A musician’s musician with 10+ years of professional experience, Noah’s abilities range across genres and disciplines. As a pianist he has had opportunities not only to perform but also to support directors in choral, orchestral, and theatrical rehearsal spaces with razor focus and a buoyant spirit. A life-long love for theater has given him experience in all levels of production and an understanding of how they all work together. Bringing purpose and professionalism to work, his skills as a pianist help to support his arranging and music directing.

Born in Montclair, New Jersey, Noah was raised in a musical family and expressed interest in pots and pans from the age of two. His parents and grandparents were his choir, the kitchen floor his podium. Not much has changed in the 20 plus years he’s spent cultivating a rich love for the art form. 

He spent his teenage years at the Center for Creative Arts in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he grew a love for theater and storytelling. Getting his first opportunities to Musical Direct for summer theater camps and his own high school, Noah regards those experiences as the birth of his artistic creativity. He followed this passion into a degree in music that gave him the freedom to explore his talent across theater, jazz, classical, and salsa. 

During his time in college, Noah studied and worked tirelessly, but maintained time to write his own music. He composed, arranged, and produced two original Latin Jazz songs that were performed by the MTSU Salsa Band. Releasing them under the name “Noah Russo,” he pays homage to his great-grandmother, an Italian immigrant and continuous inspiration for him. Since this release, he has worked as an arranger on many other projects including arrangements of Prince’s “Purple Rain” and the timeless jazz standard “You Go To My Head.”

Since graduating in 2023, Noah has worked as a professional musician in the Nashville metro area continuously. As a jazz pianist, he played at notable venues such as Rudy’s Jazz Room, Urban Cowboy, The Keeton Theater, The Velvet Room, and many others. He learned under greats such as Pat Coil, Matt Endahl, Logan Evan Thomas, Don Aliquo, and Julia Rich. Noah’s sound on the keyboard combines the touch of Bill Evans with Michel Camillo’s ferocity and Chick Corea’s imaginative melodies. 

As a Music Director, Noah has led over 10 productions across Middle Tennessee in less than 5 years. Favorite shows include Something Rotten (pit pictured R), School of Rock, Anastasia, and Sister Act. Passionate about working with real musicians and the magic of live music, he contracted his own bands and led the orchestras himself. Pairing his knowledge of orchestration with skillful Mainstage programming, he saved theaters money by creating his own Mainstage programs.

As a collaborative pianist, Noah worked at Cumberland University (CU) for two years as the Staff Pianist. He met with students weekly not only playing and collaborating with them but also vocal coaching and advising them to become well-rounded musicians. Noah also supported the choir and theater programs in rehearsals and performances and played for all student recitals and select University events. He Music Directed for shows at CU such as 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Sister Act, and Little Women.

At the same time, Noah worked extensively with the Middle Tennessee Vocal Association, a choral group hosting concerts and Choral Performance Assessments. He also partnered with the Tennessee All State Theater company playing for over 250 auditionees multiple consecutive years. 

In rehearsal spaces, Noah is an asset of productivity and bliss. Having worked with the Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra, he played for rehearsals and performances of their Christmas concert. He helped to make the rehearsals productive and fun by bringing a professional work ethic with his playful spirit. He brought the same energy to St. Paul’s Episcopal church, where he served as the rehearsal pianist for over two years.