The ability to express oneself 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 keyboard, guitar, and ukulele. For students with no experience on an instrument, I highly recommend beginning with keyboard. I do teach adults as well, and other instruments 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 also 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 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, I offer lessons in person on Mondays in Marblemount, Wednesdays in Sedro-Woolley, and Thursdays in Concrete.
For in-person lessons, I teach three Rounds of lessons a year — each Round is between 10 and 13 weeks long, and 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 Winter 2024 Round is scheduled for 12 weeks from January 8th thru March 28th (recital on March 30th), our Spring 2024 Round is scheduled for 12 weeks from April 8th thru June 27th (recital on June 29th), and our Fall 2024 Round is scheduled for 13 weeks from September 9th thru December 12th (no lessons the week of Thanksgiving, recital on December 14th).
Lessons are $30 and last for approximately 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. Families make three payments, with the first payment due before lessons begin to secure the student’s time, the second payment due on week four, and the third payment due on week eight. Late start students will be prorated, as appropriate. I accept cash, CashApp, and Venmo. I apologize for the inconvenience, but I no longer accept checks as they have proven to be problematic for us.
THE ONLINE LESSONS FINE PRINT:
I offer online lessons on Tuesdays from 2:00pm to 7:00pm. Lessons are $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 must be received before the end of the current month.
In 2024, I will be teaching online lessons from January 9th thru June 11th, and September 10th thru December 10th. Online students can start lessons at any point in the month. At least two weeks notice is required when discontinuing.
Click here to listen to a few sample songs from my students, sign up for lessons, or check out my records!