A Danish composer specialised in teaching composition.
I am a Danish composer who has become deeply specialised in teaching composition. My work is based in Copenhagen and in the Danish talent-development environment, but I also teach online for students who want serious, precise work with scores, sketches, musical thought and theory.
Education and teaching environment.
I studied composition at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen. Since 2017 I have taught at MGK Sjælland, and from 2018 I have been responsible for the composition line at MGK Hovedstaden.
MGK is Denmark’s pre-academy talent-development programme for young musicians, feeding the Royal Academies. Alongside it, I teach independent students — online and in person — who want serious work with their own music.
Each year, Koda — Denmark’s society for composers — funds aspiring composers to study privately with a professional composer of their own choosing. Across 2023, 2024 and 2025, I have been the most frequently chosen teacher in the scheme.
Source: Koda Kultur
Where I differ from most teachers.
Honest, not gentle
I won’t pretend every idea is good.
I teach less softly than many of my Nordic colleagues. The Scandinavian school tends to be gentle and in some instances too lenient, producing students who come away believing every idea is equally good — that the intention behind a piece matters more than the piece itself. I work the other way. When a work probably should not be written, I will say so early, while there is still time to spend it better.
Begin early
Before the style hardens.
Most teachers meet a composer after years of writing alone, by which time a personal style has often set a little too early to move. I would rather come in before that. To my mind composition belongs inside the life of an instrument, the piano above all; Bach wrote his inventions for a pupil’s imagination as much as their hands. I even teach piano teachers how to notice a young composer and coax out the first idea.
Teaching philosophy
I believe anyone can learn to compose, if the wish is sincere.
The craft itself is learnable. Not unlike chess: the rules come quickly, and the long work is simply becoming better and better — by writing a great deal, then turning back to understand what you actually did. The one thing I cannot give you is the wish. But when the wish is real, a single fragment is enough for us to begin.
Who studies with me
Seriousness, not level.
My students range widely. The criterion is seriousness — the willingness to work precisely and to revise. Adults should not be embarrassed by beginning composition later.
- Curious beginners
- Adults returning to music
- Young composers
- Conservatory applicants
- Advanced students
- Independent composers
- Institutions
What students say.
- ★★★★★
I have enjoyed being taught by Daniel in everything from Palestrina style/counterpoint to orchestration for symphony orchestra — both in person, at seminars, and a good deal of 1:1 online. Daniel manages to find the right level, both theoretical and human/psychological, so that you always learn and move forward. I can confidently give him — and his teaching methods — my best recommendations.
Jakob Heidelberg
- ★★★★★
Daniel is an extremely attentive, flexible and skilled teacher of composition. Either if you're just getting started or want to polish your compositional style, Daniel can help you. He can also teach you counterpoint and orchestration, which will strengthen your compositions. If you're not able to meet with him on location, you can take the lessons online, which works totally fine! Very recommendable!
August Hauskov
- ★★★★★
I started my composition studies with Daniel in 2017, and was with him for 6 years before I started at the conservatory in Copenhagen. During my time with Daniel, I really grew as a composer — not only because the knowledge I received was great, but because he has the courage to challenge the student on their preconceived views. This in my opinion is one of the most important qualities in a teacher. I can warmly recommend Daniel as your composition teacher.
Jonas Wiinblad
- ★★★★★
It’s a major help to get tailored teaching online, especially as a composer living in Iceland. Daniel is both flexible and helpful when it comes to planning and managing the distance issue. The lessons themselves are easy to follow as we use a share-screen function where we both see the same material. I have asked Daniel for lessons through many years now. Highly recommend.
Stefan Sand
- ★★★★★
Daniel is a good and trustworthy composition teacher. My warmest recommendations go out to all interested students — from beginner to advanced.
Pelle Nyhuus
- ★★★★★
Daniel is a superb composition teacher! He is very engaged and knowledgeable, and he brings good tools that help you develop as a composer. A warm recommendation from me!
Kristian Riisager
- ★★★★★
I am lucky to have Daniel as a teacher — he is a teacher by vocation. Always giving the right tip, very supportive. I had online classes with him; it’s very convenient that he’s always in touch. So just bring your ideas to him, and he is the right person who will give you the tools to make it real.
Paraskeva K.
- ★★★★★
Daniel Fladmose is an outstanding composition teacher. He always has insightful observations. He has helped me grow as a composer by guiding me in exactly the right direction and encouraging me to develop my own musical voice. His lessons also work very well online, making it easy to schedule sessions regardless of location. I would highly recommend Daniel to any young composer looking to improve their skills and gain valuable guidance.
Bertram E. Larsen
- ★★★★★
I have been studying with Daniel since 2019, if not earlier, and my experience has been consistently positive. A truly kind, wise, and highly knowledgeable teacher. After every lesson, I leave with valuable insights and practical knowledge that I can immediately apply. It is absolutely worth the very fair price — and much more. Looking for a composition teacher? Daniel is the person to go to.
Bjarke Tan
- ★★★★★
I have had private composition lessons with Daniel Fladmose for a good six months now, and it has been a wonderful experience. In that short time I have gotten an enormous amount out of the teaching.
Gustav R.
- ★★★★★
I have always wanted to become a composer — not only because music is enormously meaningful to me, but because being able to master it is a wonderful ability.
Jonas F.
- ★★★★★
Daniel is a wonderfully dedicated teacher with a clear, deep passion and love for teaching. I have had great joy from both the piano and the composition lessons with Daniel, which he plainly masters at an extremely high level. In short, it is worth every penny to study with Daniel — you come away with far more than you would dare hope for.
Jacob Julius T.
Facebook recommendation
- ★★★★★
Daniel is an incredibly skilled and dedicated piano teacher, who knows how to teach students at their own individual level and is at the same time very good at motivating them — including the students who have not been playing for very long. And he is immensely kind, funny, and even good at magic tricks!
Pernille Wuttke
Facebook recommendation
Reviews from Google and Facebook, some translated from Danish. See the originals on Google and Facebook.
- MGK Hovedstaden
- MGK Sjælland
- Danish Chamber Players
- Frederiksberg Festspil
- Lydbrøndene
- Frederiksberg Fonden
- KODA Kultur
- Nordic Music Days
As a composer
Teaching as part of compositional life.
In recent years, teaching has taken much of my artistic energy, and I have come to understand it as part of my compositional life rather than something separate from it.
My own work is rooted in tonal thinking and a classical, score-based imagination — concert pieces written for orchestra, choir, chamber ensembles and solo voices.
My broader catalogue, earlier projects and Danish-language profile are gathered at danielfladmose.com, my long-standing Danish site.
Selected works
- Concerto for marimba and orchestra
- Den mørke vind — for orchestra and choir
- Den Blindfødte — cantata for baritone, choir, organ and orchestra
- Conscientia — chamber opera for solo soprano and sinfonietta
Send a score, sketch or question.
If it makes sense, we can begin with a free, informal first conversation before deciding whether lessons, score feedback or another format is the right next step.
Get in touch