Introduction: The Vision

In a time where social media, influencers, YouTube University, and the Hawai‘i film industry face challenges, the Masterclass was built from the ground up as my way of shaping quality storytellers. Growing up in Ewa Beach, Hawai‘i, I saw firsthand how the lack of education and mentorship makes it difficult for creatives to find the motivation to build themselves up and see a career path ahead. On a larger scale, across Hawai‘i as a whole, it’s even harder to succeed because of the limited guidance and sharing available—made worse by the fact that many of the greats leave our islands for the mainland and beyond.

I always wanted to teach. I felt my calling from God is to mentor those who want to become what I am still striving to become: a better version of yesterday. I am not perfect. I am not the ideal candidate most people might put on a pedestal. I am still learning. I am still finding myself. But my experiences and values created this Masterclass. Most importantly, it was my passion for music that made the first Masterclass in Hawai‘i a reality.

Back in 2019, I had the idea that I could be the center of connection for the networks I had built over the years. I asked myself: how can I bring all my friends together and collectively share knowledge to build toward our ideal future clientele? That’s when the Visionize Style Shootout was born. But when the world shut down during COVID-19, my hope for education and mentorship shut down with it, leaving me hopeless. Through prayer, remote meetings with friends, and talks with Sherwin, my aspirations as an educator came alive again. I began leading weekly Webinars through Visionize Media, teaching music industry, film production, photography, and more. That became the spark to revive a dream I thought I had lost.

As COVID-19 became part of the past, life opened again—traveling, building in-person friendships, creating experiences. Music tours returned, and I knew education had to play a vital role in today’s creative world. In 2024, after a year filled with music tours, film productions, and photography sessions, I had an “ah-ha” moment: why not teach while on tour? From that, the Workshop was born, planting the seed for what is now Visionize Education. With that success, and 2025 on the horizon, I knew it was my time to step fully into this calling.

“Hawai‘i’s creative community needed this Masterclass to build confidence in telling stories from Hawai‘i to the world—to prove that Hawai‘i can create at the same level despite being in the middle of the Pacific. This matters because I am a product of Hawai‘i. I haven’t left—I live here, work here, study here, and do business here while serving clients around the globe.”

Building the Masterclass

Two months before the first class session, I was scheduled for a music tour in the Mainland USA. This would be my first mainland tour since the winter of 2024, when I first introduced the Workshop. I knew right away it was the perfect opportunity to bring it back. But this time, I wanted to do it better. I had learned a lot from the first run—the logistics, the timing, the communication. So, I decided to build a real curriculum and structure it with both virtual and hands-on sessions that would happen while I was on tour.

That was the moment The Art of Music Media Masterclass was born. My plan was to host and teach students virtually over 3–4 days before leaving on tour, and then meet a student in each city who had signed up for the in-person portion. Originally, this was a paid program designed for students who wanted to kickstart, grow, or strengthen their craft. But when the time came, not a single person signed up.

After all the planning, building, and marketing, I wasn’t disappointed. Sitting on that flight with no registrations, I had a realization: I’m the only one doing what I do, and no one else wanted it more than me. That meant my place, my position, was secure. It wasn’t rejection—it was confirmation that I was still carving my own lane.

When the tour ended and I came home, I finally had a chance to rest and reflect. Normally, I’d be backing up footage or answering emails, but instead, I found myself watching The Big Picture Podcast on YouTube, created by longtime union grip Brian Wallace. His mission to educate and uplift the struggling film industry in Hawai‘i—and the stories shared by his guests—hit me hard. It made me think about how I’ve been playing my part in this bigger picture.

I may not have decades in the TV and film industry, but through Visionize Media, I’ve been side by side with productions tied to music and live entertainment. Working on shows like Hawai‘i Five-0 and movies like Snowden gave me an inside look at the industry and helped shape my understanding at a young age. Watching Brian’s podcast sparked an “ah-ha” moment. Before I even called my business partner Sherwin, I picked up the phone and called Brian directly. I shared my idea—bringing the Masterclass local, in person, and teaming up to present a series of sessions together through Visionize Media and The Big Picture Podcast. His response was simple: “Let’s do it. Let me connect you with my people first.”

That was all I needed. The Masterclass was reborn.

“The most memorable part for me was to be able to be in a room full of people who have similar interests as me and understand what it’s like to wanting to become a filmmaker/ content creator.”

— Etuini Sunia

Within a week, Brian connected me with Sanoe, and soon after, I was introduced to ICAN—the International Cultural Arts Network. I met Angie and Brian Kealuana for the first time over a virtual meeting. My job was to make sure they understood my vision for the Masterclass. It didn’t take long for them to get on board, and together, we started building the next steps to make it real. Sanoe and Angie worked on securing the classroom and catering, while I focused on marketing, registration, and onboarding. At the same time, I was reaching out to Good Vibez Presents.

Good Vibez owner Dan Sheehan became the final piece of the puzzle. I knew the Masterclass needed something bigger—something that could serve as a capstone experience for the students. At the same time, Dan was preparing to bring Holoholo Music Festival to Hawai‘i for the very first time. With my connections through Josh Tatofi, who had been performing at Holoholo for about a year, I was able to connect with Dan and his team. I pitched the idea of making Holoholo the hands-on learning opportunity for the Masterclass, and Dan agreed. It was perfect timing.

With just a week until our first session, ICAN confirmed the classroom dates at UH West O‘ahu. That left only days to market, scout, build the registration flow, and finalize the curriculum. But I wasn’t about to let the short timeline stop me. Within 72 hours, Sherwin and I restructured our original 4-day curriculum into a 2-day version. I built the student workbook, marketing materials, website pages, Eventbrite registration, and the onboarding questionnaire. I also met with Wendy and Dave at UH West O‘ahu to tour the classroom and their state-of-the-art film studio. I was blown away by the facilities and grateful for their support.

Meanwhile, Sanoe and Angie secured Zippy’s to cater meals for both days, and I hosted a virtual meet-and-greet for students to ease nerves and answer questions before class began. I really wanted food to be part of it because I knew food is a great tool to help the mind process information. Food is a staple in Hawai‘i when we gather, so having Zippy’s provide meals made it more meaningful. Everything was moving fast, but it was falling into place exactly as it needed to.

Just days before the first session, despite minimal marketing, our registration filled completely. Thanks to the onboarding and virtual meet-and-greet, we had a strong sense of who was attending and who could be selected for the Holoholo Festival hands-on learning.

What started as an idea on a plane ride became a reality. And in that short window of time, the Masterclass transformed from a dream into something bigger than I imagined.

Shot by Cheryl

Day 1: Laying Foundations

The first weekend of the Masterclass couldn’t have come any sooner. Everything moved so quickly it felt like a blur, but the reality of it finally happening was incredible. On day one, arriving at campus, I was able to settle in quickly—and without my Visionize teammate Leia, it wouldn’t have gone nearly as smoothly. I had two things on my mind: staying hydrated (because I talk a lot) and making sure students truly understood the information I was about to share.

My teaching style draws from many of my favorite speakers, but on this day I leaned most on my pastor, Wayne Cordeiro. He uses humor and real-life stories to connect with any audience, and I wanted to bring that same energy into the classroom. The student workbook was designed with that approach in mind—interactive, with fill-in-the-blank sections to keep students engaged during long hours of lecture. I balanced humor with personal stories, making the lessons relatable and helping the students feel emotionally connected. This kept the energy high and the “sleepy” feeling at bay.

We welcomed 20 students, each from different walks of life and backgrounds. From the moment class started at 9:30am until we wrapped well after 4:30pm, the students stayed engaged—asking questions, sharing perspectives, and diving into the ins and outs of the local and national music industry. I gave them a glimpse into the global side, too, even though I don’t claim to have all the answers outside the U.S. What made me proud was how each student found their own way to connect to the material, staying with me from start to finish.

Shot by Jena

I reminded them often that I love engagement, I love questions, and yes—I even love artificial intelligence (AI). That openness made it easier for them to take notes, think critically, and adjust alongside me as I taught. Group activities were sprinkled throughout to reset the room, refresh minds, and spark conversations. Some students used this time to ask deeper questions, others networked, while a few just recharged their energy. Lunch was another highlight—students got to connect with Leia, Sanoe, Wendy, and myself over Zippy’s Zip Pacs, Veggie Chili, and Tossed Salad. Food, to me, is more than a meal—it’s a staple of Hawai‘i gatherings, a way to bring people together and keep the mind ready for more learning.

As day one came to a close, students wrapped up their workbooks and I shared some of Visionize Media’s recent projects. It had been a heavy day, but the students made it exciting and worthwhile. Later that night over dinner with Leia, I received a message from Wendy: the soundstage had been confirmed for our use. I was thrilled—our vision for day two was officially set.

But let’s rewind quickly to 48 hours before day one. On Wednesday morning, during my site visit at UH West O‘ahu, I had another “ah-ha” moment. I realized I didn’t want the second day to be another lecture—I wanted it to be an experience. I envisioned an acoustic session with one of my music artist friends, where students could film, photograph, and create content live while I guided and critiqued. Of course, I didn’t want it to feel small or improvised, so I asked Wendy if there was a soundproof space on campus. She made a call, and soon we were touring the Academy for Creative Media building—a state-of-the-art facility for film, animation, gaming, and AI. I was blown away, and even more so when I learned we’d be the first to use it for a Masterclass. Thanks to Dave and Wendy’s support, the vision for day two became a reality.

Group 2 Video Project

“As an Actor & artist myself. Understanding how importance that branding & content creation can have on the career of said artist. The world of the business. As well as the importance of having a strong team. ”

— Cheryl

Day 2: Acoustic Session Experience

This brings us to Day 2 of the Art of Music Media Masterclass. For me, this day was the highlight—it was the first time I designed a vision in less than 24 hours and had an entire team rally behind me to make it happen. I quickly created a simple production booklet with a mood board outline and schedule, then sent it to the key people involved. My vision was to stage an acoustic session—something simple, yet powerful—for students to practice content creation that could be used for social media or even music releases. This came from real-world needs: so many of the artists I work with depend on this type of content, and I wanted to recreate that environment for the students.

The first call I made was to Brian Wallace. As a grip and gaffer, I knew he could make my vision come alive with the lighting gear I already owned. I didn’t rent anything because I wanted to prove that if you invest wisely or work with what you have, you can still get professional results. Next, I called my sound team—Eric Ho and Christian Bautista—to provide a simple sound system so the artists could just walk in and play. Then, I personally reached out to my music friends, sharing the production booklet so they could see my vision. Both Fia Esene and Keilana Mokulehua signed on as talent—one male, one female—both longtime supporters of Visionize Media’s mission. Having them there was a full-circle moment for me. To round out the team, I brought in my friend Chariya Willis for hair and makeup. It all came together with no one asking for anything in return—just friends and professionals lending their support. With the set built and ready, the students filed into the soundstage and Day 2 began.

Students came prepared to put their notes into action. I had instructed them to bring their cameras, be ready to film, photograph, or assist as team players. We split them into groups, each rotating to shoot Keilana and Fia. Their assignment was to create specific pieces of content—either collaboratively or individually—that we would review together at the end of class. I critiqued their work, showed how I would approach it differently, and gave them space to exercise creative freedom. To add value, we provided live sound recordings so students could sync quality audio with their videos. But the acoustic session wasn’t just about filming; it was also about listening. Keilana and Fia shared their stories and talked about how media impacts their careers and personal lives, which made the day more meaningful.

To close the circle, I brought in Josh Tatofi—a perfect example of everything I’ve been teaching. Having worked with him for over a decade on social media, content, and music films, Josh shared insights into his career and even his journey into directing his own music videos for festivals. He didn’t just answer my questions; he opened up to the students, too. The day ended with live music from Josh and other friends who came to support. It was a full day of shooting, learning, and creating, capped with reviewing the students’ work and breaking it all down together.

“This Masterclass also showed me how many opportunities there really are if I keep working hard and continue learning new skills. It made me realize that the media and entertainment industry isn’t as out of reach as I once thought. It’s just about putting in the effort, staying curious, and continuing to grow. It definitely motivated me to keep pushing myself and to take my creative goals more seriously. ”

— Justine

Shot by Cheryl

Hands-On Learning: Holoholo Festival

With the in-class sessions complete, it was time for the capstone experience: Holoholo Music Festival. I had already been working with Josh Tatofi across multiple Holoholo stages—Sacramento, Oceanside, Las Vegas, San Diego, and now O‘ahu. When you share spaces like that often, you build more than just work ties; you form friendships and align values. That’s exactly what happened with Dan Sheehan of Good Vibez Presents. Talking story with him about life and his vision for Holoholo showed me his generosity and deep connection to Hawai‘i.

When it came time to shape the Masterclass, Holoholo was the perfect partnership. I reached out to Dan on social media, pitched the idea, and he immediately agreed. He connected me with Chief Branding Officer Dana Greer, and from there, Holoholo Music Festival became the Masterclass’s hands-on learning opportunity.

Because Holoholo is an active working environment, I knew I couldn’t bring all 25 students. Too many bodies in the pit or backstage could disrupt operations. Instead, I capped it at five students per day. Sherwin suggested rotating so that ten different students could take part across the two days, and we moved forward with that. Sherwin and Leia handled the student selection process, reviewing attendance, availability, and portfolios. Meanwhile, I kept communication clear with Good Vibez Presents about safety and credentials. Dana and Liz, their marketing director, worked alongside us to design a curriculum. Liz even created a shot list for the students, giving them concrete goals while still letting them learn and shadow the festival crew.

Because Josh Tatofi was also performing, I had to balance my role between Visionize Media and Josh’s team. Sherwin stepped up in a big way, guiding students through the venue, introducing them to production staff, and helping them with camera settings, safety protocols, and time management. On my end, I set up an editing station to deliver same-day reels for Holoholo’s socials. Students watched as Sherwin and I worked side by side—capturing, editing, and publishing in real-time. By the end of Day 1, I had produced reels for Johnny Suite, Fia, Eli-Mac, Katchafire, and J Boog, all posted immediately after the artists left the stage. That speed and efficiency showed students the pace of festival media in its rawest form.

“The most memorable part was getting the chance to film in the mock studio session. It was so fun collaborating and learning from everyone as well as seeing how the things we learned come together.”

— Alana

The highlight of the first day wasn’t just the content—it was seeing students meet my music friends, interact with performers, and hear advice directly from industry voices. Having Sanoe and Angie from ICAN drop by to watch the students in action was another full-circle moment, reinforcing the shared vision behind this partnership.

Day 2 was a different rhythm. I took a larger role with Josh’s team—supporting rehearsals, working with the band, and ensuring his set was smooth—while Sherwin and Leia carried the student experience. The structure was similar, but the lineup was different, and the students gained fresh perspectives from the new headliners. This time, I wasn’t focused on on-site editing; instead, I played my usual tour role with Josh, giving students another angle on what music media work can look like.

By the end of the festival, students had seen what it truly takes to operate at a professional level in a live music environment: speed, adaptability, networking, and respect. That night, I wrapped things up at home by cutting together a final Holoholo video for Good Vibez to post the next morning. And with that, the Masterclass felt complete.

**Big Koa (Island 98.5), Dan Sheehan (Good Vibez Presents), Josh Tatofi, Stephen Harris (Josh Tatofi Guitarist), Kako (J Boog Guitarist/Vocalist)**

Closing Reflection

Each time I have the opportunity to educate and mentor others, I discover something new about myself and the world around me. But this time, it wasn’t about learning something new—it was about living out everything I had already envisioned and planned for this Masterclass.

From the very beginning of planning to this moment of writing, my gratitude extends far beyond words. To my friends, family, partners, and network—you’ve all been the reason this came to life. Together, we proved that collaboration can create something powerful for Hawai‘i and set an example for the rest of the country.

I am deeply grateful to Sherwin for being the foundation of my vision and always trusting me, to Brian Wallace for opening his network, to ICAN for filling the missing piece in making this series possible, and to Leia for her steady support every step of the way. Mahalo to Zippy’s for keeping our team, students, and guests fed, to Kaiaulu for uplifting ICAN’s mission and supporting Native Hawaiian creatives, and to UH West O‘ahu—Dave and Wendy—for trusting an Ewa Beach boy to use your world-class facilities. To Dan Sheehan and the team at Good Vibez Presents—you are family for life, and I am grateful you embraced my students and their learning journey.

Music has always been my passion. Music heals, and music moves people. But media is what preserves it. I look forward to the next Masterclass, and to guiding even more storytellers in Hawai‘i as they build confidence, vision, and lasting careers.

The Art of Music Media Masterclass Journal