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Composition • Production • Portfolio/Audition Coach
Dr. David L.

300 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Hourly Rate: $85
Response time: 51 minutes

About Dr. David


Bio

If you're looking to unleash your creativity, compose and produce, or assemble an audition‑ready portfolio/application for music school, then you're in the right place. Welcome to my studio! I'm David, a music tutor with 15+ years' experience, a doctorate in music, and a passion for helping you become the artist you want to be!

I teach composition, production, and help students get into top music schools. I’ve designed and taught university courses in electronic music and music technology;...

If you're looking to unleash your creativity, compose and produce, or assemble an audition‑ready portfolio/application for music school, then you're in the right place. Welcome to my studio! I'm David, a music tutor with 15+ years' experience, a doctorate in music, and a passion for helping you become the artist you want to be!

I teach composition, production, and help students get into top music schools. I’ve designed and taught university courses in electronic music and music technology; managed studios; mixed hundreds of live shows; performed my music nationwide; and collaborated with filmmakers, dancers, and visual artists. Degrees: DMA (CU Boulder), MM (UMKC Conservatory), BM (CSULB, piano/composition).

Production coaching focuses on taking tracks to release‑ready quality—arrangement, sound design, gain staging and signal flow. Streamlining workflow in Ableton, Logic, Pro Tools, and Max/MSP, including distribution prep.

Composition lessons get ideas from your head to the page/DAW, developing ideas, shaping texture and orchestration, building long‑form, and crafting affect‑driven work.

Audition consulting includes selecting, revising, and polishing scores, audio, and video; writing artist statements; and preparing for interviews and auditions.

Creativity Coaching helps you break writer’s block by re-finding your "pull"; use experiential practices to deepen and sustain your well of creativity.

Call to schedule a free 15‑min call to assess fit. If it’s a match, we’ll book 60 or 90‑minute sessions and set a weekly or bi‑weekly rhythm with milestone check‑ins. Sessions end with concrete next steps and things for you to do at home. My coaching is supportive, precise, and aimed at helping your music sound more like you.

Proficiency in Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, and Reason; I code in Max/MSP and C++, I create Max for Live devices. I’m knowledgeable in studio design/setup. I work in Dorico, Sibelius, and MuseScore.

Book a fit call and let’s map your next steps!


Education

cal state long beach
Music Composition
University Of Missouri, Kansas City
Masters
Colorado University, Boulder
PhD

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $85
  • Rate details: 60/90‑min lessons: $85/hr. Admissions/Portfolio coaching plans. Async feedback: $30 per 15 min. Limited sliding‑scale slots based on need. Free 15-min phone call to assess fit.
  • Lesson cancellation: 24 hours notice required
  • Background check passed on 3/26/2024

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

Composition (Music)

Composition (Music)

I hold a Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate degree in the subject, which has given me a comprehensive understanding of both traditional and contemporary techniques. Beyond academia, I've composed music for various collaborations with film producers, dancers, and visual artists. This real-world experience has enhanced my ability to create unique compositions across different mediums and genres.
Music Production

Music Production

I've spent years in studios and have taught music technology and production at two different universities. I have experience in operating industry-standard software like Ableton Live, Logic, Pro Tools, and Reason and designing custom synthesizers; my hands-on approach will have you creating high-quality music in no time.
Songwriting

Songwriting

I've written songs for solo projects and collaborated with a number of bands, resulting in a diverse portfolio of work. I've composed art songs for stage concerts as well. This blend of experiences equips me to guide aspiring songwriters through the creative process in both individual and collaborative contexts.
Dr. David L.'s Photo

Questions? Contact Dr. David before you book.

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Contact Dr. David
Response time: 51 minutes

Ratings and Reviews


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Reviews

Friendly and knowledgeable

David and I used a current project of mine as the template for our session. He showed me editing procedures that simplified what I’d thought was a much more difficult process. I also learned a number of aspects of Logic that I’d been unaware of. I’m looking forward to our next session.

Barry, 17 lessons with Dr. David

Fantastic tutor, helps you learn music in way that fits you

David is a fantastic tutor, and his approach to music is very unique in that he caters his teaching style to the student. I came into our first lesson with barely any experience in music composition. We analyzed music that I liked, learned music theory through that, and eventually I wrote my first "real" piece, something I thought was nearly impossible, and would've been, without David's help and his constant encouragement. David is extremely knowledgeable in many areas, and is able to share his knowledge in a way that's unique and not boring. He's a great person to talk to (even when not talking about music), and I think that is exactly what you should look for in a tutor.

Daniel, 62 lessons with Dr. David

Very Knowledgeable and Easy Going

Great teacher, easy going, Very knowledgeable about Music in general w a doctorate degree. Helping me understand my DAW Cubase from the basics. Hasn’t taken long for me to now be comfortable with the software. Adding music theory, piano or any other topics that pop up are also within his scope of knowledge.

Ryan, 10 lessons with Dr. David

100% Recommend!

From our first meeting onward, I've been SO IMPRESSED with David's knowledge of music, music production, and his teaching skills. David is also thoughtful and friendly. He is clearly an expert in his field. I reached out to him because I wanted to learn how to take my music making to the next level and to become proficient with my DAW and hardware so that it isn't hindering my creative flow. I leave our sessions with much more knowledge and confidence in using Ableton LIVE and my controllers than I expected. David helped me get my setup dialed in and making sounds within the first hour, and I am excited to see where I can take my music with David's lessons going forward. Thank you, David!

Emily, 2 lessons with Dr. David
Hourly Rate: $85
Response time: 51 minutes
Contact Dr. David