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Meet Noel! He’s the Vice-President of Education for the Okanagan’s beloved Wentworth Music, the music store that does it all!
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
Born and raised in Kelowna.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My wife and children. I spend a lot of my time working and studying. Spending time with them helps keep me grounded. Plus, we get to play music together which is huge for me.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Wentworth Music. It's where I work but also where I get to be around the reason why I work. Music, and creating opportunities for others to make music.
Describe yourself in one word.
Driven.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
The NAMM show in Anaheim, California! NAMM is short for the National Association of Music Merchants (an International organization) and the show to me is the most magical 4-day musical event ever! If you like music even a little bit, then this is THE dream show. Imagine the largest musical trade show on the planet with hundreds of awesome education sessions combined with celebrity musicians everywhere and a huge music festival thrown in.
The NAMM show is like a family reunion. I feel respected there and a part of a much larger musical family (the #NAMMily). I'm a regular NAMM U speaker at the Idea Center and proud to represent our industry and Canada. People listen to what I have to say and take away insights I've made through years of study and execution of ideas and plans.
It's my happy place.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
The Wentworth Music Bi-Annual Rock Productions held in February and June. SO FUN!
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Getting up in front of a full house in Nashville, TN to give a presentation and have the loud noises around me distract me in my introduction. I completely forget what I had spent literally months preparing. It was horrifying and embarrassing. I couldn't even remember my name or why I was there. It was like my memory was erased.
After the longest 8 seconds of my life, I got back on track for the talk but came home thinking about how I could avoid this in the future. I've since learned how to prepare for these situations with different techniques.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
I was at the Kelowna General Hospital for a charity cheque presentation to the Children's ward after our musical tribute to the band KISS. I came dressed up as Gene Simmons in the Destroyer costume I built complete with full makeup, dragon boots and body armour. I need to add, this costume was BEST $1000 I EVER SPENT!
After the presentation, one of the nurses asked if I could say hi to one of the young patients. So clomp, clomp, clomp in 4-inch platform boots I go...
I was brought into a "treatment" room where I saw a young boy about 10 years old with his shirt off and in a wheelchair. His chest was caved in and you could tell he had spent his life that way. His mother sat with him holding his hand.
They looked up to see "The Demon" character and both smiled.
I walked up to the boy and said "how ya doin' buddy?" and got a laboured whisper of a response, "good...".
This instantly made a huge impact on me. This was why we had raised the money for the KGH. To help children. This young man was now the face of our efforts for me. The realization that a child would not get to experience things that most children would take for granted and see his mother spend her life in support was literally earth-shattering for me.
I have never forgotten the impact this young man had on me and how he solidified my resolution to help others.
So, if someone asks me why I do all that I do and I answer "Because I can", this had something to do with it. It's the understanding that this could have been any of us, and some people "can't". That's why we should all help.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
I can't choose just one. Spending time at Seclusion Bay Resort on the Westside (working and playing on the lake). Picking up an electric guitar for the first time, my first kiss (it was all magic).
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
We give back to the community in a number of ways.
The biggest is the Wentworth Music Bi-Annual Rock productions. As of next month, with help from Interior Savings and K96.3, we will have raised over $250,000 for the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation to help children.
Not everyone knows this but the “Call 911 signs” that are around our city are there because of the fund-raising we did after one of our students was nearly killed by a drunk driver. Drunk driving reports are up nearly 20% since they were put up.
Regular events like the Wentworth Musical Petting Zoos where we help introduce children of all ages to musical instruments and occasional events like a drum circle at the Boys and Girls club also top my favourites.
I have also taken on various executive volunteer positions over the years to help our community. The most recent being asked to sit on the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC) to represent Music and the Arts in the Central Okanagan."
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
That everyone could understand the power of their words. How one person's actions or sentiments can affect more than just the person or people they are directed to. It's a spiral effect.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Sparkling Hill.
Where would you like to see a positive change in Kelowna and why?
The homeless deserve attention and positive change. Right now I have more questions than answers. Lots of different things to look at that need our attention.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
No more than a 20-minute drive to get to anything! The climate, scenery, amenities, lifestyle, it’s a great city.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
Aside from scuba diving, I'm not sure...I think I need a new bucket list. I've somehow managed to complete all the others.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I used to be a licensed hairdresser. Trained here in Kelowna then did schooling at Vidal Sassoon in Santa Monica, CA. I won Junior Hairdresser of the year for BC in 1992.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Facebook: Noel Wentworth
Instagram: @noelwentworth
LinkedIn: Noel Wentworth
What is the name of your business/organization?
Wentworth Music.
Why did you get into this business?
Music has always been a part of my life. As Music teachers, my wife and I started the Wentworth Music Education Centre (our music school) as a separate business which later merged with Wentworth Music so we could grow under the same roof.
What is the goal of your business?
To share the love of making music and to turn "practice" into "play".
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Not being understood for implementing things I've studied thoroughly.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
Everything that has happened to me has led me to the person I am today. So no.
What do you always find yourself saying?
"You’ve got to be kidding..."
What is your best piece of life advice?
Follow your dream. Do what you love.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Nathan East. Nathan is a legendary Bass player and seems to be a really nice guy. "In 100 years he'll be known as one of the top musicians of all time". If you listen to the radio, chances are you've spent your whole life listening to him. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/nathan-east-mn0000317169/credits
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Take away local shopping and you take out the foundation of our local economy. It affects everyone, but we need both convenience and brick and mortar businesses.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
A few things but really having the vision and initiative to do things that have not been done before and getting to see the results.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
The entire teaching staff at the Wentworth Music Education Centre! All of our accomplishments are because of our additional efforts and student focus. Thank you for going above and beyond. You're all amazing!
My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Richard Takai
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE.
In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. Thank you, Kelowna!
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