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The Foundations of Music Theory with a Composer-Conductor

Are you new to music or looking to understand the basics in a fun and engaging way? My Foundations of Music Theory class is designed for beginners of all ages who want to build a solid foundation in music theory!

In this interactive course, we’ll explore the essential elements of music in a playful, approachable manner. Topics include understanding notes, rhythms, basic harmony, and how to read simple sheet music. I love all kinds of music, and we can approach music theory through the music you love and with the instrument you play (or voice-part you sing).

Through games, listening exercises, and creative activities, you’ll develop a deeper appreciation for music while gaining the confidence to engage with it on a deeper level.

Whether you’re a young student just starting out or an adult wanting to revisit the fundamentals, this class welcomes everyone! No prior experience is necessary.

Location

At teacher's location: Wilsnacker Straße, Berlin, Germany
At student's location: Around Berlin, Germany
Online via webcam

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General info

Age:
Preschool children (4-6 years old)
Children (7-12 years old)
Teenagers (13-17 years old)
Adults (18-64 years old)
Seniors (65+ years old)
Student level:
Beginner
Intermediate
Duration:
30 minutes
45 minutes
60 minutes
90 minutes
120 minutes
The class is taught in:English, German

About Me

www.stephenmulligan.com

American Conductor and Composer Stephen Mulligan has served as Resident Conductor with the Cincinnati Opera, Associate Conductor with the Atlanta Symphony, and Dudamel Conducting Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. 2024-25 season highlights include conducting debuts with Ensemble MusikFabrik, the Filarmonica Transilvania, Junges Sinfonie Orchester Wetzlar, and at the Momentum Festival Berlin, alongside return engagements as a guest conductor at the University of North Texas Opera and as an assistant conductor with the New York Philharmonic. As a composer, Stephen will present a new work with Ensemble MusikFabrik at their studio in Cologne and begin a collaboration with percussionist David Moliner and Universal Edition, culminating in the premiere of a new work at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg in January 2026.

A passionate advocate for contemporary music, Stephen debuted on the New York Philharmonic’s Sound ON Series in 2022 and their 65th Street Session Series in 2023. In demand as a guest conductor, Stephen has led performances with the Dallas Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Gulbenkian Orchestra, Louisiana Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra, National Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, San Antonio Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Sarasota Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, and Virginia Symphony.

Stephen has assisted, prepared stage works, and served as second conductor for many of the world’s top conductors, including Marin Alsop, Karina Canellakis, Gustavo Dudamel, James Gaffigan, Edward Gardner, Manfred Honeck, Jakub Hrůša, Susanna Mälkki, Zubin Mehta, Ludovic Morlot, Peter Oundjian, Matthias Pintscher, David Robertson, Sir Donald Runnicles, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Leonard Slatkin, Robert Spano, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Jaap van Zweden.

As a Dudamel Conducting Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Stephen stepped in for Gustavo Dudamel on short notice to conduct an all-Beethoven program and led other notable performances, including Stravinsky’s complete L’Histoire du Soldat and an All-Ravel Toyota Symphonies for Youth Concert. During his first season as Associate Conductor with the Atlanta Symphony, Stephen stepped in for three classical subscription programs over six weeks to critical acclaim.

A native of Baltimore, Stephen Mulligan began his violin studies with his father, Gregory, and continued with Kyung Yu at Yale University. His conducting teachers include Gustav Meier at the Peabody Institute, Robert Spano at the Aspen Music Festival, and Arturo Tamayo at the Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana. He has a degree in composition under Jörg Widmann from the Barenboim-Said Akademie in Berlin.

Education

Yale University, Bachelor of the Arts, Violin and Conducting
Peabody Institute, Masters in Music, Orchestral Conducting
Barenboim-Said Akademie (Berlin), Artist Diploma in Composition

Experience / Qualifications

Los Angeles Philharmonic, Dudamel Fellow
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Assistant/Associate Conductor
Cincinnati Opera, Resident Conductor
Are you an aspiring composer? In my Elements of Musical Composition class, we’ll explore both the traditional elements of music, like pitch and rhythm, and also the what makes music like poetry. You will work on how to craft music and also how to get more music from fewer ideas to create a consistent musical language. We will also explore the idea of opposites in your compositions, encouraging you to blend contrasting elements to add depth and complexity to your work. Through the analysis of exemplary works, the composition of miniatures, and feedback on your current projects, you’ll both increase your technical fluency and simultaneously learn to love and develop your unique voice. This class is ideal for intermediate to advanced musicians who want to deepen their understanding of composition, whether you're a budding composer or an experienced musician seeking to enhance your creative skills. Join me on this journey of exploration, and let’s bring your musical ideas to life!
As an American with a C1 Goethe-Institut certificate in German, I understand the long journey of learning this difficult language! I can help you wherever you are on your German path, from the basics to complex grammar, from understanding everyday language to working on your pronunciation. I have spent time carefully collecting resources that help native English speakers...for example, things that help with speech rhythm and accentuation...which not a lot of teachers teach, but which make a huge difference. In any case, I can custom-tailor our lessons based on your needs.

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The more detail, the better.
Ex. "Hi, when are you available to meet for a lesson?"

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -05:00) New York
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4  Monday at 4:00  Tuesday at 4:00  Wednesday at 4:00  Thursday at 4:00  Friday at 4:00  Saturday at 4:00  Sunday at 4:00
5  Monday at 5:00  Tuesday at 5:00  Wednesday at 5:00  Thursday at 5:00  Friday at 5:00  Saturday at 5:00  Sunday at 5:00
6  Monday at 6:00  Tuesday at 6:00  Wednesday at 6:00  Thursday at 6:00  Friday at 6:00  Saturday at 6:00  Sunday at 6:00
7  Monday at 7:00  Tuesday at 7:00  Wednesday at 7:00  Thursday at 7:00  Friday at 7:00  Saturday at 7:00  Sunday at 7:00
8  Monday at 8:00  Tuesday at 8:00  Wednesday at 8:00  Thursday at 8:00  Friday at 8:00  Saturday at 8:00  Sunday at 8:00
9  Monday at 9:00  Tuesday at 9:00  Wednesday at 9:00  Thursday at 9:00  Friday at 9:00  Saturday at 9:00  Sunday at 9:00
10  Monday at 10:00  Tuesday at 10:00  Wednesday at 10:00  Thursday at 10:00  Friday at 10:00  Saturday at 10:00  Sunday at 10:00
11  Monday at 11:00  Tuesday at 11:00  Wednesday at 11:00  Thursday at 11:00  Friday at 11:00  Saturday at 11:00  Sunday at 11:00
12  Monday at 12:00  Tuesday at 12:00  Wednesday at 12:00  Thursday at 12:00  Friday at 12:00  Saturday at 12:00  Sunday at 12:00
13  Monday at 13:00  Tuesday at 13:00  Wednesday at 13:00  Thursday at 13:00  Friday at 13:00  Saturday at 13:00  Sunday at 13:00
14  Monday at 14:00  Tuesday at 14:00  Wednesday at 14:00  Thursday at 14:00  Friday at 14:00  Saturday at 14:00  Sunday at 14:00
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from 24.03FrAt teacher's location
from 24.03FrOnline via webcam
from 24.03FrAt student's home

Good-fit Instructor Guarantee


If you are not satisfied after your first lesson, Apprentus will find you another instructor or will refund your first lesson.

Online reputation

  • Instructor since October 2021
  • Phone number verified
  • Google connected

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -05:00) New York
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
0              
1              
2              
3  Monday at 3:00  Tuesday at 3:00  Wednesday at 3:00  Thursday at 3:00  Friday at 3:00  Saturday at 3:00  Sunday at 3:00
4  Monday at 4:00  Tuesday at 4:00  Wednesday at 4:00  Thursday at 4:00  Friday at 4:00  Saturday at 4:00  Sunday at 4:00
5  Monday at 5:00  Tuesday at 5:00  Wednesday at 5:00  Thursday at 5:00  Friday at 5:00  Saturday at 5:00  Sunday at 5:00
6  Monday at 6:00  Tuesday at 6:00  Wednesday at 6:00  Thursday at 6:00  Friday at 6:00  Saturday at 6:00  Sunday at 6:00
7  Monday at 7:00  Tuesday at 7:00  Wednesday at 7:00  Thursday at 7:00  Friday at 7:00  Saturday at 7:00  Sunday at 7:00
8  Monday at 8:00  Tuesday at 8:00  Wednesday at 8:00  Thursday at 8:00  Friday at 8:00  Saturday at 8:00  Sunday at 8:00
9  Monday at 9:00  Tuesday at 9:00  Wednesday at 9:00  Thursday at 9:00  Friday at 9:00  Saturday at 9:00  Sunday at 9:00
10  Monday at 10:00  Tuesday at 10:00  Wednesday at 10:00  Thursday at 10:00  Friday at 10:00  Saturday at 10:00  Sunday at 10:00
11  Monday at 11:00  Tuesday at 11:00  Wednesday at 11:00  Thursday at 11:00  Friday at 11:00  Saturday at 11:00  Sunday at 11:00
12  Monday at 12:00  Tuesday at 12:00  Wednesday at 12:00  Thursday at 12:00  Friday at 12:00  Saturday at 12:00  Sunday at 12:00
13  Monday at 13:00  Tuesday at 13:00  Wednesday at 13:00  Thursday at 13:00  Friday at 13:00  Saturday at 13:00  Sunday at 13:00
14  Monday at 14:00  Tuesday at 14:00  Wednesday at 14:00  Thursday at 14:00  Friday at 14:00  Saturday at 14:00  Sunday at 14:00
15  Monday at 15:00  Tuesday at 15:00  Wednesday at 15:00  Thursday at 15:00  Friday at 15:00  Saturday at 15:00  Sunday at 15:00
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from 24.03FrAt teacher's location
from 24.03FrOnline via webcam
from 24.03FrAt student's home

Good-fit Instructor Guarantee


If you are not satisfied after your first lesson, Apprentus will find you another instructor or will refund your first lesson.

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