You don’t need a long resume to join, but this isn’t for beginners either. It’s for composers who feel a deep pull toward this work. Maybe you’ve had a few performances, maybe you’re just starting to take your music seriously—but you know this is what you’re meant to do. If you’ve got the foundation and the drive, we’ll help you turn that into real momentum: more performances, stronger music, and a clearer sense of who you are as a composer.

Yes. Whether you're applying to competitive undergrad or grad programs, your scores need two things to stand out: artistic identity and professional clarity. These schools receive hundreds of applications — and only a small handful make it through. Several of Saad’s students have earned scholarships and been accepted into top programs like USC, NYU, Northwestern, Peabody, and Vanderbilt — and many of them started with little to no formal training in concert music. If you’re serious about getting in, we’ll help you submit a portfolio that’s unmistakably you — and strong enough to compete at the highest level.

We work with composers writing concert music, no matter your aesthetic. Whether your style leans modernist, minimalist, or something uniquely your own, the goal is the same: music that gets commissioned, performed and recognized. If you're still finding your voice, we’ll help you uncover it and shape it into something that gets noticed.

Nope. And honestly, please don’t. This isn’t about copying anyone. It’s about refining your voice and writing music that gets performed, commissioned, and recognized because it sounds like you. You will be using Saad's system though, so you can write faster and more efficiently.

Yes. Many of our members hold advanced degrees but still struggle with consistency or clarity in their writing process. The Composer’s Brain system provides structured exercises, feedback loops, and strategic guidance designed to help you build a cohesive compositional practice, regardless of where you studied or how long ago.

Absolutely. Many members are parents, educators, and working professionals. The program is designed with flexibility in mind, offering asynchronous materials, regular live office hours, and ongoing support that works around your schedule. You don’t need to pause your life to make progress.

Private lessons can be great! Many of my own students start that way. But here’s the catch: private study often happens in isolation. There’s rarely a long-term system, minimal support between lessons, and very little community accountability. That’s why the Composer’s Brain System is different. You’re not just meeting once a week and then being left on your own. You’re surrounded by serious composers working toward similar goals, receiving feedback, support, and mentorship every step of the way. Many of our members say that the community itself is the most valuable part of the entire experience.

This isn’t a university course, not even close. (Saad would know... he teaches two days a week at Columbia.) There are no grades, no pointless busywork, and definitely no lectures where someone talks at you for an hour like it’s Music History 101. Instead, you get focused mentorship built around one thing: helping you create music that actually gets commissioned, performed, and recognized. You’ll be free to develop your craft without the usual academic constraints and still get high-level feedback, structure, and support from someone who knows what it takes in the real world.

Many of our composers have gone on to land commissions, performances, and residencies after applying what they learned here. We can't promise outcomes, but if you do the work, you’ll have the tools that will enable you to significantly improve your craft and career as a composer.

Yes. We’ve helped composers craft compelling bios, artist statements, CVs, grant applications, and press materials that actually sound like them, while still hitting the professional tone institutions expect. Whether you’re applying for a residency, a grant, a competition, or want to tighten your online presence, we’ll give you direct feedback and real-world examples. Saad’s reviewed hundreds of these over the years and we’ll make sure yours stands out and feels authentic to you.

You’ll get direct, personalized feedback from Saad throughout the entire program — not just at the beginning or during a few scheduled calls. Saad is active in the private community, giving specific feedback on your music- and career-related questions through custom written and video responses every single day.

You’ll be working with Saad directly. There’s a small support team in place — including Ambra (who you'll speak to during onboarding), Nicky (our assistant mentor who leads 2 of the 8 live calls each month), and Theodore (who manages community-related support). But when it comes to musical guidance, feedback, and mentorship, Saad is your main point of contact. He’s built this program around personal connection — and he knows the music of every Composer’s Brain fellow intimately.

By the end of the initial 120-day mentorship period, you’ll have the foundation to keep growing on your own or you can choose to stay in the community for continued support. Either way, you’ll keep lifetime access to all current and future pre-recorded and written content, and the progress you’ve made will stay with you throughout your career.

When you sign up, you’ll get immediate access to the content, the support, and the composer community so you can start making progress right away.

*Monday's at 4pm EST: 3 times per month = Saad; 1 time per month = Nicky

*Wednesday's at 2pm EST: 3 times per month = Saad; 1 time per month = Nicky

*Subject to change for holidays, illness, or personal matters.

Every live call is recorded and added to our video library, so you can catch up anytime. You can also submit questions that we'll answer, even if you're not there live.

The live calls aren’t required—but they’re one of the most valuable parts of the program. It’s your chance to share your music directly with us and get live feedback alongside other serious composers who are just as committed as you are.

We don’t use a traditional syllabus like you’d get in school — and that’s intentional. This isn’t a passive course where you spend hours watching pre-recorded videos (though we do have hundreds of hours of content Saad will personally point you toward based on your interests). This is a mentorship program where your growth as a composer shapes the curriculum. That said, we do follow a clear, structured process rooted in two core pillars: Craft and Career. It is our philosophy that a fulfilling life as a composer involves developing both your craft and career side-by-side. Our resource library ranges from beginner to advanced topics, but everything is guided through weekly live coaching and personalized support from Saad — from refining your score for performance to navigating real-world commissions.

Yes, the first 5 hours of the pre-recorded portion of the course are available for free on Saad's YouTube channel here.

This program is an investment comparable to the cost of one single conservatory-level course, but instead of general coursework, you’ll be adding music to your catalogue while positioning your music for professional performances and commissions. We’ll walk you through full pricing and flexible payment options during your free consultation.