Private Composition and Music Theory Lessons

Composition and Music Theory Lessons

Synthase is an online school for music creators that strives to unleash the power of every student's musical creativity. At Synthase, we offer a variety of workshops, classes, and lessons for aspiring students, and our professional teaching artists are dedicated to helping our students reach their musical goals.

What We Teach:

Composition (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)

Writing music to be played by singers/instrumentalists
Making beats in a DAW (such as Ableton, SoundTrap)
Rearrange your favorite tune to be played on your instrument

Music Theory (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)

Musical form
Counterpoint
Tonal harmony
What composers are doing today
Additionally, we offer instruction to help students excel on college applications, as well as exams such as AP Music Theory, CM, all levels of ABRSM and RCM, and more.

What Our Students Say:

My piano teacher recommended Synthase to me in the spring semester of 2023 after I had expressed interest in pursuing music composition as a career for several years (this was at the startup of the company). I was a little unconvinced that Zoom lessons would ever benefit me much, as I'd always taken in-person lessons with a local teacher. But, after the FIRST lesson, I was hooked. Miss Susie's (one of the two instructors at Synthase) teaching style and enthusiasm for unconventional music and composers hooked me from the start, and I wanted to learn MORE. Over the past year with her, I've been able to accomplish things I NEVER would've thought were possible for a senior in high school like me. Miss Susie helped me during the entire year to prepare my applications for various conservatories, quality pre-screening materials, and interview skills that have secured me admission to two prestigious music schools (Berklee and the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins - I received a full ride yesterday for the latter, and I'm submitting my enrollment deposit very soon :D). I know that this wouldn't have EVER been possible without her, as I had no clue about how to even begin the application process, let alone what materials to submit. Miss Susie instructed me carefully through the correct approach to writing and notating large ensemble pieces, small chamber ensembles, and electronic/acoustic fusions which have improved my style and musical confidence in so many ways. I was able to record two out of three of my original pieces with live musicians (including the large ensemble piece with a wind ensemble at a local high school which then programmed my piece in their Christmas concert) for pre-screening, which was the BEST feeling in the world, and I know without Synthase, much of this would never have happened. I am incredibly thankful for Miss Susie, and I know my life has genuinely changed because of the instruction I received - Synthase has set me on a path for success!!

I have been taking lessons from Synthase for 1 year now. I grew up playing classical piano. After many years away from the piano, I wanted to come back and learn how to play chords. I tried an online self-study course, but I found the songs old fashioned and lost motivation. During my first lesson with Nate, I was already learning some of my favorite popular songs. Nate helped me set up my keyboard and computer to easily take the lessons on Zoom, which helps with my busy schedule. Now I am playing by ear and I’ve joined a band playing keyboard! I am constantly challenged during my lessons and continue to learn and grow way beyond what I had initially envisioned. Not only is Nate an extremely talented musician, he is also a patient and thoughtful teacher. I would highly recommend his unique method of learning to anyone at any skill level.

Synthase is an amazing music institution with such incredible professionals! It is an institution that has helped me grow not just as a musician, but also as a human being. Synthase helps their students to develop their musical vision and offers a large range of opportunities and a wonderful environment for students to explore their musical abilities and learn even more!

I'm taking music composition lessons with Susie, and it's amazing how far I've come in just a few months. At first, I could only write some simple piano pieces, and I didn't know much about music theory and composition. After a few months of study, I learned various musical forms, tried midi composition, and even completed a piano variation. Susie has very rich professional knowledge, patience, humor, and can always make difficult music theory knowledge understandable to me in a humorous and simple way. If you are interested in music creation, if you want to learn music theory, believe me, this is the best place! Highly recommend!

Schedule a Free Consultation Session:

Interested in taking private lessons with us? Fill out the form below and we will reach out to you to schedule a free 30-minute consultation session. During the consultation, we will learn about your musical interests and goals and give you recommendations accordingly. For students under 18: please make sure one parent is present at the consultation session.

Our Educators:

Synthase founder Nate May (b. 1987) is a versatile American composer, keyboardist, and educator whose music has been heard across four continents: in jazz clubs and DIY spaces, on national television, in museums and modern dance venues, and on mainstage classical events at New York’s Sheen Center and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. His chamber, choral, and orchestral music, characterized by textural intricacy, rhythmic drive, and repurposed sounds, has been performed by the International Contemporary Ensemble, Ensemble Dal Niente, Wild UP, the Yale Philharmonia, Patchwork Duo, and Quartetto Indaco. Also an award-winning educator, he has served as a teaching artist with the American Composers Orchestra and taught courses at Yale University, Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, Montclair State University, the Walden School, and the Thurnauer school. He holds a doctorate in composition from Yale, supported in part by a Charles Ives Scholarship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He also earned degrees from Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (M.M., Composition) and the University of Michigan (B.F.A., Jazz and Contemplative Studies). His teachers have included Aaron Jay Kernis, David Lang, Christopher Theofanidis, Geri Allen, Stephen Rush, and Michael Fiday.

Huijuan (Susie) Ling is a composer and keyboardist currently based in Durham, NC. She likes to draw her inspiration outside the boundaries of the wobbly concept of Western art music and enjoys the process of discovering and negotiating a sound world that feels authentic both to her and her collaborators. Her music has been performed by ensembles and musicians such as the Utari Duo, Cracow Golden Quintet, Ciompi Quartet, Yarn/Wire, Imani Winds, JACK Quartet, Line Upon Line Percussion, and others. In 2022, her woodwind quintet “Toward a Rediscovery” won the first prize in the fifth International “New Vision” Composition Competition from the New York Dance & Arts Innovations; in 2021, she was awarded the William Klenz Prize in Composition from Duke University; in 2020, she was among the recipients of the Charles Ives Scholarship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters; and in 2019, her harpsichord solo “Those Cold Winter Rains” won the third prize in the SIMM 2019 International Harpsichord Composition Competition. Huijuan received her Ph.D. in Composition at Duke University, where she studied composition with Stephen Jaffe and harpsichord/organ with Robert Parkins. She received her MM at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and her BM at Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

Summary of Studio Policy & Rates:

Our private lessons focus on theory, composition, or some combination of the two. Please communicate your musical goals with us well in advance, especially if any exam preparation is involved.
All lessons are held online, and will meet over a video platform. Additionally, to ensure the best possible quality, please check the technical requirements list in our full studio policies.
We expect students and families to communicate clearly if there will be any deviations from their scheduled lesson times. A make-up credit is given for cancellations with at least 24 hours notice or in case of emergency, pending the teacher’s availability. All makeup credits expire within 30 days.
Our rate is $90 per 55-minute lesson. Fees are prepaid in packages of four lessons, billed through a system called Fons. Packages will be re-billed automatically upon the depletion of the current package.
If you would like to stop lessons, you must let your teacher know before the last lesson of a package.