Online Guitar & Ukulele Lessons for Students Across Hawaii
Yale School of Music–trained instruction. Twenty years of teaching. Available to students on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island — and anywhere with a stable internet connection.
Music Lessons That Travel With You
If you live in Honolulu, Waikiki, Kailua, Hilo, Lihue, or anywhere across the Hawaiian Islands, the right teacher shouldn't be limited by which island they're on. Online music lessons mean you get the best instructor for you — not just the closest one.
I'm Aaron Cardenas. I hold a Master of Music (M.M.) and Master of Musical Arts (M.M.A.) from the Yale School of Music, I've been teaching private guitar and ukulele lessons for twenty years, and I'm currently the Guitar and Ukulele instructor at Kamehameha Schools Maui (grades 6–12). My students range in age from three years old to retired adults, and they live on every Hawaiian island.
Online lessons over Zoom or FaceTime aren't a compromise. For motivated students, they're often better than in-person — fewer interruptions, no commute, easier to record and review, and access to a teacher whose training, repertoire, and approach actually matches your goals.
Who I Teach
Beginners of any age picking up guitar or ukulele for the first time and those who want conservatory style teaching will start with the Suzuki Method.
Intermediate players who've stalled and want a structured way forward.
Advanced students preparing for auditions, performances, or college music programs.
Kids and teens (ages 6 and up) — including students preparing for school music programs.
Adult learners returning to music after years away, or starting fresh.
Hawaiian-music students — slack key guitar, traditional ukulele, hapa-haole repertoire.
If you're not sure whether online lessons will work for you, the free intro lesson is the answer — we'll talk through your goals and you'll get a sense of how I teach before you commit.
Why Students from Across Hawaii Choose Me
Yale School of Music training (M.M. + M.M.A.). This is rare for a private music teacher anywhere — and to my knowledge, I'm the only one teaching guitar and ukulele in Hawaii with this background. It means your foundation gets built right the first time: technique, ear training, theory, and musicianship that will serve you for life.
Twenty years of private teaching experience. I've taught hundreds of students across every level. I know which mistakes beginners make, why intermediate players plateau, and how to design a path that fits your specific goals.
An active educator at Kamehameha Schools Maui. I teach guitar and ukulele to grades 6–12 at Kamehameha. That keeps me sharp, current, and deeply connected to Hawaii's musical traditions and the next generation playing them.
Both instruments at serious depth. Most teachers are guitar-first or ukulele-first. I teach both at a high level, including classical guitar, fingerstyle, slack key, and the full Hawaiian ukulele tradition.
A path that makes sense. Lessons aren't random songs picked off YouTube. We build a curriculum around what you actually want to play and the technique you need to play it well.
What Online Lessons Look Like
Lessons run 30, 45, or 60 minutes over Zoom (or FaceTime if you prefer). You'll need:
A stable internet connection
A device with a camera (laptop, tablet, or phone with a stand)
Your instrument
A music stand and a notebook or tablet for notes
Before your first lesson I'll send a short setup guide so your camera angle, audio, and lighting are dialed in — small adjustments that make online lessons feel as natural as being in the same room.
After each lesson, you'll get notes summarizing what we covered and what to practice. Most students record their lessons (with permission) so they can revisit anything between sessions.
Instruments and Styles I Teach
Guitar
Classical (my Yale specialty)
Fingerstyle
Jazz
Acoustic / folk / singer-songwriter
Slack key (Ki Hoʻalu)
Beginner foundations through advanced repertoire
Ukulele
Hawaiian traditional and contemporary
Hapa-haole and modern Hawaiian songbook
Strumming, fingerpicking, and chord-melody
Beginner through performance-level
If you're unsure which to start with — for yourself or your child — the intro call is a good place to talk it through. There's no wrong answer.
Pricing & Booking
Free 20-Minute Intro Lesson. No commitment. We talk about your goals, you see how I teach, and we both decide if it's a fit.
Lesson rates: [insert your rates here, e.g., $XX for 30 min / $XX for 45 min / $XX for 60 min]
Packages: Discounts available for students who book monthly packages of 4 or more lessons.
Cancellation policy:
Cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice are non-refundable.
Missed lessons or “no-shows” will be charged in full and are not eligible for rescheduling or credit.
Lessons canceled with more than 24 hours’ notice may be rescheduled based on availability.
Emergency situations may be considered at the instructor’s discretion.
[Book Your Free Intro Lesson →](Click here)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can online lessons really work as well as in-person? For motivated students, yes — and often better. The teaching is the same; the format just removes the commute. The first lesson is free precisely so you can see this for yourself before committing.
Do I need to live on Maui to take lessons with you? No. Online lessons mean I teach students on every Hawaiian island and beyond. I'm based on Maui, but my online students live in Honolulu, Hilo, Lihue, on the mainland, and overseas.
What's the time-zone issue if I'm on Oahu or the Big Island? None. Hawaii is one time zone. Lessons are scheduled in Hawaii Standard Time and we're all on the same clock.
Can my child take online lessons? Yes. I teach kids as young as six online. For very young students (under 6), in-person works better, but online has been successful for hundreds of school-aged kids.
Do you teach Hawaiian music specifically? Yes — extensively. Slack key guitar, traditional Hawaiian ukulele, and the modern Hawaiian songbook are core parts of what I teach. My role at Kamehameha Schools means I'm in this tradition every week.
What equipment do I need? A guitar or ukulele in playable condition, a device with a camera, decent internet, and a quiet space. That's it. I'll help you set up the camera angle and audio in the first lesson.
How do I get started? Click the button below to book a free 20-minute intro call. We'll talk about your goals, answer your questions, and figure out the right next step.
[Book Your Free Intro Lesson →](Click Here)