Academic & Specialty Courses
Music Theory & Ear Training
Hear what you see. See what you hear.
Develop the complete theoretical and aural foundation every serious musician needs. From harmonic analysis to sight-singing, from counterpoint to dictation — this course transforms how you understand, hear, and engage with music at every level.
Course Philosophy
"Theory is not rules to follow — it is a language to speak. Ear training is not a test to pass — it is a sense to develop."
— Course Design Principle
This course rejects the outdated approach of teaching theory as abstract rules disconnected from sound. Every concept is immediately connected to aural experience. Every ear training exercise is grounded in theoretical understanding.
Whether you're preparing for conservatory entrance exams, strengthening your compositional toolkit, or deepening your understanding as a performer, this course builds the complete musician — one who truly hears what they read and understands what they hear.
The Four Pillars
What You'll Master
Four interconnected areas form the complete theoretical and aural foundation of the serious musician.
Harmonic Analysis
Master Roman numeral analysis, chord function, voice leading, and understand how harmony creates meaning in music from Bach to Bartók.
Ear Training
Develop acute aural perception through interval recognition, chord identification, melodic and harmonic dictation, and rhythmic transcription.
Sight-Singing
Read and perform music at sight with confidence — from simple diatonic melodies to complex chromatic passages and rhythmic challenges.
Score Study
Learn to analyze form, texture, orchestration, and compositional technique by studying masterworks from the Western canon and beyond.
The Curriculum
Six Modules of Deep Study
Each module integrates theory and ear training, building systematically from fundamentals to advanced concepts.
Foundations & Fundamentals
Diatonic Harmony
Chromatic Harmony
Form & Structure
Counterpoint
Advanced Topics
Ideal Students
Who This Course Is For
This course serves musicians at different stages who share a commitment to developing complete theoretical and aural mastery.
Students preparing for conservatory entrance exams or graduate school auditions requiring theory placement tests
Performers seeking deeper understanding of the music they play — beyond notes on a page
Composers and arrangers building their harmonic vocabulary and formal toolkit
Music educators refreshing or expanding their theoretical knowledge for teaching
Serious amateurs who want to understand music at a professional level
How It Works
Course Structure & Format
Designed for deep learning with flexibility for working musicians.
Video Lessons
Pre-recorded lectures you can watch on your schedule
Live Sessions
Weekly small-group sessions for Q&A and practice
Assignments
Written analysis, dictation recordings, and compositions
Feedback
Detailed instructor feedback on all submitted work
Time Commitment
6–8 hours per week including lessons, practice, and assignments
Duration
12 weeks total, with flexible start dates throughout the year
Prerequisites
Basic music reading ability; ability to play an instrument or sing
Completion
Certificate of completion for students who pass all assessments
The Faculty Approach
Taught by Scholar-Artists
Our theory faculty are not just academics — they are active performers, composers, and conductors who bring real-world musical insight to every concept.
Every theoretical concept is connected to actual musical repertoire — you'll never learn a rule without hearing why it matters.
Our faculty come from top institutions worldwide including Juilliard, Curtis, Royal Academy, and leading European conservatories.
Small cohort sizes ensure every student receives individual attention and personalized feedback on their progress.
"Theory isn't about following rules — it's about understanding why composers made the choices they did. When you understand the 'why,' the music comes alive in ways you never imagined."
What You'll Achieve
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will have developed these essential skills.
Harmonic Fluency
Analyze and understand harmonic progressions in tonal music from the Baroque through late Romantic periods, identifying chord function, voice leading, and modulation.
Aural Acuity
Accurately transcribe melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic material by ear, including two-voice dictation and four-part harmonic progressions.
Sight-Reading
Perform melodies at sight using solfège or another system, including chromatic passages, compound meters, and syncopated rhythms.
Formal Understanding
Identify and analyze musical forms from binary and ternary through sonata and rondo, understanding how structure creates meaning.
Contrapuntal Thinking
Write and analyze species counterpoint, understand imitative techniques, and appreciate the logic of polyphonic music.
Score Study Skills
Read and analyze orchestral scores, understanding how texture, orchestration, and compositional technique create musical effects.
Syllabus Preview
Sample Topics
A glimpse into the specific concepts and skills covered throughout the course.
Harmony
- Diatonic triads and seventh chords
- Roman numeral analysis
- Voice leading principles
- Secondary dominants
- Modulation techniques
- Neapolitan and augmented sixths
- Borrowed chords (mode mixture)
- Chromatic mediants
Ear Training
- Interval recognition (all types)
- Triad and seventh chord ID
- Melodic dictation (diatonic to chromatic)
- Rhythmic dictation (simple/compound)
- Two-voice dictation
- Harmonic progression recognition
- Modulation by ear
- Error detection exercises
Analysis
- Phrase structure and cadences
- Period and sentence forms
- Binary and ternary forms
- Sonata-allegro form
- Rondo and variations
- Fugue analysis basics
- Texture and orchestration
- Style and historical context
Student Voices
What Students Say
"I thought I knew theory from years of playing, but this course completely transformed my understanding. Now when I look at a score, I actually understand what I'm seeing — and my performances have improved dramatically as a result."
"The ear training component alone was worth the entire course. After 12 weeks, I can transcribe melodies I hear on the radio. I can identify chord progressions in real time. It's like gaining a superpower."
"I needed to pass the theory placement exam for grad school. Not only did I pass — I placed into the advanced track. The systematic approach here built my skills faster than any other method I tried."
"As a piano teacher, I've taught theory for years — but this course gave me new tools and perspectives that have transformed how I teach. My students are learning faster because I understand the material more deeply."
Get Started
Enroll in Music Theory & Ear Training
Fill out the form below and our academic team will contact you with enrollment details and next steps.
Start Hearing Differently
Music theory isn't about memorizing rules. It's about understanding the language composers speak. Ear training isn't about passing tests. It's about developing a sense that will transform how you experience every piece of music for the rest of your life.