Individual lessons in composition, orchestration, music theory, score study, musicianship, and aural skills, tailored to your experience, current work, and goals.
Stephen Cabell is a Los Angeles-based composer and educator who serves as Visiting Associate Professor of Music Theory at Occidental College. His teaching emphasizes strong technical foundations while helping each student develop an individual musical voice.
He studied composition at the Curtis Institute of Music, The Juilliard School, and the USC Thornton School of Music. His teaching experience includes Occidental College, Chapman University, Mostly Modern Festival, Atlantic Music Festival, Manhattan School of Music Precollege, Kaufman Music Center, and his private studio.
Stephen works with students at a range of levels, from musicians strengthening their theoretical and aural skills to advanced composers preparing scores, performances, applications, recordings, and other professional materials. Lessons are focused, practical, and shaped around the needs of each student.
Develop your work through focused study of form, harmony, notation, orchestration, revision, and creative process. Lessons center on your current music and can also address preparation for performances, applications, recordings, and other professional opportunities.
Schedule a Composition Lesson
Study fundamentals, harmony, counterpoint, voice leading, form, analysis, ear training, sight singing, or placement exam material. Lessons connect theoretical concepts to listening, performance, and composition rather than treating them as isolated exercises.
Schedule a Theory Lesson
Study how timbre, register, balance, texture, pacing, notation, and instrumental technique affect the way music works in performance. Lessons may focus on orchestral and chamber repertoire, the analysis of recorded music, or detailed feedback on your own scores.
Schedule an Orchestration LessonStandard lessons are 60 minutes. Multiple consecutive hours may be scheduled when additional time is needed.
The regular rate is $100 per 60-minute lesson.
Lessons are normally held on Zoom. In-person lessons may be arranged in Los Angeles.
Cancellations and rescheduling require at least 24 hours’ notice.
Share a little about your background, what you are currently working on, and what you would like to address in lessons. I will follow up with any additional information you need before scheduling.