Cultivate your innate creativity with a dedicated mentor.
I work with composers and the creatively-curious of all ages, whether you’re just developing your creative voice, honing your craft, or preparing for the next professional chapter.
As a teacher, I believe that every human being is innately creative. My role is to help remove internal barriers and guide artists toward the techniques and mindset needed to realize their most true and original vision.
Who I work with:
- young composers exploring their creative expression
- students preparing portfolios for college, graduate school, or festivals
- adults returning to music or rediscovering their creative selves
- fellow neurodiverse artists seeking companionship, flexibility, and support in their creative journey
What does a lesson look like?
Each lesson is shaped by your needs and interests. Depending on your interests, we might dive into a work-in-progress, study a favorite piece, explore strategies for working through writer’s block over tea, or develop essential skills like harmony, orchestration, or aural theory. Whether we’re deep in a score or a discussion, each lesson is designed to move you forward on your creative journey, fueling productive independent work between sessions.
Student Testimonials
“It’s a great pleasure working with Cerulean on my graduate school portfolio. They’ve helped me make sense of my ideas and nurture them into compelling compositions. The guidance they share, both in composition and in preparing for graduate school, has been invaluable, and I highly recommend studying with them.” – Abegail, BA De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde 2023
“Cerulean is an exceptionally perceptive instructor. They have an incredible instinct for identifying what I am trying to say, often helping me articulate musical or verbal ideas I was struggling to express. Their teaching style combines unwavering patience with the tools and structural guidance I need to refine my process, creating an environment where I am encouraged to take risks and grow.” – Whitney Sheng, 2026 precept.concept.percept XV Resident and Heidelberg New Music Festival participant
“Studying with Cerulean has been nothing but an excellent experience. They are not only extremely helpful and knowledgeable as a teacher, but also extremely supportive of me as a student in such a way that has allowed me to really find my own sound as a composer, while still pushing me to experiment more. I also find that I am really able to dive into subjects with them beyond composition itself, such as planning for the future of my education and career, music theory, and aural skills.” – Quinn Orellana-Segura, 2024 Wildflower Composers Festival participant and 2025 Cleveland Institute of Music Young Composers participant
Interested in Studying Together?
Now booking for Spring 2025
- Openings for regular students begin January 2026
- One-off lessons available for project feedback or guidance in January and throughout Winter as available
Reach out: [email protected] for more information.
Book a Free 45-minute Intro Lesson
I offer a free 45-minute lesson when space is available so we can see if working together feels like a good fit.