Meet The Faculty

John Noel is a violinist, violist, educator, and orchestra director from Virginia. He began playing violin in 1998 and viola in 2004, later earning his degree in Viola Performance from Loyola University New Orleans. He has performed with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and the Richmond Symphony Orchestra. During his residency in New Orleans, John was an active part of the city’s music community as a performer, teacher, and founding member of the Prytania String Quartet. 

With many years of experience in music education, John has worked with students across the Southeast and Texas, including through his work with the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra, the Louisiana Academy of Performing Arts, and Universal Academy in Coppell, Texas, where he serves as Orchestra Director. His work has been recognized with honors including 2024 Outstanding Teacher and 2025 Program of the Year.

John is passionate about inspiring students of all ages and abilities to grow through strong technique, expressive musicianship, purposeful practice, and meaningful performance experiences. His musical interests extend beyond the classical tradition into Afro, Latin, Caribbean, and jazz music, which inspire his love of rhythm, improvisation, movement, community, and expressive storytelling.