Music has always been my passion. As I grew older, my thirst for knowledge about how music works grew steadily over the years. I have been studying music theory for the past twelve years. I taught mus... ic theory at the college level (freshman and sophomore) for three years and I am one semester away from graduating with my Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition with a Doctoral Minor in Music Theory. I take a stripped down approach to teaching music theory. There is no need for lines of prose and opaque language in order to understand how music functions technically. Instead, I use mainly models and examples that demonstrate a specific topic. In conjunction with listening to said examples and a base level of aural skills, I aim to make what is sometimes considered to be a difficult subject more transparent and easier to understand. Above all, I possess a burning desire to help students succeed. Music is a universal and universally loved language. Whether it is someone who is just starting to learn music theory to get a jump start on their AP Music Theory course or someone who just wants to understand why their favorite music sounds the way it does, I am committed to helping students learn and thrive in their musical endeavors.read more

Greetings! My name is Jacob Wylie and I am a native of Greer, South Carolina. I am a candidate for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Composition at the University of South Carolina. I teach music t... heory, composition, and music history. My musical journey started at age 12 when I began drum set lessons. Since then, I have been trained professionally as a percussionist, composer, and theorist. I graduated from Furman University with my Bachelor Degree in Percussion Performance and Composition. In 2018, I graduated with my Master of Music Degree in Composition from the University of South Carolina. I have performed with many different ensembles (wind band, orchestra, jazz band, percussion ensemble, chamber groups, etc.) and have written a variety of works ranging from tonal choral pieces to improvised- and electronic-based experiments. Aside from music, teaching is another one of my passions. Nothing is more fulfilling than seeing students grow and thrive in the arts and in other aspects of their lives. I believe that a holistic approach to music learning, in addition to an example-based model, is most beneficial for students of all ages and diverse learning styles. Music does not need to be a subject that is difficult to understand. I aim to make composition, history, and theory transparent, easy to understand, and fun! In addition to music, I also love visual art, science, watching sports (NBA/NHL) and spending time with my three cats Cecil, Pipi, and Ollie.read more