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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 without feeling overwhelmed.

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 scores. We can approach music theory through whatever music you love and with whatever 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 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 rhythm, pitch, color, etc., but also the elements of musical poetry. You will not only learn how to craft music but also how to use constraints to create a cohesive and consistent musical language. We will also explore the idea of paradox 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 a professional composer and conductor with a decade of teaching experience, I offer in-depth lessons on music theory, ear-training, and score reading—both online and in Berlin. Whether you’re a student, amateur, or professional, I can tailor the course just for you. The fundamentals of reading scores have to do with understanding instrumentation and transposition...but in our sessions, we will go beyond that. We'll learn to "reverse-engineer" scores, learning to think like a composer. By seeing the larger patterns and exploring the ‘why,' you’ll learn how to uncover the techniques and strategies that bring music to life, and simultaneously how to feel more at ease looking at complex scores. Lessons are flexible, allowing you to explore your interests at your own pace with a curriculum designed to meet your needs.

Ask a question

Send a message explaining your needs and Stephen will reply soon:
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Availability of a typical week

(GMT -05:00) New York
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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
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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
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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 £35.13Online via webcam
from £44.56At 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              
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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 £35.13Online via webcam
from £44.56At 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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