the things we can do to help make a composition more poetic. We can work on how to get more music from fewer ideas to create a consistent musical language, and also explore the idea of opposites in your compositions, blending and smearing contrasting elements to add depth and complexity to your work.

Through the analysis of great music, the composition of miniatures, and feedback on your current projects, you’ll both increase your technical fluency and simultaneously learn to love and develop your unique voice. This class is for any level of composer, whether you're a beginner or an experienced composer seeking to enhance your creative skills. Don't wait any longer :)

Location

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At student's location :

Around Berlin, Germany

At teacher's location :

Reinickendorfer Straße, Berlin, Germany

Online from Germany

About Me

American Conductor and Composer Stephen has served as Resident Conductor with the Cincinnati Opera, Associate Conductor with the Atlanta Symphony, and Dudamel Conducting Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. 2024-25 season highlights include conducting debuts with Ensemble MusikFabrik, the Filarmonica Transilvania, Junges Sinfonie Orchester Wetzlar, and at the Momentum Festival Berlin, alongside return engagements as a guest conductor at the University of North Texas Opera and as an assistant conductor with the New York Philharmonic. As a composer, Stephen will present a new work with Ensemble MusikFabrik at their studio in Cologne and begin a collaboration with percussionist David Moliner and Universal Edition, culminating in the premiere of a new work at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg in January 2026.

A passionate advocate for contemporary music, Stephen debuted on the New York Philharmonic’s Sound ON Series in 2022 and their 65th Street Session Series in 2023. In demand as a guest conductor, Stephen has led performances with the Dallas Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Gulbenkian Orchestra, Louisiana Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra, National Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, San Antonio Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Sarasota Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, and Virginia Symphony.

Stephen has assisted, prepared stage works, and served as second conductor for many of the world’s top conductors, including Marin Alsop, Karina Canellakis, Gustavo Dudamel, James Gaffigan, Edward Gardner, Manfred Honeck, Jakub Hrůša, Susanna Mälkki, Zubin Mehta, Ludovic Morlot, Peter Oundjian, Matthias Pintscher, David Robertson, Sir Donald Runnicles, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Leonard Slatkin, Robert Spano, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Jaap van Zweden.

As a Dudamel Conducting Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Stephen stepped in for Gustavo Dudamel on short notice to conduct an all-Beethoven program and led other notable performances, including Stravinsky’s complete L’Histoire du Soldat and an All-Ravel Toyota Symphonies for Youth Concert. During his first season as Associate Conductor with the Atlanta Symphony, Stephen stepped in for three classical subscription programs over six weeks to critical acclaim.

A native of Baltimore, Stephen began his violin studies with his father, Gregory, and continued with Kyung Yu at Yale University. His conducting teachers include Gustav Meier at the Peabody Institute, Robert Spano at the Aspen Music Festival, and Arturo Tamayo at the Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana. He has a degree in composition under Jörg Widmann from the Barenboim-Said Akademie in Berlin.

Education

Yale University, Bachelor of the Arts, Violin and Conducting
Peabody Institute, Masters in Music, Orchestral Conducting
Barenboim-Said Akademie (Berlin), Artist Diploma in Composition

Experience / Qualifications

Los Angeles Philharmonic, Dudamel Fellow
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Assistant/Associate Conductor
Cincinnati Opera, Resident Conductor

Age

Children (7-12 years old)

Teenagers (13-17 years old)

Adults (18-64 years old)

Seniors (65+ years old)

Student level

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Duration

60 minutes

90 minutes

120 minutes

The class is taught in

English

German

Skills

Music composition

Reviews

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -05:00)

New York

At teacher's location and via webcam

At student's home

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

00-04

04-08

08-12

12-16

16-20

20-24

Music Theory Lessons for All Levels with a Composer-Conductor

96.64 C$ /h

Let's learn music theory at your own pace! Whether you're just starting out or looking to deepen your existing knowledge, my Music Theory for All Levels course is designed to be flexible. I've taught many topics, from the basics of reading music, college level ear-training, Renaissance and Baroque counterpoint, Classical harmonic analysis, Jazz harmony, and 20th century techniques.

We’ll use your prefered music and instruments (or voice!) to make the learning process relevant and enjoyable. Whether you're a curious beginner, a performer looking to refine your knowledge, or a composer aiming for a deeper dive, this course is for everyone.

Private German Tutoring for Native English Speakers (for levels A1-C1)

96.64 C$ /h

As an American with a C1 Goethe-Institut certificate in German, I understand the long journey of learning this difficult language! I can help you wherever you are on your German path, from the basics to complex grammar, from understanding everyday language to working on your pronunciation.

I have spent time carefully collecting resources that help native English speakers...for example, things that help with speech rhythm and accentuation...which not a lot of teachers teach, but which make a huge difference. In any case, I can custom-tailor our lessons based on your needs.

Joshua

5.0

(1)

This class is for composers, songwriters, arrangers, music producers or anyone who makes music in any way AND wants to understand more of the background about why things work the way they do.

In this masterclass, we will look at a range of topics such as chords and scales, how to improvise, reharmonization, structure and much more to enable you to create music with confidence and the knowledge that helps many musicians around the globe work more efficiently.

Valentin

5.0

(1)

Hello
I'm a musican and music producer and i come from France.

I'm part of differents music la bel in France and i have benn playing in differents bands as a keyboarder.

I've done some professional music studies and i 've been teaching music since 5 years for any kind of level and people.

If you want to discover music and learn it with cool and frindly vibes, just ask me !

Roberto

5.0

(1)

Focusing on the development of own unique voice I will plan a specific program for each student in order to bring him to the next level.
After studying in my youth with bass guitar innovators Matthew Garrison, Dominique Di Piazza, Skuli Sverrisson, at Berklee College of Music and privately with Jazz theory and Improvisation guru Hal Crook and after almost 20 years of playing professionally all around the world with amazing people I ́ve accumulated tons of invaluable lessons ready to be shared with my students.

Alireza

5.0

(1)

• Beginners and advanced
• All ages
• Individual and group lessons
• Preparation for entrance exams
• also possible online

Concert exam (doctorate) - composition
Master - Composition and Piano (Solo, Chamber Music, Song Accompaniment)
Bachelor - Composition and Piano
University of Music `` Franz Liszt '' Weimar, Germany
and Tehran University of the Arts, Iran
offers professional composition, piano and music theory lessons for beginners and advanced as well as for children and adults!

Languages: German, English, Persian

I look forward to your contact:)

Alireza

Francisco

5.0

(1)

Hello!
Alright, I'll break it down into parts. If you look for a more "narrowed description" just scroll down to where I made a list :)

My name is Francisco, and I'm a guitar player from Argentina, currently living in Berlin.
I am very enthusiastic about teaching and sharing the energy to grow musically with my students.
I have taught music for 7 years in schools and privately at home. With private lessons, my aim is to adjust to the student's likes and abilities. I am attentive to the needs and the reasons why someone is wanting to play and learn music. And I try to encourage the curiosity and spirit of making music and not follow what is "considered" that you should learn.

What to expect from the first lesson with me?
To get to know each other. That way I see what you like and what you don't, what you already play, and your learning pace. Probably I can share with you something new already, and from there, we will build a "program" according to what you want your rhythm and time availability. I value singularity and I like to get to know who I teach, so that way I can help them better. It can be first chords and ways of learning new songs, improvisational tools, or pure harmony and theory stuff.
Because everyone is different, for example, if you like Rock I will go in that direction and teach you the elements that make Rock sound like it does and I won't teach you Jazz Harmony, if you like Classical music we will go over the abilities that you have to have to execute this kind of music, the same goes for the styles that I play.

My skills:
I play and have played mainly Fingerstyle Guitar, Jazz, Argentine Tango, Jazz Manouche, Rock, Rockabilly, and Experimental. I have worked a lot playing Bossa Nova at some point. I don't like teaching something that I don't know. So for example, oriental music I couldn't teach. And if we come to a point where I am not helpful anymore, I will say so. What I do like is learning with students, it is often the case that your students teach you new ways of thinking about music and I find that super exciting!

I was lucky to travel a bit of the world playing music with different projects and musicians that I admire, I always did this playing mainly Jazz music. I have played in bars and clubs and theaters in New York, Boston, Buenos Aires, and in different cities around Switzerland, Germany, France, Holland.
I was also part of several orchestras (Jazz, Tango, and Rock) in Argentina and the US.

I teach beginner - intermediate - advanced levels of different topics:
- how to improve technique (right hand and left hand)
- how to improvise (elements of improvisation, vocabulary, phrasing, etc.)
- how to visualize the fretboard
- how to learn songs by ear, and how to read music (or tab)
- how harmony and music theory work
- specific genres such as Jazz, Gypsy Jazz, Bossa Nova, Tango, Rock, and Fingerstyle.

The lessons can be also in German (basic, so you might need a bit of patience with me!), Spanish (that's my mother tongue), or English. They can be at my place (Wedding), all corona safe, or online via Zoom/Skype.

Shoot me a message if you are interested!
All the best,
Francisco

Sarah

5.0

(1)

Hello! my name is Sarah. I have a certificate in Classical Piano Performance. I have years of experience in teaching music in different languages (Arabic, English, German and French).
In 2020 I finished my master's in Music Therapy in Germany. At the end of my studies, I did my research on online music playing and wrote my thesis on music interaction through online platforms which gave me a great deal of experience when it comes to online teaching. In my online lesson, I use several cameras from several angles to give the student the chance to see what I am doing.
My lessons (Live and Online) are fun and very beneficial, and all my students showed fast progress

Sofia

5.0

(1)

In this course you will learn how to compose for images exploring different genres of music (orchestral, electronic, pop and underground music), deepening the softwares and tools for recording, editing, mixing your tracks.

What you will learn:

- How to record, edit, and mix live instruments and MIDI in Ableton Live / Cubase
- How to create custom sounds using a synthesizer and how to integrate those custom sounds for your musical compositions
- How to add effects to your vocals and tracks
- How to compose for images: Film, Documentary, Video Game, Trailer and Advertising

Sam

5.0

(1)

I am an Award Winning Film Music Composer of Short and Feature Length films with distribution on platforms such as Amazon Prime, Apple TV and Sky as well as official selection in over 40 International and Academy Award Qualifying Film Festivals, including Cannes, Hell’s Half Mile (Michigan, US), Los Angeles International Shorts, FilmQuest and Urbanworld (New York, US). My soundtracks are distributed on all major streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, etc) and feature scores composed for electronics, Full Orchestra, small ensembles and genres like 20th Century Orchestral, Minimalism, Motown, Avant Garde, Musique Concrete and many more.

As your piano tutor, I want to teach you how I learnt piano, and show you how to be creative with music, at the very least for enjoyment, but also for any professional aspirations into composition.

I start by familiarising my students with the fundamentals of music at the piano, how the piano is structured, arpeggios, baselines, chord sequences, melody sequences, etc. We take these fundamentals and build sophistication of musicality with a dynamic curriculum.

Lessons are structured by familiarising with musical concepts by a demonstration, playing together, and playing solo in a way that aims to be accessible and sensitive to the student’s sensibilities.

Andy

5.0

(1)

Hello! My name is Andy and I’m a music producer, song writer, audio engineer, live artist, and DJ who has been working with Ableton Live and working in the music industry for over a decade. Im offering an excellent opportunity for aspiring music producers and song writers to learn the fundamentals of song writing/recording and music production, and develop their skills using the Ableton Live software. My personalized teaching approach and flexible schedule make it an ideal choice for beginners and intermediate students looking to advance their song writing and music production skills in the Berlin area.

This class is designed for aspiring music producers who want to learn how to use Ableton Live to create and produce music. The class is suitable for both beginners and intermediate students who are interested in learning the ins and outs of music production, songwriting, and mixing using Ableton Live.

Course Content:
Introduction to Ableton Live software and its interface
Understanding the basics of music theory and composition
Creating a song from scratch (writing/recording/producing)
Recording audio and editing MIDI and audio clips
Working with virtual instruments, effects, and plug-ins
Mixing and mastering your own tracks
Tips and tricks for efficient workflow

Teaching Methodology:
These lessons will be taught in a one-on-one setting to ensure that you get individual attention and personalized feedback. The teaching methodology will be focused on hands-on learning, where students will be given guidance and feedback in the process of creating their own music. Students will also have access to additional learning resources such as video tutorials, articles, plug-ins, and sample packs.

Location and Schedule:
The lessons will be conducted in the Berlin area, either in-person or online based on the student's preference. The schedule can be customized according to the student's availability and can be adjusted to fit their busy schedules.

Requirements:
To enroll in this class, students must have a basic understanding of music and a strong interest in music writing and production. They must also have access to a laptop or desktop computer with Ableton Live software installed.

Parham

5.0

(1)

If you are looking to start or deepen the art of Piano music or you have a passion for composing or you want any help with music theory, I will help you getting started or improve your knowledge in one or more of the following topics:
- beginner to advance Piano lessons
- starting out or further your study of classical composition
- counterpoint, fugue, harmony, forms and etc.
- Score reading and analysis
- Advanced musical composition
- Orchestration and arrangement

Haotian

5.0

(1)

Internationally active composer and music theorist (M.Mus) currently accepting students for the following subjects (online sessions):
-Music theory (basic to college level), including harmony, counterpoint, analysis
-Western music history (medieval to contemporary), music appreciation
-Composition, music notation (software + score preparation), electronic music, university application portfolio feedback and general application advising
-English (for academic writing)

Cassie

5.0

(1)

Hi, I’m Cassie—a British jazz saxophonist, award-winning composer, and Trinity Laban Conservatoire graduate, now based in Berlin. I’m currently looking for a couple of private saxophone and/or composition students who are keen to develop their skills in a supportive and engaging environment.

Saxophone Lessons:

With a strong background in Jazz and improvised music, I offer saxophone lessons tailored to each student’s needs—whether you’re preparing for ABRSM or Royal College exams (or other equivalent examination boards), exploring jazz improvisation, or just playing for fun. As a performer, I’ve played at major festivals and venues across the UK, USA & Europe such as Glastonbury Festival (UK, SXSW (USA) and Paris Jazz Festival (FR). I am still active as a touring band-leader/artist and I bring that real-world experience into my teaching.

Composition Lessons:

As a classical composer, my work spans orchestral, chamber, and jazz ensemble writing, with commissions from leading arts organisations and orchestras - recent commissions include the London Symphony Orchestra and BBC Philharmonic. My lessons focus on notation, orchestration, and arranging—whether you’re composing for small ensembles or larger-scale works. I hold a BMus Hons degree in composition from Trinity Laban Conservatoire (London) where I studied with American composer Stephen Montague and British composer Andrew Poppy.

Composition lessons I am able to teach both in-person and online via Zoom.

If you're interested or have any questions, feel free to get in touch!

Looking forward to making music with you! 🎷🎼

Yaniv

5.0

(1)

I’m Yaniv, a classical guitarist and guitar teacher with over 12 years of playing experience and 7 years of teaching experience.

In my lessons, we focus on enjoying the guitar — building skills, confidence, and a love for the music you play.
We can work together on proper technique, reading notation and tabs, playing songs or classical pieces, improvisation, ear training, rhythm, and music theory — all tailored to your personal goals and level.

I understand every student’s journey, because I’ve been there myself. I started learning on my own, and only when I found great teachers did I realize how much professional guidance can make a real difference.

That’s why I design a personalized learning plan for each student, helping them progress in the best and most enjoyable way possible.

I truly love teaching and guiding students through their musical journeys.
For me, it feels like a calling — a way to pass on the rich traditions and knowledge I’ve received from the great teachers I’ve studied with closely over the years.

Each student is a whole world to me. I believe that every person has a unique musical voice, and my goal is to help them discover and develop it.
Teaching is always a two-way process — I keep learning and growing from every student I work with.

Neli

5.0

(1)

Are you interested in developing your musical creativity through contemporary composition and experimental sound art? Improving your piano technique, deepening your understanding of music theory?
Or improving your speaking skills in Georgian and Russian languages from a native speaker?

I offer personalized lessons for beginners to advanced students, who want to grow artistically or academically.

What I teach:

Music Composition – guidance with structure, harmony, orchestration, notation, and creative development.
Sound Art / Experimental Music – sound exploration, field recording, editing, conceptual work, and project coaching.
Classical Piano – technique, repertoire, interpretation, sight-reading, expression.
Music Theory & Ear Training – harmony, counterpoint, analysis, rhythm, solfege.

Georgian Language – conversation, speaking exercises

Matias

5.0

(1)

This class introduces the core concepts of film scoring and how music shapes story, emotion, and narrative in film and television. Students will learn how to support and move images through music, exploring timing, mood, theme, and structure. Lessons are tailored to each student’s interests and level, from complete beginners to advanced composers, and can focus on electronic, orchestral, or hybrid approaches.

The course also includes analysis and deconstruction of existing film scores to understand compositional techniques and storytelling strategies. Students will learn how to set up and optimize their digital audio workstation for film scoring, define personal creative goals, and work with industry-standard orchestral sample libraries and synthesizers such as Spitfire Audio, Orchestral Tools, and Cinematic Studio Series. Films with sound design and no music can be provided for hands-on scoring exercises, enabling practical experience working directly to picture.