Music Composition, Harmony and Orchestration – From Concept to Score
From 31.65 C$ /h
In my lessons, we work deeply on harmonic analysis, counterpoint, and musical structure across the full spectrum of academic music from all historical periods, as well as jazz and popular music. A central pillar of the classes is the analysis of composers, which we approach as an essential tool for understanding musical language and developing a personal creative voice. Depending on the student’s interests, analysis may range from Mozart to Debussy, or from Beethoven to Bartók, among many others.
A strong emphasis is placed on counterpoint from all historical periods. I assist students with conservatory-level exercises, and we study contrapuntal techniques through the analysis and practice of Bach’s inventions and fugues, Renaissance counterpoint, and 20th-century contrapuntal approaches.
In composition classes, the content is fully adapted to the student’s creative needs and goals. The focus is on developing practical creative tools that support original thinking, with the clear objective of composing original pieces of short, medium, and long duration, tailored to each student’s artistic direction.
For orchestration, we explore writing techniques for a wide range of ensembles, including chamber music, full orchestra, and popular music formations such as quartets, quintets, big band, and tango orchestras. Particular attention is given to instrumental color, balance, articulation, and idiomatic writing.
As an Argentinian composer and educator, I offer a specialized perspective on tango, including in-depth analysis of composers such as Astor Piazzolla, as well as composition and orchestration techniques related to tango. Due to the geographical and cultural proximity, I also offer classes focused on Bossa Nova, exploring its harmonic language, rhythmic structures, and stylistic characteristics.
Lessons are suitable for students at different levels, from beginners to advanced musicians, and are tailored to individual academic, professional, or creative goals.
A strong emphasis is placed on counterpoint from all historical periods. I assist students with conservatory-level exercises, and we study contrapuntal techniques through the analysis and practice of Bach’s inventions and fugues, Renaissance counterpoint, and 20th-century contrapuntal approaches.
In composition classes, the content is fully adapted to the student’s creative needs and goals. The focus is on developing practical creative tools that support original thinking, with the clear objective of composing original pieces of short, medium, and long duration, tailored to each student’s artistic direction.
For orchestration, we explore writing techniques for a wide range of ensembles, including chamber music, full orchestra, and popular music formations such as quartets, quintets, big band, and tango orchestras. Particular attention is given to instrumental color, balance, articulation, and idiomatic writing.
As an Argentinian composer and educator, I offer a specialized perspective on tango, including in-depth analysis of composers such as Astor Piazzolla, as well as composition and orchestration techniques related to tango. Due to the geographical and cultural proximity, I also offer classes focused on Bossa Nova, exploring its harmonic language, rhythmic structures, and stylistic characteristics.
Lessons are suitable for students at different levels, from beginners to advanced musicians, and are tailored to individual academic, professional, or creative goals.
Extra information
bring your own laptot, music software (Sibelius, Finale, Musescore)
Location
Online from Argentina
About Me
Nicolás Posternak (Lanús, Buenos Aires, December 21, 1982) is a composer, pianist, bassist, and music educator. He studied with Luis Arias, Luciano Sardo, Osvaldo Suárez, and Guillo Espel. He holds a Degree in Composition and Piano from the Julián Aguirre Conservatory, and a Degree in Bass Performance from EMPA (Escuela de Música Popular de Avellaneda).
His artistic activity spans both academic and popular music. In 2023, he released the Latin American jazz album Danza del Gallinal. In the academic field, he has developed an extensive compositional career, receiving the First Prize at the 70th Anniversary Composition Competition of the Julián Aguirre Conservatory for his Piano Trio Chaya Ganesha.
He was a finalist in the Kavala Tango Days International Composition Competition (Greece, 2022) with his work Orilleando la Sal, and received the Third Prize at the Concours International de Composition de Belfort (France, 2022) for his symphonic band work Sosteniendo el Sol.
In 2025, he worked as orchestrator for the Broadway musical comedy The Passion of Miss De Marco by composer Felix Graham (Unemployed Stenographer, New York). That same year, his tango for chamber sextet Fiu Fiu was premiered in Montevideo, Uruguay, performed by Sexteto Bailable as part of a tango concert series organized by SULOV.
As an arranger, he has collaborated with La Trúa Tango (Argentina), Wordsmith / Baltimore Orchestra (USA), Jukebox Clarinet Quartet (Slovenia), among others. He is currently a Harmony Piano instructor at the Julián Aguirre Conservatory.
His artistic activity spans both academic and popular music. In 2023, he released the Latin American jazz album Danza del Gallinal. In the academic field, he has developed an extensive compositional career, receiving the First Prize at the 70th Anniversary Composition Competition of the Julián Aguirre Conservatory for his Piano Trio Chaya Ganesha.
He was a finalist in the Kavala Tango Days International Composition Competition (Greece, 2022) with his work Orilleando la Sal, and received the Third Prize at the Concours International de Composition de Belfort (France, 2022) for his symphonic band work Sosteniendo el Sol.
In 2025, he worked as orchestrator for the Broadway musical comedy The Passion of Miss De Marco by composer Felix Graham (Unemployed Stenographer, New York). That same year, his tango for chamber sextet Fiu Fiu was premiered in Montevideo, Uruguay, performed by Sexteto Bailable as part of a tango concert series organized by SULOV.
As an arranger, he has collaborated with La Trúa Tango (Argentina), Wordsmith / Baltimore Orchestra (USA), Jukebox Clarinet Quartet (Slovenia), among others. He is currently a Harmony Piano instructor at the Julián Aguirre Conservatory.
Education
He studied with Luis Arias, Luciano Sardo, Osvaldo Suárez, and Guillo Espel. He holds a Degree in Composition and Piano from the Julián Aguirre Conservatory, and a Degree in Bass Performance from EMPA (Escuela de Música Popular de Avellaneda).
Experience / Qualifications
Third Prize at the Concours International de Composition de Belfort (France, 2022) for his symphonic band work Sosteniendo el Sol.
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
The class is taught in
English
Spanish
Skills
Availability of a typical week
(GMT -05:00)
New York
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
00-04
04-08
08-12
12-16
16-20
20-24
Good-fit Instructor Guarantee