PhD composer and college professor teaches music theory, composition, and related skills in person (NYC) or remotely.

I had the privilege of being a student in David Wolfson's class, and I cannot express enough how impactful his teaching was on my college experience. I have always struggled with test-taking and found music theory particularly challenging, but instead of letting me fall behind, he went above and beyond to ensure I succeeded.
He took the time to truly understand where I was struggling and provided the support I needed that is often missing in a large classroom setting. He spent extra time with me during his office hours, patiently breaking down complex concepts and providing tools that helped me grasp the material. His dedication and willingness to go the extra mile not only improved my understanding of music theory but also boosted my confidence as a student.
David Wolfson's is an exceptional educator who genuinely cares about his students’ success, and I am deeply grateful for the time and effort he invested in helping me grow. I can confidently say without his help I wouldn't be the teacher I am today.

David made musicianship & ear training super digestible and enjoyable! He trains in a way that relates music theory to everyday life and therefore makes it accessible. He is also very straightforward and his style of teaching is easy to understand. Would highly recommend!

I took David’s musicianship class at Hunter College after starting music theory in my mid-20s, with no formal musical training and absolutely no faith in my ability to ever sight-sing. Somehow, through his methodical and steady teaching, I ended up feeling not just competent, but confident. David has a rare mix of clarity, humor, and presence. His pacing was spot-on: always challenging, but never overwhelming, with very clear goals, and always grounded in the real progress of his students. I looked forward to his classes, not just because I was learning, but because he brought that kind of sharp, alive energy you can’t fake. I’m genuinely grateful I got to learn from him.  

“David is one of the most exceptional music theory teachers I’ve had the pleasure of learning from. His approach to teaching is incredibly effective and also deeply engaging. What really sets him apart is his ability to take complex concepts such as scales, chord progressions, and harmonic analysis to break them down into digestible pieces that make sense. What I particularly appreciate is how patient and approachable he is. He encourages, is receptive to questions and makes sure no student feels lost in the learning process. He’s a phenomenal teacher to work with!

If I had to single out one professor in my 5-6 years at Hunter as someone who really, truly exemplified every notable attribute that contributes to being a successful educator, I would single out David Wolfson. He's thorough, honest, and he truly cares about each and every student. I took musicianship/ear training 1-4, 1,2 and 3 being with Wolfson and my biggest criticism is that he didn't teach the 4th unit. Not only were his in-person lectures engaging, but he also thrived in the face of adversity during the COVID-19 remote learning era. I had him for both in-person/remote and regardless of the setting, without him I wouldn't be the musician I am today.

David was my professor at Hunter College for three consecutive semesters. My experience as his student was a great one, since his classes were structured in a way that allowed students plenty of time to practice and ask questions. If something wasn't quite working, he introduced new ways of approaching the subject for those who were struggling with the material. He is a fair grader, and if a student expressed a desire to do some more practice on their own time, he would provide supplemental material to work from at home. By the time I completed my studies with him, I truly felt that I was a better musician by the end of it. I would recommend him to any prospective music student, no matter what skill level they're at!

I have been studying musical composition of various types with David (Dr. David Wolfson) for nearly 5 years. David is that rare combination of professional who is not only incredibly knowledgeable about the field in which he works, but is also naturally gifted at communicating that knowledge to his students in a way that is immediately understandable and impactful. Added to that is David’s marvelous patience. Although I was a complete novice when I started my work with David, he was none-the-less willing to patiently explain even rudimentary concepts to me in such a way that was neither condescending nor impatient. While David is an accomplished and recognized professional in his area of musical expertise, he is still willing to be humble enough to work even with beginners. He is completely conscientious both in his preparation of, and in the execution of his lessons. In the nearly 5 years that we have been working together, he has never had to cancel a lesson, and when other life-events precluded us to meet on a set date/time, he was more than willing to work with me to organize an alternative appointment. In short, I would recommend David to anyone who is interested in broadening their musical horizons, and those who engage his services will soon realize that they are working with a consummate and talented professional.

I've been learning under David's guidance for several years. He goes above and beyond and is prepared, knowledgable, attentive, and brilliant. David is a one-of-a-kind teacher who not only has decades of experience but the emotional intelligence, adaptability, and humor to ensure students (like me) feel seen, respected, and inspired to continue learning. I couldn't recommend him more!