Tell us a bit about yourself. What's your name, where are you from, where are you now, and what do you do these days?
My name is Jinhe Rachel Weber, and I was born and raised in SF! I still live in the city, but now I live in Mission Bay right by Oracle Park. I am currently a special education teacher at a charter school in Oakland.
When did you start attending classes at NCMACC, and which instruments or art forms did you learn?
I started taking classes at NCMACC when I was in elementary school. I started with piano lessons, but I also participated in a musical production where I received some vocal training.
What's your favorite memory from your time at NCMACC?
My favorite memory from my time at NCMACC was recording the soundtrack for the musical production. It was fun to be in a studio recording my singing!
How has your musical education influenced your life, career, or personal development?
I still enjoy practicing piano as a creative outlet. Knowing how to read music is a fun and useful skill that allows me to learn songs that I want to play.
What skills or lessons from NCMACC have been most valuable to you outside of music?
The most important lesson I learned from NCMACC is the importance of practice. Learning piano was originally pretty challenging, and I didn't like having to practice daily. However, looking back now as an adult, I see the value of holding yourself accountable in order to get better.
Do you still play music today? If so, how does it fit into your life?
I listen to a lot of music, and I enjoy teaching myself songs I like listening to. Having music as a creative outlet is definitely a positive in my life.
What advice would you give to current students at NCMACC?
I would encourage students at NCMACC to see music as a privilege. When I was younger, I would sometimes resent having to practice daily or go to my lessons but looking back I can see how they both have positively contributed to who I am today, and not everyone has the opportunity to learn music. Music is both a creative and intellutual tool that can be used in a variety of ways!
