Composition lessons

“Sarah Rimkus is dedicated to fostering creativity and providing a safe space for her students to explore their artistry. Through her extensive professional experience, Sarah guides her students from the early stages of a composition to finalizing a performance ready score. During my time studying with Sarah, I have expanded my knowledge on orchestration and improved my process for developing ideas."

–Nick, K-12 music teacher

With the finalists for the Carlaw Ogston Composition Competition, 2016.

With the finalists for the Carlaw Ogston Composition Competition, 2016.

In addition to my activity as a composer, I am passionate about teaching composition. If you are interested in taking composition lessons, or would like to hear more about it, I would love to hear from you! 

My teaching experience ranges from lecture halls with fifty-seven students to one-on-one sessions. I am currently an instructor at Michigan Technological University, remotely teaching private composition and music theory lessons. I also taught music theory remotely during the 2020-2021 school year. As a teaching assistant at the University of Aberdeen, I also taught second and third-year composition, music history, choral arranging, and an elective course I developed on the life and works of George Crumb. I have also led composition and improvisation exercises in other group circumstances, such as Superior String Alliance’s summer camp. My composition students have ranged from high school to post-MM level.

I have also worked with composers in other professional contexts. For instance, in my time as artistic director for Spectrum New Music Ensemble, I helped bring thirteen diverse world premieres by student composers to life. Throughout this process, I worked with the students on developing professional skills in composition, such as proper score and part preparation, working directly with instrumentalists, and speaking publicly about their work. I have also worked as a copyist and proofread many scores for fellow composers.

I currently have openings available for one-on-one composition lessons. This can take place via Zoom, so lessons can take place from the comfort of your own home. I have taught composition remotely since before the COVID-19 pandemic. I am also available for music theory tutoring.

Discussions can cover any range of topics, from the creative process to developing your compositional style to professional issues. I tend to start discussions by talking through the student’s creative process, and identifying and building upon their own personal musical tendencies and strengths. I am also very happy to set specific compositional tasks to encourage creativity through parameters, which many of my students have found quite valuable. However, recognizing that everyone’s processes and styles are different, I aim to keep composition lessons as student-directed as possible.

Send me an email to enquire further about rates and scheduling.  

I also teach beginner piano, both virtually and in-person for students here in the Saint Paul area. Again, contact me for further information.