Music Theory and Music Composition.

Composing your own music is so much fun!
STUDENTS: To Register for a theory class or private lessons, CONTACT me now.
Scroll down to find the course you need.
TEACHERS: Does your student need theory? I am ready to team up with you.
CONTACT me to find out more.
All theory classes include aural musicianship, keyboard awareness, and some simple sight-singing (Don't panic.) and jazz/pop harmony cross-referencing. The goal is to make music easier to read, understand and learn. Contact me for details.
Why study music theory and composition with me?
As a university student I studied music theory and composition extensively with well known Canadian composer, Dr. Kenneth Nichols. After graduating with a Masters degree in Music, I began an international career as a music copyist working for many composers including Sophie-Carmen Eckhardt-Gramatte and Maestro Bramwell Tovey. I have helped many students prepare for admittance into the top university music programs and launch careers. Some are well established in the music industry. Check out award-winning producer, arranger and song-writer Arun Charturvedi.
Why study music theory?
In order to be literate in any language, we need to be able to speak it, write down what has been said, and express our thoughts verbally and with the written word. Music is a universal language. Therefore in order to be musically literate we need to be able to play what we see on the page, write down what we hear, learn why music sounds good, and then write down our musical ideas.
Thanks to a dear friend, public school resource teacher Joan Ferris, I learned about the Reading Recovery methodology used to rescue children identified as struggling with reading in first grade in the school system. It struck me that the same principle could be applied to teaching music and I immediately launched an easy to learn music reading system.
Studying theory starts at the first piano lesson as part of that class. But soon, it becomes very apparent that ideally piano time needs to be separated from theory time. Although the two areas are connected, the focus is different. So for optimum learning, class theory participation is encouraged in conjunction with private practical lessons.
STUDENTS: To Register for a theory class or private lessons, CONTACT me now.
Scroll down to find the course you need.
TEACHERS: Does your student need theory? I am ready to team up with you.
CONTACT me to find out more.
All theory classes include aural musicianship, keyboard awareness, and some simple sight-singing (Don't panic.) and jazz/pop harmony cross-referencing. The goal is to make music easier to read, understand and learn. Contact me for details.
Why study music theory and composition with me?
As a university student I studied music theory and composition extensively with well known Canadian composer, Dr. Kenneth Nichols. After graduating with a Masters degree in Music, I began an international career as a music copyist working for many composers including Sophie-Carmen Eckhardt-Gramatte and Maestro Bramwell Tovey. I have helped many students prepare for admittance into the top university music programs and launch careers. Some are well established in the music industry. Check out award-winning producer, arranger and song-writer Arun Charturvedi.
Why study music theory?
In order to be literate in any language, we need to be able to speak it, write down what has been said, and express our thoughts verbally and with the written word. Music is a universal language. Therefore in order to be musically literate we need to be able to play what we see on the page, write down what we hear, learn why music sounds good, and then write down our musical ideas.
Thanks to a dear friend, public school resource teacher Joan Ferris, I learned about the Reading Recovery methodology used to rescue children identified as struggling with reading in first grade in the school system. It struck me that the same principle could be applied to teaching music and I immediately launched an easy to learn music reading system.
Studying theory starts at the first piano lesson as part of that class. But soon, it becomes very apparent that ideally piano time needs to be separated from theory time. Although the two areas are connected, the focus is different. So for optimum learning, class theory participation is encouraged in conjunction with private practical lessons.
Music Theory Rudiments & School Private Music Option Credits
In addition to drawing music, connections are always made to playing and listening. It's fun!
It is recommended that theory is studied from the onset of your practical lessons. If that hasn't happened yet I can easily help you get caught up. High School Credits are available to students completing the co-requisites designated by each provincial/territorial Department of Education. Click here for the credit details in Manitoba. Both Conservatory Canada and RCM offer accredited examinations. Students who wish to take Conservatory Canada examinations and have taken RCM in the past can request transfer of credit to Conservatory Canada.
For more assistance, please contact me.
Scroll down for a complete list of courses. Finally learn how to read music and identify what you hear! Online and in-studio students welcome.
Please contact me for more information and to register for classes or private lessons. Online participation is available.
In addition to drawing music, connections are always made to playing and listening. It's fun!
It is recommended that theory is studied from the onset of your practical lessons. If that hasn't happened yet I can easily help you get caught up. High School Credits are available to students completing the co-requisites designated by each provincial/territorial Department of Education. Click here for the credit details in Manitoba. Both Conservatory Canada and RCM offer accredited examinations. Students who wish to take Conservatory Canada examinations and have taken RCM in the past can request transfer of credit to Conservatory Canada.
For more assistance, please contact me.
Scroll down for a complete list of courses. Finally learn how to read music and identify what you hear! Online and in-studio students welcome.
Please contact me for more information and to register for classes or private lessons. Online participation is available.
Advanced Music Theory (post Music Rudiments)
More advanced theory courses are co-requisites for Grade 9 and up, advisable for university entrance preparation and highly useful for developing composition skills. I teach all the following courses which include an aural musicianship/ear-training and keyboard harmony component. The idea is to build a powerful connection between music theory and listening, reading, writing and playing skills. Students are introduced to the concept of hearing music on the page in their heads the same way we hear these words in our heads as we read silently. Students learn to read and write using chord (root/quality) symbols found in jazz and pop music as well as functional chords symbols.
JOIN US in person or online! Please contact me.
Which Music Theory course would you like to take? Whether you are preparing for a conservatory examination, improving your knowledge, wanting to compose with more sophistication, improve your musicianship or stretch your creativity, this is the place for you.
Plus* designates the inclusion of ear training and some keyboard harmony application within each course to promote
music literacy and fluency. The goal of music theory is to improve music literacy, gain tools in compos and improve sight-reading, memory, listening and
improvisation skills.
Please contact me for more information and to register for classes or private lessons. Online instruction is available.
More advanced theory courses are co-requisites for Grade 9 and up, advisable for university entrance preparation and highly useful for developing composition skills. I teach all the following courses which include an aural musicianship/ear-training and keyboard harmony component. The idea is to build a powerful connection between music theory and listening, reading, writing and playing skills. Students are introduced to the concept of hearing music on the page in their heads the same way we hear these words in our heads as we read silently. Students learn to read and write using chord (root/quality) symbols found in jazz and pop music as well as functional chords symbols.
JOIN US in person or online! Please contact me.
Which Music Theory course would you like to take? Whether you are preparing for a conservatory examination, improving your knowledge, wanting to compose with more sophistication, improve your musicianship or stretch your creativity, this is the place for you.
- Level 9 Harmony and Counterpoint AND Conservatory Canada Theory 5 * - starts SEP 2018
- Level 10 Harmony and Counterpoint*
- Level 11 ARCT Harmony and Counterpoint*
- Level 11 ARCT Analysis and Conservatory Canada Form and Analysis.* - starts SEP 2018
Plus* designates the inclusion of ear training and some keyboard harmony application within each course to promote
music literacy and fluency. The goal of music theory is to improve music literacy, gain tools in compos and improve sight-reading, memory, listening and
improvisation skills.
Please contact me for more information and to register for classes or private lessons. Online instruction is available.