Dr. Will Pearson’sMusic Studio

Private lessons · Norfolk, Virginia + online

Dr. Will Pearson’s
Music Studio

A studio for the complete musician.

01

Play

Organ

Technique, repertoire, improvisation, and church musicianship.

02

Create

Composition

Ideas, craft, notation, orchestration, and music for media.

03

Understand

Theory & musicianship

Coursework, exam preparation, analysis, harmony, and ear training.

01 / Play

Organ

In person · Norfolk

A remarkable instrument to explore—and a practical new direction for a pianist.

The organ brings together keyboards, pedals, color, space, and the challenge of shaping an entire musical world by yourself. Prior piano experience is useful, but it is not required. Lessons take place primarily at Larchmont United Methodist Church in Norfolk; practice access may be arranged for enrolled students, subject to the church schedule.

Who it’s for

  • Pianists who want to add organ to their musical toolkit
  • Interested beginners of any age
  • Church musicians seeking greater confidence
  • Students considering further study

What we can work on

  • Keyboard and pedal technique
  • Coordination, repertoire, and registration
  • Hymn playing and accompaniment
  • Improvisation, service planning, and practical church musicianship

Where it can lead

Organ study can prepare you for regular or substitute church work, as well as weddings, funerals, and special services. It can also be a distinctive, rewarding musical practice in its own right.

Explore student repertoire Browse my performance archive
02 / Create

Composition

In person or online

Bring a finished score, a rough sketch, or simply the wish to start writing.

Lessons are available for complete beginners through experienced composers. My own work spans acoustic and electroacoustic concert music, improvisation, and film scoring; students are not expected to adopt a single style or method.

Who it’s for

  • Musicians who want to write a first piece
  • High-school or college students building a portfolio
  • Composers seeking feedback, structure, or momentum
  • Experienced students developing a particular project or aspect of craft

What we can work on

  • Developing ideas into complete pieces
  • Form, harmony, rhythm, and counterpoint
  • Instrumentation, orchestration, and notation
  • Electroacoustic music, improvisation, and scoring for film or media
  • Revision, rehearsal preparation, scores, and parts

What it can support

Work toward a first completed piece, a portfolio or school application, an upcoming performance, or a regular composing practice. Theory, analysis, keyboard work, and ear training can enter when they help—but the piece remains central.

03 / Understand

Theory &
musicianship

In person or online

Work through the assignment in front of you—and understand the larger musical idea behind it.

As Coordinator of Music Theory and Aural Skills at Old Dominion University, I teach and oversee work across the undergraduate core. Sessions connect notation, listening, analysis, singing, and keyboard work according to the student’s needs.

Who it’s for

  • High-school students taking AP Music Theory or preparing for college study
  • College students in theory or aural-skills courses
  • Musicians preparing for placement or entrance exams
  • Performers and composers who want a stronger foundation
  • Adult musicians returning to theory or studying it for the first time

What we can work on

  • Harmony, counterpoint, form, and analysis
  • Ear training, dictation, and sight singing
  • Coursework and AP Music Theory preparation
  • Placement and entrance-exam preparation
  • Keyboard harmony, score reading, and general musicianship

How sessions can work

Book a 30- or 60-minute session for a particular topic, assignment, or exam. Sessions are arranged individually as needed and can solve an immediate problem or build skills over time.

Flexible formats

Focus on one area—
or work across several.

Weekly hour30 minutes organ
+ 30 minutes composition

The standard 60-minute tuition applies.

Occasional supplementWeekly organ
+ 30 minutes of theory

Book an individual theory session whenever it would be useful.

Within a lessonComposition
+ musicianship

Composition lessons can include theory, analysis, or ear training as needed.

Tuition

Clear, predictable
school-year tuition.

Weekly tuition covers 30 lessons from September through May and is divided into nine equal monthly payments. Students beginning later are prorated.

Start with a free 30-minute introduction. Available to prospective weekly organ and composition students.

FormatSubjectTuition
Weekly · 30 minutesOrgan or composition$150 / month ($45 per lesson)
Weekly · 60 minutesOrgan, composition, or a 30/30 split$267 / month (approximately $80 per lesson)
Individual · 30 minutesTheory & musicianship$35 / session
Individual · 60 minutesTheory & musicianship$70 / session

Optional summer lessons are arranged individually. Music, books, software, and other necessary materials—such as organ shoes—are purchased separately when needed.

Your teacher

Dr. Will
Pearson

Composer · Organist · Teacher

Will Pearson01 / 06
  • Professor of Music and Coordinator of Music Theory and Aural Skills at Old Dominion University
  • Organist at Larchmont United Methodist Church

I have been teaching music for 14 years and playing the organ for more than 25. My work has always moved among performance, composition, improvisation, and music theory—areas I see as complementary parts of becoming a well-rounded musician.

My church-music experience began at age ten, when I joined the professional boy choir at the Cathedral of All Saints in Albany, home to one of the oldest boy-choir programs in the United States. I later served there as an organ scholar and have worked as a church organist since my early teens.

As a keyboard player, I perform a wide range of repertoire on organ, piano, and harpsichord, both in concerts and as an accompanist. I have performed harpsichord with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. As Organist at Larchmont United Methodist Church, I play for services, accompany the choir, and improvise at the organ each week.

I have taught music theory, aural skills, composition, and improvisation at the college level for many years. I have also developed collaborative student programs, including DePauw University’s Contemporary Ensemble and Art Walk Interdisciplinary Festival, both of which I served as founding faculty advisor.

My own work as a composer includes acoustic and electroacoustic concert music as well as film scores for Aeon Magazine. I hold DMA and MM degrees in Composition and Music Theory from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a BMus in Composition from SUNY Purchase. I also studied organ performance and historical keyboards at the Eastman School of Music.

Film scoreMoon Drawings for AeonScore videoCrazy Weather for chamber orchestraPortfolioMore scores and recordings

I live in Norfolk with my partner, Carly, and our dog—also named Carly. Outside music, I enjoy playing chess, watching NBA basketball, cooking, and making cocktails.

Start here

Tell me what you’d like to study.

Prospective weekly organ and composition students may begin with a free 30-minute introductory meeting. Theory tutoring can be booked directly as a paid session.

willpearsonmusic@gmail.com
What would you like to explore? Choose one or combine several.

Your inquiry will be sent directly to Will. For students under 18, a parent or guardian should submit the form.

The practical details

Studio policies

Scheduling and formats +

Weekly students enroll for 30 lessons from September through May. Organ lessons are primarily in person in Norfolk; composition and theory may be in person or online. Afternoons and evenings are the primary lesson times, with some weekend availability.

Cancellations and makeups +

Please give at least 24 hours’ notice. Up to two makeup lessons are available per semester; if a timely makeup cannot be scheduled, a credit is issued. Emergencies are handled case by case. Teacher cancellations are always rescheduled or credited.

Tuition and withdrawal +

Monthly tuition reserves a regular weekly time. Please give 15 days’ written notice before ending lessons. Individual theory and musicianship sessions are paid by appointment.

Practice, technology, and materials +

Organ practice access is arranged individually. Online students need a reliable connection and a device suitable for sharing scores and audio. Students purchase music, books, software, and other necessary materials—such as organ shoes—recommended for their course of study.

Download the complete studio agreement