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Are you interested in studying music theory with StudioDiPaolo? Well, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone with more online-specific music theory teaching experience whose studio is open to non-university communities. Here's what I offer:
A bit more about me as a theorist:
Nicole DiPaolo has achieved PhD candidacy in music theory at Indiana University, where she was an Associate Instructor for over five years and remains an Adjunct Lecturer online. She also holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a master's from IU. Ms. DiPaolo's previous conference presentations span over 400 years of tonality (from Giovanni Gabrieli to Rachmaninoff) and have been presented in the US and internationally. Her articles have been published in the Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy, Malaysian Music Journal, and MOSAIC: Journal of Music Research. Her other theoretical interests include music theory pedagogy; perception and cognition; form and phrase structure; partimento and schema theory; and the Romantic-era composer Giovanni Sgambati.
In addition to her IU and private teaching duties, Ms. DiPaolo is the Principal Theory Teacher at Liberty Park Music, where she creates and publishes video-based theory curricula covering music literacy, introductory music theory, and ABRSM theory exam prep course materials. Students interested in learning early-stage theory but whose Internet is not strong enough for real-time music theory lessons are encouraged to subscribe to LPM's pre-recorded video library, which covers (to date) the materials taught in a typical first-semester college music theory course for liberal arts students.
"This term I got a really good grade in Theory and I'm really happy to study with you and thanks so much!"
-C., Conservatory Music Theory Student
"While pursuing my PhD in musicology, Nicole DiPaolo and I worked together to prepare for my minor field exams in Music Theory. Among the subjects we covered were 18th-century counterpoint, Brahms’s harmony, tonal analysis, and form, all courses I had taken at the graduate level during my coursework. I found Nicole’s instruction helpful, practical, and well-paced, and in part due to the assistance she provided with my review process and study materials, I passed all my written and oral exams in Music Theory. Nicole is very personable and was always willing to take on any teaching challenge I presented to her, even though she was still pursuing PhD coursework herself. She is also a very fine pianist and sight-read through all of the pieces I brought her that she didn’t already know so that we could analyze them by ear as well as on paper. I am glad to have had the opportunity to study with Nicole, and I feel that our work together was an important part of my exam preparation process."
-H., PhD Candidate in Musicology
Does Studio DiPaolo seem like a good fit? If so, CLICK HERE to start your music-making journey!
- Independent study or college course tutoring at all levels, from blank-slate introductions to doctoral minor field exam preparation (such as exams that DMA pre-candidates would take).
- Extensive experience as the longtime online instructor for Indiana University's introductory music theory for nonmajors course.
- Experience as a former in-person Associate Instructor (2008-2018) for every core music theory and aural skills course that Indiana University Jacobs School of Music undergraduates take (MUS-T151, 152, 251, 252, and 351 for written theory and MUS-T132, 231, 232, and 331 for aural skills) as well as graduate review aural skills.
- A specialty in teaching Galant schemata (two-voiced stock phrases that 18th and 19th-century composers were themselves trained to memorize and use to string together their compositions), which provides much quicker and historically accurate results than traditional part-writing does when students wish to compose in older styles. This teaching approach is only offered at a select few universities.
- A specialty in teaching tonal grammar with partimenti and solfeggi (single-line "sketches" from 18th-century Italian teachers that would teach typical tonal patterns and ask the student to fill in the missing outer voice, as well as inner voices, creating a complete composition in the moment and often improvising it at the keyboard).
- Are you wondering just what "partimento" and "schema" mean for you and your musical journey? Click Here to find out!
- Experience in creating ABRSM music theory exam preparation courses for Liberty Park Music (through Grade 5).
- The option of taking introductory music theory lessons via the pre-recorded videos at Liberty Park Music ( www.libertyparkmusic.com/learn-music-theory/ ) if the student's Internet connection and/or financial situation don't allow for live lessons.
- Extensive experience teaching neurodivergent students as well as in "thrice exceptional" student situations; that is, students who are gifted, neurodivergent (typically ADHD, autistic, dyslexic, or something related), and also studying music theory in their second or other language (usually non-native English speakers studying at US conservatories). Working with such students is often beyond even tenured professors' expertise and comfort levels, and particularly if the student is not fully diagnosed or can't access diagnostic resources, the university may be legally unable to offer the needed accommodations, making an outside private tutoring arrangement most feasible for that student.
- Smart lesson scheduling for ADHD and autistic students who are still in full-day school: scheduling lessons during earlier times of the day or on non-school days can prevent the sensory overload and burnout, as well as medication withdrawal symptoms, that such students are prone to experiencing after school hours. Such students receive priority scheduling for my Sunday afternoon slots.
- Group sessions as requested; however, I recommend adding one half hour per additional person when requesting group theory instruction/tutoring if it's not an introductory class.
A bit more about me as a theorist:
Nicole DiPaolo has achieved PhD candidacy in music theory at Indiana University, where she was an Associate Instructor for over five years and remains an Adjunct Lecturer online. She also holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a master's from IU. Ms. DiPaolo's previous conference presentations span over 400 years of tonality (from Giovanni Gabrieli to Rachmaninoff) and have been presented in the US and internationally. Her articles have been published in the Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy, Malaysian Music Journal, and MOSAIC: Journal of Music Research. Her other theoretical interests include music theory pedagogy; perception and cognition; form and phrase structure; partimento and schema theory; and the Romantic-era composer Giovanni Sgambati.
In addition to her IU and private teaching duties, Ms. DiPaolo is the Principal Theory Teacher at Liberty Park Music, where she creates and publishes video-based theory curricula covering music literacy, introductory music theory, and ABRSM theory exam prep course materials. Students interested in learning early-stage theory but whose Internet is not strong enough for real-time music theory lessons are encouraged to subscribe to LPM's pre-recorded video library, which covers (to date) the materials taught in a typical first-semester college music theory course for liberal arts students.
"This term I got a really good grade in Theory and I'm really happy to study with you and thanks so much!"
-C., Conservatory Music Theory Student
"While pursuing my PhD in musicology, Nicole DiPaolo and I worked together to prepare for my minor field exams in Music Theory. Among the subjects we covered were 18th-century counterpoint, Brahms’s harmony, tonal analysis, and form, all courses I had taken at the graduate level during my coursework. I found Nicole’s instruction helpful, practical, and well-paced, and in part due to the assistance she provided with my review process and study materials, I passed all my written and oral exams in Music Theory. Nicole is very personable and was always willing to take on any teaching challenge I presented to her, even though she was still pursuing PhD coursework herself. She is also a very fine pianist and sight-read through all of the pieces I brought her that she didn’t already know so that we could analyze them by ear as well as on paper. I am glad to have had the opportunity to study with Nicole, and I feel that our work together was an important part of my exam preparation process."
-H., PhD Candidate in Musicology
Does Studio DiPaolo seem like a good fit? If so, CLICK HERE to start your music-making journey!
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Home | About | Tuition/Info | FAQ | Piano | Theory | Partimento | Composition | Accompanying | Consulting for Teachers | Media | Shop | Contact/Enroll