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Since September 2021
Instructor since September 2021
Composition lessons with Dr Jonathan (in person or online)
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From 60 £ /h
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*** Composition lessons with Dr Jonathan ***

I am a composer and educator based in South-East London who has recently obtained a Ph.D. in composition from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, having previously studied at Cambridge and the Royal Academy of Music. My passion for music feeds directly into my passion for teaching, and I hope that I can inspire as many people as possible to deepen their love of music by learning to understand it from the inside out.

I have been teaching music for over 10 years both in schools and as a private tutor, ranging from interactive workshops with primary students to university-level one-to-one composition. I have previously been the resident composition teacher at Eton College (2015-17) and City of London School for Girls (2017-20), as well as delivering workshops at schools around the country in a visiting capacity. I am as comfortable working with students taking their very first steps in theory and composition as I am with those who are more advanced and can teach across a variety of styles and genres including classical, jazz, rock, and musical theatre.

As a tutor, I always seek a student-led approach, adapting content and delivery to individual tutees’ needs. Above all, whether in theory or composition, I always try to enthuse students by conveying my own love of music and encouraging theirs. No element of music or musical development can be considered in isolation, and so I seek to link up whatever a student is working on with their wider musicianship and listening – classical or otherwise – to put things into context. Another important part of my teaching practice is preparing tailor-made resources for students which are theirs to keep, ensuring that any material covered can be revised and consolidated.

The core of my composition teaching is of course discussing and dissecting students’ music, but alongside this go technical exercises, score analysis, music history and live listening which feedback into the compositional process and put the music written into context. Most importantly, I meet students on their own stylistic ground, helping them to achieve the best possible realization of their personal artistic ambition while also encouraging them to listen and explore as widely as possible.
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At teacher's location :
  • London SE10, UK
Age
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
Availability of a typical week
(GMT -05:00)
New York
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Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
00-04
04-08
08-12
12-16
16-20
20-24
*** Music Theory lessons with Dr Jonathan ***

I am a composer and educator based in South-East London who has recently obtained a PhD in composition from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, having previously studied at Cambridge and the Royal Academy of Music. My passion for music feeds directly into my passion for teaching, and I hope that I can inspire as many people as possible to deepen their love of music by learning to understand it from the inside out.

I have been teaching music for over 10 years both in schools and as a private tutor, ranging from interactive workshops with primary students to university-level one-to-one composition. I have previously been the resident composition teacher at Eton College (2015-17) and City of London School for Girls (2017-20), as well as delivering workshops at schools around the country in a visiting capacity. I am as comfortable working with students taking their very first steps in theory and composition as I am with those who are more advanced, and can teach across a variety of styles and genres including classical, jazz, rock and musical theatre.

As a tutor, I always seek a student-led approach, adapting content and delivery to individual tutees’ needs. Above all, whether in theory or composition, I always try to enthuse students by conveying my own love of music and encouraging theirs. No element of music or musical development can be considered in isolation, and so I seek to link up whatever a student is working on with their wider musicianship and listening – classical or otherwise – to put things into context. Another important part of my teaching practice is preparing tailor-made resources for students which are theirs to keep, ensuring that any material covered can be revised and consolidated.

Time is split between teaching key concepts (including providing tailor-made resources) and looking through student work, always balancing the discussion between aspects of the work which are more or less successful. While most of my theory students take ABRSM theory grades, I also teach theory and musicianship more broadly without focusing on specific exams and boards.
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Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from an industry expert! Please get in touch for music production and composition lessons with James and take the first step towards achieving your musical dreams.
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What You'll Learn:
Composition Techniques: Learn how to structure songs, craft memorable melodies, harmonies, and rhythms, and bring your musical ideas to life.

Audio Mixing: Master the art of balancing tracks, EQ, compression, and reverb to create professional-quality mixes that stand out.

Plugin Use: Explore Logic Pro’s vast library of stock plugins and third-party options to sculpt unique sounds and enhance your productions.

Sound Manipulation: Dive into advanced techniques like pitch correction, time-stretching, and creative sound design to transform your music.

Recording Essentials: Discover best practices for recording vocals and instruments, setting up your workspace, and achieving clean, polished audio.

Sound Design & Sampling: Use Logic Pro's synthesisers and samplers to design custom sounds and create textures that make your tracks unique.

Automation & Effects: Add depth and dynamics to your projects with automation, effects chains, and advanced routing setups.

Computer-Generated Music Techniques: Harness the power of MIDI and virtual instruments to create music across genres, from electronic to cinematic scores.

What to Expect:
Hands-On Learning: Practical exercises and real-time projects tailored to your experience level.

Professional Tips & Tricks: Insider knowledge from an experienced music producer, composer and sound designer who’s worked with renowned artists and brands like the BBC and Microsoft.

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No matter your background or musical style, you’ll leave equipped to produce high-quality tracks that reflect your unique artistic voice.

Ready to Create?
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Contact Jonathan
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Rowan
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James
Are you ready to elevate your music to new heights? Join acclaimed songwriter and producer James at his studio in South London for personalised lessons in music production and composition. With a wealth of experience in artist development, pop music production, and audio engineering, James is here to help you unlock your creative potential.


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James is a versatile songwriter and producer based in London, renowned for his work with the Indie-Pop/Rock band Safe to Swim and his collaborations with emerging pop talents. With expertise in Logic Pro and proficiency in keyboard and guitar, James has developed a unique sound that blends various genres, including pop, alternative, and indie. His collaborations have received airplay from industry leaders like Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1 and support from BBC, Radio X and Live Nation’s Ones to Watch.

With a proven track record of delivering professional-quality songs quickly and efficiently, James has worked with notable brands like Ford and has made his mark in the music industry, securing placements on Spotify editorial playlists. He is committed to artist development, collaborating with management and A&R teams at prestigious labels like Insanity Records and Sony RCA.


What You’ll Learn:

Songwriting and Composition Mastery: Dive into the art of crafting compelling melodies and lyrics that captivate listeners.

Music Production Techniques: Gain hands-on experience in recording, editing, and producing high-quality music using Logic Pro.

Artist Development Insights: Learn effective strategies for collaborating with artists and bringing their musical visions to life.

Efficient Workflow: Master the skills to deliver polished compositions, songs and recordings.

Creative Collaboration: Enhance your collaboration skills to foster productive partnerships with other musicians and industry professionals.


Who This Class Is For:

Whether you're an aspiring artist, producer, composer or simply passionate about music, these lessons are individually tailored to you: designed to inspire and nurture your creativity.

All lessons are hosted at James's studio in South London.

Get Started:

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from an industry expert! Please get in touch for music production and composition lessons with James and take the first step towards achieving your musical dreams.
verified badge
Gonçalo
What You'll Learn:
Composition Techniques: Learn how to structure songs, craft memorable melodies, harmonies, and rhythms, and bring your musical ideas to life.

Audio Mixing: Master the art of balancing tracks, EQ, compression, and reverb to create professional-quality mixes that stand out.

Plugin Use: Explore Logic Pro’s vast library of stock plugins and third-party options to sculpt unique sounds and enhance your productions.

Sound Manipulation: Dive into advanced techniques like pitch correction, time-stretching, and creative sound design to transform your music.

Recording Essentials: Discover best practices for recording vocals and instruments, setting up your workspace, and achieving clean, polished audio.

Sound Design & Sampling: Use Logic Pro's synthesisers and samplers to design custom sounds and create textures that make your tracks unique.

Automation & Effects: Add depth and dynamics to your projects with automation, effects chains, and advanced routing setups.

Computer-Generated Music Techniques: Harness the power of MIDI and virtual instruments to create music across genres, from electronic to cinematic scores.

What to Expect:
Hands-On Learning: Practical exercises and real-time projects tailored to your experience level.

Professional Tips & Tricks: Insider knowledge from an experienced music producer, composer and sound designer who’s worked with renowned artists and brands like the BBC and Microsoft.

Flexible Learning: Choose between the convenience of online sessions or the engaging atmosphere of in-person classes.


No matter your background or musical style, you’ll leave equipped to produce high-quality tracks that reflect your unique artistic voice.

Ready to Create?
Good-fit Instructor Guarantee
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Contact Jonathan