Learn About Composition & Songwriting at MacPhail
Interested in beginning, developing, or mastering your songwriting skills or compositional techniques?
Instruction specifically designed for acoustic instruments or electronic platforms.
Whether you have written many songs and have professional aspirations or have no idea where to begin, MacPhail has a teaching artist or class that gives you the instruction, feedback, tools, and opportunities you need to realize your potential.
Ready to start learning? Find the option that’s right for you.
Individual Lessons
MacPhail provides music lessons and classes for 30+ instruments and voice. Offering piano, guitar, percussion, strings, and brass lessons in Minnesota or online.
Group Classes
Your musical journey doesn’t have to be a solo act. Learn, play, and grow – together. There’s power in making music as a group.
Opportunities to enhance your experience at MacPhail:
Summer Camps
Your soundtrack to summer starts here! From first notes to bold new musical goals, MacPhail Camps offer something for every young musician.
Music Production & Technology
Discover your unique sound. Explore the art and craft of music production in MacPHail’s professional studios.
Jazz
MacPhail Center for Music is proud to offer students exploration of the great Black American art-form, jazz.
“Composing and songwriting are powerful storytelling tools, that go deep into our subconscious. These musical stories shine a light on things we didn’t realize we felt or knew about ourselves and the world around us. As a teacher, it’s a real joy and privilege to support student writers as they develop their composition skills and create their musical worlds.”
Barbara Cohen, Composition for Film Score & Visual Media, Songwriting Teaching Artist
Meet Our Songwriting & Composition Faculty
Jeremy Hanson
Sarah Miller
David Kassler
“Composers are the musical architects of time. We invite our listeners to take a tour, one “room” at a time. All music students can benefit from studying composition. Students are encouraged to think about structures in new ways. Together, we explore timbre to we can fill each “room” with tapestries of sound that weave together thematic materials in creative ways. We study what other composers do to spur ourselves on. We follow our “crazy ideas” and see where they lead us.”
Sarah Miller, MacPhail Composition Teaching Artist
Lesson & Class Offerings
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Songwriters Lab Summer Camp: August 3-7
Discover your voice and share your story at our week-long Songwriting Lab at MacPhail! Designed for students 14 to 19, this program provides an inspiring and supportive environment to explore...
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Electronic Music Recording Arts Camp: July 20-24
Step into the world of music creation! Designed for ages 13–19, this hands-on camp gives young artists the chance to dive into music production, beat making, songwriting, singing, and DJing....
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Composition Camp: August 3-7
Unleash your creativity at our week-long Composition Camp, designed for young composers! This inspiring program offers students the opportunity to explore the art of music composition through hands-on writing sessions,...
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Summer Contemporary Music / EMRA Lessons – Chanhassen
Launched in Fall 2025, MacPhail’s Contemporary Music Program brings together decades of offerings into one program that expands opportunities for students of all ages. The Contemporary Music Program includes offerings...
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Summer Contemporary Music / EMRA Lessons – MPLS
Launched in Fall 2025, MacPhail’s Contemporary Music Program brings together decades of offerings into one program that expands opportunities for students of all ages. The Contemporary Music Program includes offerings...
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Summer Contemporary Music / EMRA Lessons – ONLINE
Launched in Fall 2025, MacPhail’s Contemporary Music Program brings together decades of offerings into one program that expands opportunities for students of all ages. The Contemporary Music Program includes offerings...
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Summer 2026 Introductory Lesson Package
Summer is a great time to start your musical journey at MacPhail! Our Introductory Lesson Package is designed for new students who are ready to explore music and begin lessons...
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Summer Contemporary Music / EMRA Lessons – Apple Valley
Launched in Fall 2025, MacPhail’s Contemporary Music Program brings together decades of offerings into one program that expands opportunities for students of all ages. The Contemporary Music Program includes offerings...
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Composition Lessons – Apple Valley
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Composition Lessons – Austin
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Composition Lessons – Minneapolis
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Composition Lessons – ONLINE
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Adult Summer Sound Series: Songwriting
Tap into your creativity and spend a few summer evenings writing songs alongside a community of fellow musicians. This four-evening workshop is designed for adult participants who want to explore...