1st lesson free
Amy's email address and phone number have been validated.
Amy
- Rate $80
- Response 1h
$80/h
Contact
1st lesson free
- Music Theory
- Songwriting
- Orchestration
Award-Winning Composer: Elite Composition Technique, Orchestration & Music Theory Mentorship For All Levels
- Music Theory
- Songwriting
- Orchestration
Lesson location
-
At Amy's house: Durham
- online
-
About Amy
Studying the art of music creation requires a mentor who possesses not only deep academic knowledge but also real-world, top-tier industry experience. As a multi-award-winning professional composer holding a PhD from Duke University, my symphonic and operatic works have been performed on some of the world's most prestigious stages, including Carnegie Hall and by major metropolitan orchestras.
When you join my private studio, you are securing a highly structured, reliable, and premium educational partnership. I treat your creative goals with the utmost respect, bringing absolute professionalism, clear organization, and a deeply encouraging, student-first approach to every single session.
Together, we will transform your musical aspirations into pristine, technically masterful, and deeply expressive realities.
See more
About the lesson
- All Levels
- English
All languages in which the lesson is available :
English
My teaching method centers on demystifying the creative process through deep listening, structural analysis, and personalized mentorship. I believe that music composition is both an art and a craft; my goal is to provide you with the technical tools—such as advanced counterpoint, formal architecture, and pristine orchestration—needed to bring your unique inner sonic world to life on the page.
I treat every student as a fellow artist, creating a supportive, encouraging, and neurodivergent-affirming environment where you can safely take creative risks.
A Typical Lesson Plan:
Every 60-minute lesson is tailored entirely to your current projects and goals, typically following a fluid three-part structure:
The Check-In & Score Review (20 mins): We open by reviewing the music you wrote during the week, looking at notation, structural flow, and playability.
Technical Deep-Dive (20 mins): We analyze a specific compositional technique, orchestration choice, or music theory concept using historical or contemporary scores as blueprints.
Creative Application (20 mins): We workshop your current piece live, troubleshooting sticky transitions, expanding melodic lines, and setting clear, manageable goals for your next writing week.
What Sets Me Apart
I bring a rare blend of elite academic training and active, top-tier industry success to my students. Holding a PhD in music composition from Duke University, my own symphonic and operatic works have been performed at Carnegie Hall and by major orchestras. This means I do not just teach textbooks—I teach the real-world, living mechanics of how to write high-impact music that moves musicians and audiences alike.
Who These Lessons Are For
My studio is open to dedicated learners of all levels, ages, and backgrounds who want to deepen their relationship with classical music creation.
I specialize in mentoring:
Pre-College Students preparing competitive composition portfolios for elite music conservatories.
Advanced Instrumentalists who want to transition from playing music to writing their own chamber or orchestral scores.
Adult Enthusiasts looking for a rigorous, high-level, and deeply fulfilling creative outlet.
See more
Recommendations
Recommendations come from relatives, friends and acquaintances of the teacher
1
I am pleased to give my wholehearted recommendation to Amy Scurria as a teacher of music theory and composition. I've known Amy for thirty years, and she is a brilliant practitioner of musical craft in all things. I encourage people to get to know her work, particularly her opera ALICE, and to take lessons from her. She is a smart, compassionate, energetic, and enthusiastic teacher.
View more recommendations
See more
Rates
Rate
- $80
Pack rates
- 5h: $400
- 10h: $800
free lessons
This first lesson offered with Amy will allow you to get to know each other and clearly specify your needs for your next lessons.
- 1hr
online
- $80/h
Other tutors in Music Theory
Tomás
Brooklyn & online
- $70/h
- 1st lesson free
Dr Ethan Lustig
Los Angeles & online
- $100/h
Luisa
Brooklyn & online
- $60/h
EJ
Los Angeles & online
- $80/h
- 1st lesson free
Sierra
Los Angeles & online
- $90/h
- 1st lesson free
Ari
Los Angeles & online
- $100/h
Kieran
New York & online
- $60/h
- 1st lesson free
Maximiliano
Boston & online
- $45/h
- 1st lesson free
Ela
Los Angeles & online
- $80/h
- 1st lesson free
Orla
Vienna & online
- $50/h
- 1st lesson free
Stylianos
Austin & online
- $60/h
- 1st lesson free
Gabe
Lower Nazareth Township & online
- $80/h
- 1st lesson free
Theo
Athens & online
- $50/h
- 1st lesson free
Jesse
Jersey City & online
- $100/h
- 1st lesson free
Alecia
Portland & online
- $85/h
- 1st lesson free
Tim
New York & online
- $55/h
Eduardo
Punta Gorda & online
- $80/h
Ali
Brooklyn & online
- $30/h
- 1st lesson free
Kartik
Brooklyn & online
- $40/h
Oliver
New York & online
- $45/h
-
See Music Theory tutors
