Music Production, Theory, and Composition
The Conservatory is privileged to have several composers among its faculty members and offers individual lessons in 30, 45, and 60-minute lengths, depending on student need and teacher recommendation.
Using the Royal Conservatory curriculum, students in music theory classes learn theory concepts such as time and key signatures, scales, intervals, triads, and chord symbols based on corresponding levels. Courses include reading about and listening to works by renowned composers.
Meet Our Music Production, Theory, and Composition Faculty
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Wesley Chu
Music Production, Theory, and Composition -
Kathryn Eames
Piano Department ChairPianoMusic Production, Theory, and CompositionChamber MusicPiano -
Nic Gerpe
PianoMusic Production, Theory, and CompositionAdult Studies -
Renee Gilormini
PianoYoung MusiciansMusic Production, Theory, and Composition -
Vatché Mankerian
PianoAdult StudiesPianoMusic Production, Theory, and Composition -
Joshua Tan
PianoMusic Production, Theory, and Composition -
Ruby Wang
PianoMusic Production, Theory, and Composition -
Alexander Zhu
Music Production, Theory, and Composition Department ChairPianoMusic Production, Theory, and Composition
2026–2027 Music Technology Offerings
September 1, 2026 – June 1, 2027
Tuesdays: 6:30 – 7:30pm
Instructor: Dr. Alexander Zhu
Tuition: $1,332
Set in our brand new, state-of-the-art music technology lab, this course offers an introduction to the world of music production using industry-
standard software, Logic Pro. Students learn the fundamentals of MIDI, edit and mix audio, and explore creative techniques for building their own digital tracks. By the end of the year, students have gained hands-on experience using a digital audio workstation (DAW) to create and complete musical projects.
Ages 12+ are invited to enroll.
September 3, 2026 – June 3, 2027
Thursdays: 6:30 – 7:30pm
Instructor: Dr. Alexander Zhu
Tuition: $1,332
Learn the fundamentals of music composition in this fast-paced course! Students explore the essentials of creating music, generating and organizing ideas, notating melodies, and writing for instruments—all while developing their unique musical voice. Each student composes original pieces using music notation software to share with the class and their families.
Ages 12+ are invited to enroll.
September 1, 2026 – June 1, 2027
Tuesdays: 7:35 – 8:15pm
Instructor: Wesley Chu
Tuition: $1,152
This course covers essential music theory concepts used in music production. Students explore foundational topics such as scales, chords, and harmony, and learn how to apply these principles when creating original beats, songs, and arrangements.
Ages 12+ are invited to enroll.
Summer 2026 Music Technology Offerings
June 22 – 26, 2026
Monday – Friday: 1:30 – 4:00 pm
Instructor: Dr. Alexander Zhu
Tuition: $585
This course is an introduction to the world of music production using industry-standard software Logic Pro. Students will learn the fundamentals of MIDI, editing, and mixing audio, as well as explore creative techniques for building their own digital tracks. By the end of the week, students will have gained hands-on experience in using a digital audio workstation (DAW) to create a complete musical project.
Ages 12+ are invited to enroll.
June 22 – 26, 2026
Monday – Friday: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Instructor: Dr. Alexander Zhu
Tuition: $585
Learn the fundamentals of music composition in this fast-paced course! Students explore the essentials of creating music, generating and organizing ideas, notating melodies, and writing for instruments—all while developing their unique musical voice. Each student composes original pieces using music notation software.
Ages 12+ are invited to enroll.
June 22 – 26, 2026
Monday – Friday: 9:00 – 10:00 am
Instructor: Dr. Wesley Chu
Tuition: $175
This course covers essential music theory concepts used in music production. Students explore foundational topics such as scales, chords, and harmony, and learn how to apply these principles when creating original beats, songs, and arrangements.
Ages 12+ are invited to enroll.
Youth Theory Courses
August 31, 2026 – June 8, 2027
Tuition: $792/$432* for 30 min classes
or $1,188/$648* for 45 min classes
Material fees not included
*Discount for students concurrently enrolled in individual lessons at PCM
See theory class descriptions below
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Music Theory 1
Mondays
3:45 pm
Renee Gilormini -
Music Theory 2
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Theory 3
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Theory 4
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Theory 5
Mondays
5:50 pm
Renee Gilormini -
Theory 6
Mondays
6:20 pm
Renee Gilormini -
Theory 7*
Wednesdays
7:30 pm
Ruby Wang
September 2, 2026 – June 2, 2027
Wednesdays: 5:10 – 5:55pm
Instructor: Ahmet Türkmenoğlu
Tuition: $1,188/648*
This class introduces young musicians to the building blocks of jazz, including scales, chords, rhythm, and basic improvisation. Students learn how jazz works “from the inside out” through interactive activities, listening, and playing. Perfect for beginners or those new to jazz, this course builds a strong foundation for confident musicianship and creativity.
Ages 12+ are invited to enroll.
September 3, 2026 – June 3, 2027
Thursdays: 5:30 – 6:15pm
Instructor: Nathan Lewis
Tuition: $1,188/648*
Develop accuracy, musical fluency, listening, and artistic understanding in a focused and engaging environment through rhythm training, ear training, sight-singing, and music theory, specifically designed for string players. Students build the core musical skills that support expressive and confident
performance. For students at Suzuki Levels 4-8 or equivalent.
Ages 10+ are invited to enroll.
Adult Theory Classes
September 8, 2026 – January 19, 2027
Tuesdays: 2:15 – 3:15pm
Instructor: Dr. Kathryn Eames
Tuition: $374
Using Basics of Keyboard Theory curriculum, students refresh their knowledge and expand their horizons through sequenced instruction in music theory. This course is for beginners through intermediate singers and players.
A “Basics of Keyboard Theory” book* is required ($13.95).
September 8, 2026 – January 19, 2027
Tuesdays: 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Instructor: Dr. Kathryn Eames
Tuition: $374
Work through the Basics of Keyboard Theory curriculum at your own pace with guidance from an instructor. Designed for adults with current or past musical experience, students begin with a brief placement assessment to find the right starting point and progress at their own level from there.
A “Basics of Keyboard Theory” book* is required ($13.95).
August 31, 2026 – January 18, 2027
Mondays: 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Instructor: Sherry Luchette
Tuition: $396
For beginner and intermediate students, this class includes ear training on intervals, triads, and 7th chords. Shelly Berg’s “Essentials of Jazz Theory” provides lessons on scales, chord patterns, and soloing directly applicable to jazz standards. Students bring their instruments (pianos provided) and receive weekly practice assignments tailored to their experience level.
* Materials can be purchased in the front office or at various online retailers.
2026 Adult Summer Theory Offerings
June 13 – August 15, 2026
Mondays: 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Instructor: Sherry Luchette
Tuition: $160
The Adult Studies Jazz Theory class is for beginner to intermediate levels. This class includes ear training drills on music intervals, triads, and 7th chords. Students study lesson topics from Shelly Berg’s “Essentials of Jazz Theory,” including various scales, chord patterns, and soloing exercises that can be directly applied to jazz standards. Students bring their instruments (pianos provided) and are given weekly practice assignments in line with their experience level.
*No classes July 4 or August 8
Class Descriptions
Youth Theory
Students enrolling in Theory classes will be required to take a placement exam.
Building on the skills learned in Prep 1, students will learn about accidentals and enharmonics, measures and simple time signatures, whole tones and semitones. Introduces major scales and key signatures. Course includes reading about and listening to works by great composers.
In this course, students expand their knowledge of key signatures to include relative, as well as the concept of harmonic minor. They continue learning the constructs of good melody writing, and begin to study the great composers. This level introduces tonic chord symbols.
Students expand their knowledge of key signatures to two sharps and flats and are introduced to melodic minor. They play these scales on the piano and on their own instruments. They learn about major and perfect intervals and begin octave transposition. This level adds dominant triads and chord symbols to their repertoire.
In this level, students study key signatures and scales up to three sharps and flats. They learn how to transpose a melodic line into another clef, and are introduced to minor intervals. This course adds subdominant triads to the mix, and students now progress to writing four-measure melodies outlining specific harmonies.
Students continue the foundations established at the Elementary levels and further develop understanding of notational conventions, analysis, melody and composition, and music history.
Intermediate level examinations require cumulative knowledge of concepts from all previous levels.
Students learn about double sharps and flats, as well as augmented and diminished intervals. They learn how to transpose a melody up by any interval, and are introduced to half and authentic cadences. Students go more in depth into the characteristics of the Baroque and Classical eras.