The ability to express oneself through music is an incredible gift and a invaluable tool for navigating life’s joys and sorrows. The time I spend teaching your child is about more than learning to play an instrument or writing and recording songs — it’s about building a foundation for a lifetime of creativity + self expression.
During lessons, I’ll be empowering your child to follow their great ideas, helping give voice to their inspiration, teaching them tools + techniques on their instrument, and nurturing their God-given creativity.
I offer lessons for children ages five and up on piano/keyboard, guitar, banjo, and ukulele. For students with no experience on an instrument, I highly recommend beginning with keyboard. I do teach adults as well. Younger students and other instruments are on a case by case basis.
GOALS + OBJECTIVES:
My two main goals in teaching are for my students to fall in love with making music, and for them to gain the skills necessary for music to truly be accessible to them.
As a musician, accessibility doesn’t mean only being able to play when I have sheet music or a chord chart in front of me — accessibility looks like being able to teach myself to play songs I hear that inspire me, being able to write my own songs + express what is in my heart, and being able to collaborate + make music with other musicians. Here’s how I work to accomplish those goals with my students:
+ I teach my students how to play their instruments using their own passions as motivation. I allow what is currently inspiring each student to inform my approach with them, so that they are eager to learn from me and curious about exploring music between lessons without coercion.
An outdoor recital…
+ I teach my students how to develop simple song ideas into completed songs that they can record and share with others.
+ I teach my students how to teach themselves to play songs by ear as we explore the songs that inspire them together.
+ I teach my students how to collaborate with other musicians by normalizing making music together with them.
+ I take every opportunity to incorporate technique and theory, and when students express interest in learning classical pieces I work with them on reading sheet music as well.
Noah Star Weaver after a great hike in the North Cascades…
BACKGROUND + EXPERIENCE:
I’ve been teaching private music lessons since 2002, including 10 years of traditional lessons for all ages, many years of songwriting lessons for kids, and several seasons at the School of Rock in Seattle. I minored in Music and majored in European Studies with an emphasis in French at Seattle Pacific University. After SPU, I studied composition through Cornish with Janice Giteck, an American composer who studied under French composer Olivier Messiaen.
I’m a songwriter + musician who has been actively making music with my two bands since the 90’s — we’ve recorded 5 albums and several singles thus far, been on numerous tours in the US + Japan, and licensed songs domestically + abroad. I’ve also recorded over 50 original songs with my wife + child, and have played on various worship teams over the years. I continue to write a handful of songs each month, with worship being my heart + primary focus.
I currently work as a private music teacher, an organic farmer, and as the Minister of Prayer + Worship for a non-profit organization that provides resources + support for the poor + marginalized in Africa, India, and the Middle East. In the fall of 2022, I moved my family to my hometown of Marblemount, in the beautiful North Cascades, to teach music, farm, and live off the land!
My most recent background/fingerprint check was performed on 03/15/24 in the state of Washington, which confirmed that I am cleared to work with children. I am happy to provide proof of this clearance to any students or potential students, upon request.
THE IN-PERSON LESSONS FINE PRINT:
For in-person students who live in the Upper Skagit Valley, for the Fall 2024 Round I currently offer lessons in person on Mondays in Marblemount, in Concrete on Wednesdays, and in Sedro-Woolley on Thursdays.
For in-person lessons, I am switching to two Rounds of lessons a year, one in the fall and one in the Winter/Spring. The Fall 2024 Round runs from the second week in September through the second week in December, for a total of 14 weeks. The Fall Recital will be held on Saturday, December 14, at the Concrete Theatre. The Winter/Spring 2025 Round runs from the first full week in January through the second week in May, for a total of 18 weeks (no lessons the week of April 7, which is Spring Break for the local school districts). The Winter/Spring Recital will be tentatively held on May 17.
Each Round includes writing an original song (or learning a song of the student’s choice), instrument lessons, a live recording of the student playing their song at their final lesson, and the opportunity to play in the end-of-Round recital. After the Round is complete, I mix down each student’s recording(s) and send them a digital copy to share + a CD copy as a keepsake!
I have found that teaching in Rounds (as opposed to traditional, year round lessons) is motivating for both my students + myself. Much like a season of sports, it helps students focus on a clear goal, enables them to complete the season with a well earned sense of accomplishment, and is much easier on families due to the natural breaks between Rounds that coincide with the time off that the local school district provides. Our Spring 2024 Round runs for 12 weeks from April 8th thru June 27th (recital on June 29th), and our Fall 2024 Round is scheduled for 14 weeks from September 2nd thru December 12th (no lessons the week of Thanksgiving, recital on December 14th).
Lessons are $30 for the remainder of 2024, and last for roughly 30 minutes, beginning promptly at the top and bottom of the hour (2:00, 2:30, 3:00, etc). For in-person lessons, payment for the entire season is required, even if the student takes a week off due to sickness or travel. A $60 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your timeslot, and families make monthly payments, with the first payment due at or before the first lesson, and subsequent payments due at the first lesson of the month for the months that follow. Late start students are welcome and will be prorated. I appreciate cash and also accept CashApp and Venmo. I no longer accept checks.
THE ONLINE LESSONS FINE PRINT:
I offer online lessons as they fit into my schedule on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays between the hours of 2:00pm to 7:00pm. New students are welcome to start lessons at any point in the month. Lessons are currently $30 for approximately 30 minutes, and begin at the top and bottom of the hour (2:00, 2:30, 3:00, etc). Lessons take place over Zoom, which enables me to begin the lesson on time, even if the student is late. My business Administrator will invoice each student monthly via CashApp or Venmo. Payment for the coming month is due before the end of the current month. Should the student wish to discontinue lessons, a minimum of two weeks (14 days) notice is necessary to allow Noah to wrap things up properly, and to avoid no-notice fees.
Click here to listen to a few sample songs from my students, sign up for lessons, or check out my records!