Build your craft through individualized study in composition, orchestration, music theory, score study, musicianship, and aural skills, with guidance tailored to your experience, creative goals, and artistic development.
Stephen Cabell is a Los Angeles-based composer, educator, and a Visiting Associate Professor of Music Theory at Occidental College. His teaching is grounded in the belief that strong craft and individual artistic voice should develop together.
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 developing musicians as well as advanced composers preparing scores, performances, applications, recordings, and professional materials. Lessons are rigorous, practical, and responsive to the needs of each student.
Develop both craft and individual voice through focused work on form, harmony, notation, orchestration, revision, creative process, and preparation for performances, applications, or recordings. Lessons are shaped around your current work and long-term artistic goals.
Schedule a Composition Lesson
Study fundamentals, harmony, counterpoint, voice leading, form, analysis, ear training, sight singing, or placement examination material. The goal is to make theory practical, musical, and directly connected to how you hear, perform, and create.
Schedule a Theory Lesson
Explore how timbre, register, balance, texture, pacing, notation, and instrumental technique shape musical ideas. Study orchestral and chamber repertoire, examine non-notated music, or receive detailed feedback on your own writing.
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 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 experience, current work, and what you hope to study. Stephen will follow up with guidance about the most appropriate lesson format.