I teach music as a living, structured language.
Harmony, melody, rhythm, and form aren’t separate subjects — they’re different ways music moves and makes sense over time. My teaching emphasizes ear training, listening, and structural understanding, so that technique develops alongside a feel for why things work.
Lessons don’t begin with a fixed curriculum or a style to imitate. They begin with what the student is already curious about — a song, a sound, a question — and we follow it. From there, we build the tools needed to understand what’s happening: harmony, rhythm, form, and the habits of listening that let those ideas click.
Progress isn’t about racing through material. It’s about staying with ideas long enough for them to mean something. Technical work stays connected to sound; theory shows up when it’s useful, not as a separate hurdle. Over time, students gain confidence not just in playing notes, but in making musical choices they can stand behind.
Learning unfolds the same way composition does — through listening and consequence. Students are encouraged to trust their ears, notice cause and effect, and develop patience with material that doesn’t resolve immediately. The goal isn’t stylistic correctness; it’s musical independence: the ability to hear clearly, think flexibly, and enjoy the process.
I founded Magic West Music School to practice this approach across instruments, ages, and experience levels. The environment is focused but friendly — serious about music without being heavy about it. We care about craft, curiosity, and the long game.
I work best with students who are curious, engaged, and willing to listen closely — whether they’re just starting out or looking to deepen how they hear and make music.