About
Keiki Kani teaches not just music, we also guide students to achieve and excel in all life endeavors (academic, music, home, character-building). We teach our students, evaluate regularly, then guide them down the musical path they choose. Parents are an essential part of the team.
Keiki Kani teachers (together) have over 50 years of teaching experience. Keiki Kani Music Studio is over 25 years old. Our teachers have taught for the Hawaii DOE and the Honolulu City&County's Summer Fun Program. In addition, our Keiki Kani Choir has been featured on numerous professional recordings and has performed all over Oahu.
Camilla Corpuz Yamamoto (President) is a Hawaii Department of Education Music teacher, serves as the Executive Director of the Hawaii Music Educators Association (state branch of the National Association for Music Eduators), is a member of the Honolulu Piano Teachers Association, and has received an outstanding member award from HPTA.
For more information about Keiki Kani, please go to www.keikikani.com and visit our Facebook page.
We LOVE our job (teaching music), but more importantly, we LOVE our students and their families. We are "ohana" - very often, our students don't want to go home!
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
We interview-audition all new students to determine previous/no music experience and needs. A free consultation is scheduled and needs determined. All new students are then scheduled and books ordered. Each student receives a 30-50 minute lesson weekly, parents receive quarterly evaluations, recitals are offered 3 times/year.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a Bachelors in Music from the University of Hawaii and am Kodaly-certified. I am also a member of the Honolulu Piano Teachers Association and Hawaii Music Educators Association (executive board). I also teach General Music and Chorus with the Hawaii Department of Education.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Group Lessons (music basics, group piano, voice class) are $225 for a 12-week (3-month) session. Private Lessons (30-minutes once a week) are $25 per lesson.
How did you get started teaching?
Started teaching piano while a music major at the University of Hawaii Music Department. I have taught piano at the Pearl Harbor Dependents Activities Center, Keiki Music School, my home studio (Aiea), and Keiki Kani Music Studio. I have been teaching for over 40 years.
I have taught general music and chorus at local preschools and for the Hawaii Department of Education (Waimalu Elementary, Palisades Elementary, Momilani Elementary, Kapalama Elementary, Pearl City Highlands Elementary).
What types of students have you worked with?
ages 6mos to senior citizens. Beginners through intermediate; group and private lessons.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
My students were the featured chorus ("Star-Spangled Banner") at the recent Harlem Globetrotters Game (October 2017). Also, we arranged and performed a five-person lively piano version of "The Entertainer" in Spring 2017. Both can be viewed on YouTube on the Keiki Kani channel.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
How long have you been teaching? What ages do you teach? What is your music education background (do you have a music degree)? Where have you taught before?
Look for someone who will not just teach "music"; look for someone who will do/teach age-appropriate music/music skills/repertoire-songs. Keiki Kani teaches music and along the way, life skills. Our students-families are our friends and many students want to hang-out with us past their lesson time.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What do I want to learn? Why do I want to study music? Do I have daily access to an instrument (piano/keyboard)? Am I willing to invest at least 30-minutes of daily practice AT HOME? What do I want to DO with my music skills (personal goals)?