NOTES FOR NOTES® provides youth with FREE access to music instruments, instruction and recording studio environments so that music may become a profoundly positive influence in their lives.

CHECK OUT WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO LATELY!

@NOTESFORNOTES

PRODUCING TOMORROW’S MUSICIANS®

We believe in Freedom of Expression.

We believe every song begins and ends with a listener. As Producers we focus on bringing out the best in young artists. Artist development begins with listening and understanding that a song is an artist’s viewpoint at a given moment. We cultivate, advocate and protect freedom of expression in our studios to foster the discovery of young artist’s sound, identity and ownership of voice.

Defending this ethic is this dedicated advisory board of artists, industry and community members advocating for our young artists freedom of expression.

Singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer
“Growing up a misfit, I can confidently say I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for discovering myself through music that allowed me to break through cultural norms and society’s definition of what a young woman in the 80s should look and act like. Finding myself, and ultimately the freedom to express myself both creatively and musically saved me and so many of my friends.
Navigating trauma at any age is difficult, being able to find something that can help express your emotions, such as music was a fucking miracle. Music is and will always be my primary method of communication.
Music has already been erased from school curriculums as well as art, and in today’s political climate amidst a pandemic, we need to lean on what we have left… the freedom to express ourselves freely and openly without fear of judgment or persecution. It doesn’t cost anything to express yourself, it’s free and healing. I can’t imagine a world without that freedom. We have to fight for it and never take it for granted.” - Linda Perry

Run the Jewels
“Music is an art form that should serve as a safe space where we can express ourselves, it can be the most needed therapy to tap into our rawest feelings. For young artists bringing their truth to the mic we must advocate for their right to freedom of expression because it just may fuel a life changing experience as it did for me. I stand behind orgs like Notes for Notes who are fighting for young artists and their music.” - Michael “Miller Mike” Render

Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, The Nightwatchman
“It’s so important that young creators have the avenues, ability, means, and opportunity to grow and express themselves regardless of economic background or other challenges. It’s an honor to be a part of Notes For Notes to help these young folks forge the future.”- Tom Morello

Run DMC/
“From an early age, creativity has been my super power and when I discovered music I found the ultimate way to authentically express myself. It is so important that organizations like Notes for Notes are giving youth the opportunity to discover the potential inside themselves and doing so with a respect for what is in their hearts and minds. Freedom of expression is important in any art form at any age but especially for young musicians finding out who they are through their lyrics and music.”- Darryl McDaniels

BIZ 3 Founder/ CEO
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Professor/ Author of Rap on Trial
“As an educator, I see the transformative power of music first hand. For many students, it provides more than entertainment—it provides a voice with which they can express a wide range of thoughts and emotions, in the process helping them better understand themselves and the world around them. For that reason, I have devoted my career to helping protect the right of artists, particularly musicians, to express themselves without fear of censorship or punishment. Notes for Notes shares this vision and is doing important work on the ground, so it's an honor to serve on the Soundboard.”- Erik Nielson

Monte Lipman, Founder/ CEO
Avery Lipman, Founder/ COO
““Art can’t exist without freedom of expression. Without it, there’s no authentic message. It’s the lifeblood of every song and album that has changed the world. If we’re going to learn and grow as a society, we need to listen to what artists have to say.”-Monte Lipman & Avery Lipman

Grammy-nominated songwriter, CEO and co-founder of Arthouse Publishing/Records and Briidge
"Music is a universal language because it speaks to the human condition and provides a forum for people to relate with one another. Allowing artists to freely express their stories is what makes music so powerful and important for people. We need to encourage our young artists to be brave enough to speak their truths so as to touch those who haven’t found the wolds for theirs.I applaud notes for notes for being one of the organizations who understands this." -Kara DioGuardi

ABOUT

Notes for Notes® (N4N®) was founded in Santa Barbara, CA in 2006 as an answer to the lack of contemporary musical equipment and programs in public schools in order to provide youth with music and production instruction that produces both positive social-emotional and creative growth. Inspired by their time as Bigs in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program the Founders were focused on creating an environment with zero barriers to entry. Youth could have access to top of the line instruments, gear and Producers that would always be there to help them realize that talent inside themselves, all for FREE.

Today, N4N provides access to high quality, recording studio environments, but more importantly, access to positive and encouraging relationships to over 8,500 youth in 23 studios across 11 states/14 cities. Located inside Boys & Girls Clubs/ youth facilities (and soon public schools) N4N Studios are gateways to exploring music, careers in the industry and producing original music that empowers young musicians to realize their identity.

EXPLORE

N4N Studios provide youth with the space, encouragement and freedom to explore music and production by their own pace and path with dedicated N4N Producers guiding, inspiring, and teaching them with the tailored learning style that best suits them. There is NO wrong way to find music in our studios.

CREATE

Packed with guitars, drums, keys/synths, DJ gear, groove stations, podcasting and full digital recording facilities N4N Studios provide young musicians with the tools, freedom and support to create original music. Pickup an instrument for the first time or cut your first single, all paths to music can start at Notes for Notes.

RECORD

N4N believes music to be a creative outlet for young musicians to express themselves in ways they otherwise would not be able to. Inside N4N Studios our ethos is freedom of expression and we provide young musicians a safe-environment to express themselves through song. Inside the sanctity of the studio N4N does not censor lyrics as part of the process to helping young musicians discover their identity.

UPDATES

BLOG

Feb 18, 2025

Q&A with Notes for Notes Co-Founder Philip Gilley

Feb 18, 2025

Read More →

Feb 18, 2025

Dec 11, 2024

‘Music inspires’: Investing in Milwaukee’s youth with Notes for Notes studios

Dec 11, 2024

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Dec 11, 2024

Oct 21, 2024

Post Malone and Raising Cane’s have teamed up for a poster collab that will benefit the Notes for Notes non-profit organization.

Oct 21, 2024

Read More →

Oct 21, 2024

Oct 16, 2024

RÜFÜS DU SOL is partnering with Non Profit NOTES FOR NOTES®

Oct 16, 2024

Read More →

Oct 16, 2024

MORE UPDATES HERE

N4N INFO DECK

SCROLL THROUGH TO LEARN MORE ABOUT N4N, THE MISSION, STUDIOS, PROGRAMS, AND MORE!

ADVISORY BOARD

ROBIN TERRY

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Roderick Hare | Board Chair & Co-Founder

Evan Skopp | Treasurer

Matt Kettmann | Secretary

Jeff Cuellar | Director

Philip Gilley | Director / Co-Founder

Natalie Noone Pressly | Director / Co-Founder

Duncan Dashiff | Director

Ian Smith | Director

Amilcar (Pro) Welton | Director

Michael Marans | Director Emeritus

N4N TEAM

Philip Gilley | CEO/Co-Founder

Ross Tyler | Chief Compliance Officer

Raymond Jacob | Chief Operations Officer

Erland Wanberg | Chief Development Officer

Kristie Davis | VP of Operations & Support

Victoria Carey | Sr. Director of Education & Impact

Miranda Thornbury | Dir. of Organizational Support

Jordan Lee | Dir. of Youth & Producer Experience

Jen Hodges | Manager of Digital Programming | Atlanta

Kayla Currin | Manager of Development & Support

Maddie Backes | Outreach & Support Specialist

Chloe Bari | Producer & Operational Support Specialist | San Francisco

Corey Gibb | Content Producer

Will Flores | Manager of Pro Audio

Cameron Cassell | Sr. Producer & Pro Audio Specialist | Nashville

Stephen Dashiff | Producer & Audio Professional Specialist | Nashville

Ray Price | Area Director

Tim Talavera | Area Director

Dae Hill | Area Manager

Kaylah Burris | Area Manager

Ryan Easter | Area Manager

Derrick Holt | Sr. Producer & Educator | Milwaukee

Gilberto Bustamante | Producer & Educator | Milwaukee

Kevin Christensen | Producer & Educator | Milwaukee

Nicholas Grace | Studio & Education Assistant | Milwaukee

Caleb Alexander | Studio & Education Assistant | High Point

Gerardo Escalante | Sr. Producer | San Francisco

John Karsten | Sr. Producer | Twin Cities

Maurice Jordan | Sr. Producer | Milwaukee

Rob Lacy | Sr. Producer | Las Vegas

TJ Carpenter | Sr. Producer | Chicago

Torrence Groce | Sr. Producer | Los Angeles

AD Davison | Producer | Santa Barbara

Bradley Perich | Producer | Milwaukee

Bret Fickes| Producer | Santa Barbara

Darrell Jones | Producer | Memphis

Duncan Mackillop | Producer | Detroit

Dylan Tarazona | Producer | Los Angeles

Geraldo Marshall | Producer | New York

Iram Reyes | Producer | Austin

Josh Gray | Producer | Los Angeles

Jordan Robertson | Producer | New York

Reggie Tarver | Producer | New York

Samario Hardy | Producer | New York

Sean Christensen | Producer | Vegas

Tae Mckinney | Producer | Nashville

Von Owens | Producer | Nashville

TBD | Producer | DC

TBD | Producer | New York

Alex | Youth Intern | Twin Cities

Gabriel | Youth Intern | High Point

Jason | Youth Intern | New York

Kalea | Youth Intern | San Francisco

LaPromise | Youth Intern | Nashville

Malik | Intern | Youth Las Vegas

Prince | Youth Intern | New York

Quantrell | Youth Intern | Nashville

Rey | Youth Intern | Austin

Sebastian | Youth Intern | New York

Sophia | Youth Intern | Nashville

Thierra | Youth Intern | Santa Barbara

Trinity | Youth Intern | Las Vegas

Victor | Youth Intern | Milwaukee

MUSIC

Check out the latest records being cut out of N4N Studios and Digital Studios across the country as well as compilation albums featuring the next generation of incredibly talented artists.

STUDIOS

AUSTIN | BRONX | BROOKLYN | CHICAGO | CLEVELAND | DETROIT | HARLEM | HIGH POINT | LAS VEGAS | LOS ANGELES | MEMPHIS | MILWAUKEE | NASHVILLE | SAN FRANCISCO | SANTA BARBARA | TWIN CITIES | WASHINGTON DC

CLICK THE STUDIOS BELOW TO FIND OUT WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING LOCALLY!

What started as the answer to continue reaching young musicians during the pandemic when our studios paused, N4N Digital has become the newest arm of N4N allowing us to provide youth anywhere with our core experience, producing original music!

N4N Producers work directly with young musicians remotely songwriting, instructing and producing their music despite the lack of access to an N4N Studio. In addition, N4N’s network of artists and industry professionals have made themselves available to directly connect with young musicians to collaborate, educate and inspire artistic, professional and personal development.

Check out some of the tracks below emerging from Notes for Notes Digital Studio.

N4N Digital programming is also available as a resource for educational and youth serving institutions. Should you be interested in partnering with Notes for Notes to bring our digital program to your community please contact us at hello@notesfornotes.org.