Our Story
Owners Stephen and Preston met at a dog park, of all places, that they both frequented. Conversations between them ranged from life in Durham and the best places to take their young kids. After both of them expressed wanting career changes, Preston and Stephen discussed ideas for a unique musical play space where kids could explore music and sounds in new, fun ways.
Their ideas garnered great feedback from friends and family, who encouraged Preston and Stephen to launch a Kickstarter campaign to tap into their local community’s support; within six months the campaign raised $40,000 from over 300 donors, with donations ranging from $10-10,000. After finding a commercial space that fit their needs, coincidentally a former piano store that already had lesson rooms built out, Notasium Durham was born! The concept was a hit, and three years later Notasium expanded with a new location in Cary, N.C.
Now, Notasium is ready to share its vision and music with future Notemakers in new communities.
What is Notasium?
Play and Social Gathering Place
We are the only music school that offers an immersive, musical play experience for children ages 3 and up. Whether used as a birthday party venue or a place for families to join during open play, our play space gives children a safe place to meet and play with other kids while simultaneously introducing them to the joy and wonder of music in a fun way. Our custom built, musical (yes, musical!) play structures are unique to Notasium and provide children with a fun, social experience of both kinesthetic and musical learning. You will not find this atmosphere anywhere else. It’s truly a space where music meets play!
Engaging Group Classes
Our play space is just the beginning to our customers’ long-term relationship with a Notasium. Once their child has played in our play space for a while, they’re then ready to try one of our group classes, online or in-person. We design our own lesson plans and curriculum into 8-12 week courses for children ages 4-7. Here children can learn the basics of music on piano, guitar, ukulele, or vocals in a low-pressure and fun environment with their peers.
Private Music Lessons
Private Lessons are the next step in growing as a musician at Notasium. After being introduced to the power of music in our immersive, musical play space, our super-fun birthday parties, and specially-crafted group lessons and curriculum, every Notasium kid is more than prepared for individual instruction. Our gifted and professional instructors combined with our in-house lesson plans, guidelines, educational resources, regular recitals and support staff create a comprehensive school system that has proven to retain and develop students into young musicians over the course of many years.
Why Notasium is the best place for kids to learn about music
During some point in your life, you may have heard the expression, “music is a language.” Just like any other language, humans can use music to communicate. We use music to express thoughts, ideas and emotions. Music is a very special language because it can be understood and enjoyed by anyone, at any age, from anywhere.
At Notasium, our philosophy is to teach music in the same manner in which we teach children how to speak their first language. Our approach ensures that children learn music in the most natural way possible. This makes learning music at Notasium easier and much more fun than traditional music teaching practices.
Why Choose a Notasium Franchise
Learn From Our Lead Notemakers
Preston O. Clarke
Preston Clarke has been a singer, songwriter and musician most of his life, starting his professional career with the indie rock trio St. Surreal in Los Angeles and then as a solo artist in New York City. He toured nationally in support of his CDs “LaneChange” and “Clarified” (Rabbit Ear) and performed his single “Thankless Job” on “The Late Late Show” with Craig Ferguson. He soon developed a passion for teaching music to children and started doing private lessons. In 2010 he moved to Durham, NC with his wife and two daughters to be closer to her family. His passion for teaching continued as he started performing his version of music enrichment regularly for his daughter’s preschool, led them in a church children’s choir and then became lead instructor at the Rock ‘N Roll High School in Apex, NC where he taught private and group lessons for 3 years.
Stephen Norman-Scott
Stephen Norman-Scott is an artist-entrepreneur who founded CSupport Services, a web development, and Internet marketing company and has used his art degree to make the web a more beautiful and functional place. He has worked with small to medium-sized companies around the country helping them to grow their business and increase ROI in their marketing efforts. In addition to his business and marketing experience, he brings a similar passion for entrepreneurship and music enrichment for kids.
Aaron Piot
Aaron Piot is a Pittsburgh, PA native who received his degree in Music Education from West Virginia Wesleyan College. There, he was able to study the trumpet with a focus on Jazz under some of Pittsburgh’s finest musicians and teachers. New to the Triangle Area, he received his Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies from North Carolina Central University on a full scholarship. Aaron’s diverse musical background has enabled him to perform with top-notch wedding bands, salsa groups, orchestras, and various other jazz ensembles. In addition to the trumpet, he is also a competent pianist and guitarist. As a teacher, he has experience working with instrumentalists and vocalists from K-12.
