Master’s Candidate | Piano, Guitar, Voice, Theory & Composition

Gabriel N.

I am a Master’s Candidate in Music Composition at San Diego State University, where I also serve as a Graduate Assistant, with 17 years of private teaching experience. I hold B.A.s with Highest Honors in Music (Composition) and Theatre (Playwriting) from UC San Diego. I teach students of varying ages and levels in one-on-one settings, tailoring lessons to their goals, learning styles, and interests.
I teach piano, guitar, voice, composition, theory, ear training, and songwriting. Piano instruction can include classical technique, jazz harmony, lead sheets, accompaniment, and improvisation. I teach guitar from beginning through advanced levels, including classical, rock, blues, jazz, and flamenco, and have professional experience as a solo guitarist. My vocal teaching draws on extensive classical study and professional ensemble singing, with attention to healthy production, breath support, pitch, musicianship, and interpretation.
As a composer, my music has been performed or recorded by HUB New Music, the St. Lawrence String Quartet, loadbang!, Mark Dresser and his ensemble, and other professional artists. I teach composition and theory from fundamentals through counterpoint, orchestration, arranging, post-tonal techniques, and microtonality.
I also teach playwriting, acting, audition, and monologue preparation. My plays have received new-play readings at UC San Diego, where I completed an honors thesis in playwriting. I welcome everyone from complete beginners and adults returning to music to advanced students preparing auditions, exams, portfolios, performances, and original work.