Grade 8 Theory
Grade 8 Theory
Grade 8 Theory is a one year course that dives deep into style study of the Baroque, Classical and Romantic period. It follows
the structure of the ABRSM Grade 8 Theory exam and is designed to give
you plenty of experience analysing scores, developing contrapuntal writing skills, and deepening understanding of diatonic tonal harmony. This along with plenty of practice with exam-style questions will give you confidence to achieve a high pass on exam day.
Your Instructor
I have been teaching music theory and composition since I began my
graduate education in 1999. While studying for my MA in Music
Composition at the University of Pennsylvania, I started
teaching music theory to Penn
undergraduates. I have since taught music theory and composition at
Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan, Plymouth University (UK), Dartington
College of Arts (UK), and in my own studio at home. I own and operate
the Totnes School of Piano.
I entered my undergraduate studies completely focussed on studying piano
performance, but I quickly found that studying music theory improved my
sight-reading and my ability to memorise music; it heightened my
musical expression and understanding at the piano; and it eventually led
me to composing music.
I hold dual undergraduate degrees in piano performance and music theory, an MA and PhD in composition from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and two MFAs in performance (improvisation emphasis) and electronic music and recording media from Mills College in California, where I won the Flora Boyd Piano Performance Prize in 2011.
But most importantly, I have a passion for teaching music theory. I
believe it is the key that unlocks all musical treasures. It can be
engaging in its own right, but music theory, for me, is best viewed as a
means toward greater musical expression and creativity.