At Kúpono Music Studio,
we are...
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Professional
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Compassionate
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Dedicated
Introducing
"The Success First Method"
The Kúpono Music Studio exclusively teaches "The Success First Method" of music instruction
The biggest way Kupono Music Studio supports its customers and the community is by making sure we approach every customer with The Success First Method.
The Success First Method was developed by Marti Kluth over her 33 years of experience teaching public and private music. The Success First Method is based on the teaching method Marti learned from her mentors, The Walker West Method, developed by Carl Walker & Grant West of Walker West Music Academy in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Our method relates as much to how we run our business as to how we teach music. The Success First Method means that we, as instructors, aim for success, first and foremost, with every student, at every lesson. And what the face of that success looks like varies from student to student. What constitutes success for the 6 year old just starting on their musical journey is very different from what success looks like for the seasoned student with years of experience and different expectations.
It is our job as instructors to ascertain what the student needs to be successful in that moment, whether that's correcting a hand posture, demonstrating a passage, or just being a listening ear. It means that the instructor has to have many skills, both in their own instrument, and in understanding a student to determine what they need that day, or that minute.
The Success First Method builds pride, self-esteem, confidence and musicianship. It also strengthens the student's relationships to the instructor and creates the desire to learn and succeed. It's a reactive posture for our instructors but it brings the student immense gratification when you help them through that rough part that they've been struggling with all week, or you cheer on a young student composing their first music, or just listen to what they have to say when no other adult in their life will do so. We strive to do this every day, in every lesson.
Testimonials
Here's what people are saying about Kúpono Music Studio
"Taking piano lessons from Ms. Marti Kluth for the past 6 years has truly enriched my children's lives. From the beginning, she was able to engage them quickly by teaching them to play simple pieces. She was then able to help them build a solid musical foundation, incorporating music theory and note reading as they learned progressively more complicated pieces. She has an encouraging, patient and upbeat attitude that keeps my children excited about playing the piano. She challenges them to reach their full potential in a way that brings out their best. Performing in recitals has also given them an opportunity to build their self-confidence and experience a sense of accomplishment."
Amy Reisenauer
"My two daughters were taking piano lessons with Ms. Marti. I was just the chauffer for them at first. The lessons sounded like so much fun so I decided to take some lessons myself. It took a little courage for someone over 40 years old to start a piano lesson but Ms. Marti's no pressure approach worked for me. My job requires a lot of my time and I sometimes get lazy but Ms. Marti is so patient and always maximizes my limited practice time by her effective lessons. It is true that I get more nervous to play at a recital with a bunch of young students than when making a public speech to 500 people. But participating in the recital is good encouragement for me and helps with goal setting to continue the lesson and practice."
Kyoko Kimura
"We contacted Kúpono Music Studio because we wanted to provide our 6 year old grand-daughter, Keke, with quality music skills as she embarked on her musical experience. Kúpono Music Studio provided exactly what we hoped for, both vocally and on the piano. Keke began singing with Ms. Marti as part of the school break Glee Camps. This initial introduction quickly moved into being invited to join the Maui Singsation Show Choir as well as piano lessons. Ms. Marti encouraged Keke to challenge herself and move outside her comfort level in order to improve and grow musically as well as personally. After only two years Keke, now 8, is willing to walk into any audition with remarkable confidence and artistic maturity. In fact, she recently won a spot in the community production of "Evita" as one of only 5 girls selected for the children's chorus, due in part to Ms. Marti's coaching.
Ms. Marti is creative in her teaching approach and finds a way to ensure the success of each student. We are truly blessed to be a part of her musical ohana. I wholeheartedly recommend the Kúpono Music Studio for all ages and skill levels."
Carrie Carlascio
Our Teachers
Meet the people that make Kúpono Music Studio magical
Marti Kluth
Marti Kluth is a versatile musician with 31 years experience as a music teacher. Marti studied at Oberlin Conservatory in Oberlin, OH for 3 years, finishing her schooling by earning a bachelor's degree from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN in piano performance. She is well versed in all classical styles, as well as pop, jazz, blues, Gospel, Broadway and other styles, so she can help you play any kind of music you desire.
She has also performed extensively, both as a vocalist and keyboardist. Over the past 20 years, Marti has been Music Director of 20+ shows on Maui, including Oliver!, Pippin, Fame!, South Pacific, West Side Story, 2 productions of Scrooge, and The Music Man for the Maui Academy of Performing Arts; Ruthless!, Cabaret and The Wizard of Oz for ProArts, and Sweeney Todd for Maui OnStage. She has performed in the orchestra for several other productions, which allows her to showcase her technical prowess first-
hand for audiences. She has a flexible, well-trained voice, and is capable of singing all styles of music, including Hawaiian, gospel, pop, jazz and classical.
Marti is also familiar with a wide variety of contemporary music. You can learn the latest hit songs that are on the radio, or an old classic that you've always wanted to play. If you don't read music, Marti can help you with an easy to play arrangement of almost any song!
Tracey Bloser
Tracey Bloser, mezzo-soprano, received her Bachelor of Music in Voice from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and her Master of Music in Voice from The Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford, CT. Shortly after receiving her degree, she became a founding member of Hartford Opera Theater, performing and producing new works and contemporary interpretations of opera theater in the city for several years.
Tracey moved to Maui in 2011 and began integrating into the classical
music scene as a vocal performer and teacher in voice and piano. She was most recently featured as the Alto soloist for Maui Chamber Orchestra’s productions of Bach’s Magnificat and Handel’s Messiah at the Iao Theater in Wailuku. Tracey has been on staff at Maui Music Mission for two years, contributing as an instructor in voice, piano and theory in their after-school music club and music camps, working with keiki ages 6-12. She is also a board member for Maui Chamber Orchestra and board chair of their CHIMES program.
CHIMES is working to reintegrate music education at the elementary level in the Maui public school curriculum. Singing, piano, opera, choir and musical theater have all been a major part of her life since early childhood. Tracey is especially committed to imparting this love, knowledge and experience of classical music to the youth of Maui, by enriching the local music programs and focusing on their quality and expansion. Tracey is thrilled to be joining the Kúpono Music Studio team as an instructor in voice and beginning piano.
Ginny Morgan
Ginny Morgan received a music scholarship to attend Chapman University in Orange California, where she graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor of Music in performance in cello and harp. She attained a teaching degree in 1970 and taught Elementary School for 5 years.
She later moved to Wyoming and worked as an Artist in Residence through the Wyoming Council on the Arts. She toured Wyoming towns giving chamber music concerts for 8 years. She also taught strings at Northwest Community College in Powell, Wyoming and played in the Cheyenne Symphony as first chair cellist.
She moved to Colorado in 1979 and worked for 12 years through the Colorado Council on the Arts giving chamber music instruction and concerts. She played cello with the Delta Symphony and the Grand Junction Symphony. She also taught private lessons through Montrose Community College and played harp with many chamber groups.
Ginny moved to Maui in 1991 and has played both cello and harp with the Maui Symphony, Maui Pops, and Maui Community Band, as well as working as a professional harpist for weddings. She currently directs the Maui Madrigale, Early Music Maui and the Festival of Harps. Her husband, Alfred, builds and repairs harps on Maui. Together, they have played many harp duet concerts.
Aaron Grzanich
Aaron began his journey in music education 22 years ago. Developing a love for all types of music he found his true joy in the ukulele 8 years ago. He attended Illinois State University in 1999 and began playing the guitar. He was enrolled in courses for musical studies and introduction to piano. Starting his first band he developed a love for live performance and made life long friendships with many musicians.
At the age of 23 he continued to follow his passion for learning new instruments by moving to Asheville, North Carolina. Continuing with private lessons in music theory and song development he began to play the mandolin and banjo in the bluegrass style.
With a constant passion for live performance and music education he moved to California at the age of 24. There he continued his studies at the College of San Mateo and enrolled in courses in Sound creation: Sampling and synthesis, Electronic music, and Afro-Latin percussion ensemble.
At the age of 35, the desire to continue live performance and further his music studies lead him to move to Fort Collins Colorado, and he was a member of The Music District, a nonprofit music campus, working with industry professionals in workshops, production, and events. It was here that he first began to study the ukulele and it has been his primary instrument and focus since.
The ukulele became such an important part of his life that he choose to follow his dream and move to Maui Hawaii in 2023. He devoted himself to learning traditional Hawaiian style and many other styles of music for the ukulele. Aaron is great at teaching ukulele to beginners at any age. His goal is help students feel comfortable with the ukulele, with a no pressure approach. His patience and pursuit for the joy of music is a great learning experience.
Reese Tanaka
A classically-trained pianist of over 20 years, Reese Tanaka has instructed students of all age ranges. As a composer and multi-instrumentalist, Reese helps build solid foundational structures by arranging popular pieces in ways that incorporate technique - enhancing exercises to develop good habits while allowing students to perform the music they enjoy.
Students will come away with the skills and tools necessary to study and perform a wide range of music of their choosing. 88-key graded hammer action piano or acoustic upright / grand piano recommended for efficient home practice. Wind instrument rentals available as inventory allows.
Reese Tanaka teaches beginner to advanced piano ages 5 & up, and beginner to advanced clarinet, beginner to intermediate oboe, and beginner to intermediate saxophone ages 12 & up.
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Christian Turner
Originally hailing from Colorado Springs, CO, Christian Turner is a versatile musician, producer, and instructor teaching trumpet, drums, and songwriting. Christian got his start playing Jazz Trumpet at venues up and down the Front Range, and has performed alongside a wide variety of acts including Ii Kanji, Codae Music, and Fidel Redstar.
Currently residing in Kihei, HI, Christian blends a rich background in Jazz, Hip Hop, Funk, Reggae, and Neo-Soul into his teaching methodology to bring real-world stage and recording experience directly into his lessons. Whether guiding students through trumpet tone and breath control, mastering drum grooves and timing, or unlocking creative flow in lyricism and song structure, his lessons focus on building strong technical fundamentals and helping musicians find their unique artistic voice.
He believes that music lessons should be fun (it's called playing for a reason) and targeted to drive results, whether the goal is basic proficiency, or long-term professionalism.
Roy Binder
Roy D. Binder is a cellist with the Maui Pops Orchestra, a stringed instrument bow technician, a former public school music teacher, and runs a small private music studio in Wailuku. Holding a Bachelor of Music Education, Cum Laude, from Eastern Michigan University, Roy has been playing cello for 24 years and has taught privately for 9 years. While attending Eastern Michigan, on top of concentrating on the cello, Roy studied violin, viola, and double bass, and even became a certified Suzuki instructor on cello.
Roy has performed on cello for the University of Evansville, the University of Findlay, Heidelberg University, the University of Southern Indiana, Firelands Symphony, Perrysburg Symphony, the Croswell Opera House, the Toledo Repertoire Theater, and many public schools in NW Ohio and SE Michigan where he grew up.
Roy is also the 2022 recipient of the Violin Society of America's Scholarship for Bow Restoration and runs a bow restoration shop in his Wailuku studio. Roy is available for students as young as 5 years old on violin, viola, cello, and double bass; as well as beginners on ukulele as well as guitar.