Composing Music For Beginners

I hold a Bachelor's in Music Composition (Wheaton College, '14) and am working toward a Master's in World Arts. This unique combination gives me the analytical and creative tools to help students develop as composers in any genre. I help students set goals for their musical development, and for how their music can positivly impact themselves and others. In order to work toward those goals, I can help students develop skills in the following areas:

- Analysis: notice musical patterns important to the style of music you're creating

- Working with performers: learn how to write for different instruments from people who play them. Develop skills in running rehearsals

- Improving creations: evaluate and improve pieces based on your analysis of the style and performers' comments

- Goal-setting: notice things you want to celebrate about your community, or things you want to change. These could be big or small things. How can your music make a difference?

For many styles of music, you may want to learn how to write it down:

- Dictation: write the music you're hearing or imagining

- Music notation: communicate how the music should sound so performers can easily understand

- Chord charts: these give a sketch of the piece, and are used in many styles

- Music notation software: this allows you to play back an electronic version of what you wrote, and easily and neatly create both a score and parts for performers

I enjoy seeing students grow both as musicians and as individuals. I love enabling them to gain the skills and confidence to continue improving their craft, even if they stop taking lessons. And sharing the joy of music with each other never gets old!