Aloha mai kākou,
My name is Kapu (Coach Kapu) and I am stoked to be able to share my passion for music with you all! I jokingly say my first instrument was the pots and pans I made a drum set out of as a little kid. It’s one of my earliest memories.
I’ve had the blessing to receive formal and informal training in various instruments and musical styles throughout the years:
This experience includes my early stages of learning, as well as my continuing education in music. I have been performing music semi-regularly in bands for 19 years, and have now been performing weekly (minimum) for 3 years.
As someone who has received both formal and informal training, I have come to understand and appreciate the merits of each style, and recognize their shortcomings. This allows me to strike a balance between engaging a student’s interests, as well as teaching the more formal parts of music. What this balance looks like is different for every student, and I’m always looking for new ways to improve my methods and tailor lessons to specific students.
I also have 3 years experience working as a Skills Trainer and RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) with kids and adults with autism and special needs from age 6-21.
I hope to see you in the studio! Rock on!
Sam has been playing drums for over twenty years, in styles including rock, big band, symphony orchestra, marching and concert band, jazz ensembles, and an extensive musical theater background. He’s a graduate of Berklee College of Music, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in drum set performance and songwriting with a minor in audio engineering.
Sam has performance, engineering, and/or songwriting credits on over 200 releases on instruments such as drum set, vocals, piano, bass, guitar, and percussion. He’s done recording work for a number of TV shows, movies, and video games including Power Rangers, Praise Petey, Invincible, and Disenchantment, as well as commercials for AAA, Disney, and Alaska Airlines.
As a teacher, he has 8 years of experience, including two years of student tutoring while at Berklee in subjects such as harmony (classical and jazz theory), arranging, songwriting, lyric writing, and drum set.
Kristy-Li Strand is a seasoned professional vocalist and voice-over artist with an extensive performance background spanning the U.S. and South Korea. An accomplished singer-songwriter, she actively writes and produces her own music, with a discography available on all major streaming platforms. Her dynamic performance history includes prestige venues such as the Blue Note, the Four Seasons Ko Olina, the Royal Hawaiian, and even the decks of the USS Missouri. Kristy is passionate about bridging the gap between professional industry experience and artistic expression, helping students find their unique voice while sharing the joy of music-making.
With over 17 years of guitar playing experience, Lenore is passionate about helping students discover the joy of music and grow as musicians. At just 13 years old Lenore made her television debut on the Steve Harvey Show and has since had the opportunity to perform in New York, Canada, England, and China. Whether working with complete beginners or more experienced players, Lenore strives to create a fun, supportive and encouraging learning environment for students to build confidence, develop solid technique and enjoy the process of making music.
Volunteer at Kailua Music School and be a part of something special!
Join our Teen Volunteer Program where you can assist with group classes, help with event sign-ups, and get involved in the day-to-day rhythm of our music school. This is a great opportunity for teens who are passionate about music and want to share their love of it with others!
What You’ll Do as a Volunteer:
Why Volunteer with Us?
Volunteering at Kailua Music School isn’t just about lending a hand—it’s about gaining valuable skills, meeting like-minded peers, and making a difference in the lives of young musicians.
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