40%
of students spontaneously start side projects
Often in collaboration with peers, using skills they learn in class.
School Partnerships
Creative music courses for online and hybrid schools
Synthase is an online school for creative music-makers led by professional composers and passionate educators. We have developed and honed our curricula by teaching them ourselves and seeing the results.
We partner with schools to virtually teach the classes we have designed. These rich middle- and high-school courses unblock students' self-confidence and self-understanding while nurturing a community of peer support.
Our Approach
Project-based music education that feels alive online
Creative music cannot be taught like an academic subject. It must be an active, project-based process led by artist-educators who know what is important and what is not.
We provide technology to support what matters, with scaffolded and systematic approaches that deliver wins at regular intervals, combined with open-ended projects that allow students to challenge themselves.
Student Momentum
Students do more when they believe they can
70%
of final projects significantly exceed minimum requirements
Students see high expectations and learn that they can exceed them.
In our classes, they see our high expectations and they know they can exceed them. The ripple effects are unparalleled.
In 15 years of working in virtual education, I have found that the most challenging curriculum to build correctly is an engaging fine arts curriculum; one that is high-quality and rigorous and that inspires student creativity. The folks at Synthase have done exactly that with their original online music education courses.
In the time Synthase has been working with our school program, our students have created original music compositions and expanded their capacity for creative thinking, learned the important skill of constructing critiques and receiving feedback, and have learned to work in constructive collaboration with their peers on artistic projects. Synthase offers a novel and powerful curriculum for the online space, or any learning environment for that matter, in music composition and creative output.
Cody Whetstone Online Academic Dean, Colorado Early Colleges Beyond the Music
Students practice skills for 21st-century life
Understand
An array of contemporary cultural practices.
Communicate
With peers to provide specific and empathetic feedback.
Achieve
Technological self-sufficiency in software concepts used across music, sound, event, film, and animation industries.
Develop
Musical skills that extend to instrumental and vocal music, production, arranging, and composition.
Navigate
A wide range of possibilities to achieve desired results.
Part of Your Team
More than curricula, more than instruction
We are creative professionals who teach what we know in a way that responds to the needs of young people. We are part of your on-the-ground educational team: we communicate with parents, stay in touch with school officials about student progress and issues, and participate in meetings about our students.
B has never been so captivated and invested in a school course before. Nate's teaching methods were innovative and engaging, capturing B's attention from the first note to the last. Thanks to his efforts, B has discovered a newfound love for music, and her commitment to practicing and honing her skills has flourished.
Nate's expertise in his field, combined with his genuine care for each student, fostered a nurturing and inclusive learning environment. He encouraged B to explore her musical talents, embrace her unique voice, and express herself through various musical mediums. I am delighted to say that under his guidance, B's confidence as a musician has blossomed, and she now sees music as a lifelong passion rather than just a fleeting interest.
Fall 2026 Offerings
Courses available for partner schools
Music Makers Lab I
This class is perfect for students who dream of making their own music but are not sure where to start. Students take songs apart and try to put them back together, learning tools and concepts that help them make new songs of their own. By the end, they will have original tracks to share with the world, plus an understanding of music technology that can help them get to the next level. This class is based in Soundtrap, and prior experience with music is not required. Student works will be featured in the live online showcase at the end of the semester.
Advanced Music Portfolio
When musical artists have the basic skills of working with a Digital Audio Workstation under their belt, they can focus on developing their craft and artistic voice by repeating the process of making and learning until their ability matches their taste. Music Makers Lab II students create an EP of highly original, polished tracks, with the option to release on SoundCloud or Bandcamp. Music Makers Lab III students create a second set of four tracks, which they can combine with their EP to create a full album. This requires independent, self-paced work and includes one-on-one meetings with the instructor as well as peer feedback sessions. Student works will be featured in the live online showcase at the end of the semester.
Operation Echo
This is a collaborative, student-led, project-based class that guides you through your wildest musical dreams. In this class, you will work with your classmates on building multiple projects (you set the number! But at least 2!), and your instructor will ride along and provide essential resources for you. By the end, you will have a portfolio created by you and your collaborators to share with the world.
Ready to Schedule a Walkthrough?