A veteran of the Charlotte music scene, Karl is the owner and lead music instructor at Streetwise music. He teaches students the basic principals of music as well as mastery of the guitar, bass guitar, drums, keyboards and vocals. He strongly believes that music instruction should be fun for his students.
Elizabeth Hareza - Vocals, Beginner Guitar, Piano & Harmonica ** Newest Addition to our Team **
(Teaches at the Ballantyne Location)
After playing piano, guitar and singing for fun since before she can
remember, Elizabeth finally made the decision to pursue her love for music while on a study abroad trip to Australia in 2008. She went there to learn about "Green Living" and ended up playing her first solo show at Songwriters Live in Manly Beach (songwriterslive.com.au). This made her come to the realization that she wanted to make a career out of playing music and sharing her love for the arts with anyone and everyone who shared her passion. She attended Bethany College in West Virginia where she participated in the Bethany Blues and Rock Project. This gave her the experience of playing with a band and performing. After earning her Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations she decided to move to Charlotte in February 2009 to continue her dream. In the last year she has played as both a solo artist and with several bands in the area (currently with "The Remedy"), as well as participated in fundraisers and open mic nights. Singing and playing anything from Brazilian music to the Blues and even some Country, Elizabeth believes the possibilities of music are endless and every genre should be embraced and appreciated for what it has brought and will continue to bring to the table. She is looking forward to becoming the newest addition to the Streetwise Team and sharing her passion and enthusiasm for music with her new students!
Madison Stegall - Beginner to Advanced Guitar & Bass Guitar
(Lead Instructor at the Indian Trail Location)
Madison began playing guitar at the age of 14. There had always been an ancient acoustic guitar sitting near the fireplace in his home as he was growing up. He would grab it up as a child and admire it, and occasionally pick at it (pun intended). When he became a teenager he decided to take it seriously. He got his first guitar and amp for Christmas and taught himself simple songs from simple books. He took private lessons for about 6 months at the age of 15 and continued to teach himself until he began taking guitar courses during his years at
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Brendon Blackwelder - Drums & Percussion 
(Teaches at the Indian Trail Location)
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Kevin McPherson - Piano & Keyboard, Beginner & Intermediate Guitar
(Teaches at the Ballantyne Location)
Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico Kevin moved to Charlotte with his family in 1993. He has been playing piano for 5 years and guitar for 9 years. He has had two private piano teachers and three guitar teachers, including Karl Mokal. He is currently a student at Central Piedmont Community College under the instruction of Dr. Roxanne Holt Watson. He plans to attend UNC-Wilmington to pursue his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Piano Jazz Performance. His influences range from Brahms to Metallica and his favorite artists are Steve Vai, Ludwig Van Beethoven and Duke Ellington. He has been playing in a Christian rock band for 6 years, and he is currently the worship guitarist for Hartis Grove Baptist Church. He loves teaching children the musical arts!
Forrest Brown - Beginner & Intermediate Guitar, Bass Guitar & Vocals
A native Charlottean, Forrest has been performing in the area since he was 17 years old. He has studied music at Berkley College of Music, City College of New York, Central Piedmont Community College and Appalachian State University, where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Forrest has studied under such notables as Ron Brendle, Lynn Peters, and Jimmy Duckworth. Forrest worked in Corporate America until April of 2009 when he decided to leave to pursue a career in music. He hasn’t been happier! At Streetwise Forrest teaches guitar, bass guitar and voice. His resume includes stints with Theatre Charlotte, CPCC Summer Theatre, The Singing Christmas Tree, Clayter-Kaye Theatre works, End of the World Records, Wink Keziah, Charlotte Symphony Pops, Spartanburg Chamber Orchestra, and many others. He currently plays bass with Jeff Hartman & Friends, West Bolz, Monday Night All-Stars and The Thread. Forrest is currently endorsed by Aguilar amps and Fearless Cabinets. Forrest is also the Contemporary Worship Leader at Webb’s Chapel Methodist in Denver, NC where he leads the praise band and contributes an occasional reading or two. Forrest is excited to be teaching Charlotte’s budding musicians at Streetwise and hopes to continue for many years!
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Dale Eckholm - Beginner Guitar
(Teaches at the Ballantyne Location)
Originally from Bismarck, North Dakota, Dale has lived in the Charlotte area since 1999. He started taking guitar lessons at age 9 (way back in 1971) and has been playing ever since - 38 years! His teachers all taught him to play by ear and by using lots of repetition to get timing worked out. Dale's influences come from classic rock bands such as AC/DC, Aerosmith, Big Hair Bands of the 1980's such as Ratt and Motley Crue to bluesy stuff from ZZ Top. He spent most of the 1980's playing guitar around the Dakota's and Minnesota in bands called Zephyr and Elixer. He even contributed lead vocals and harmonies when needed. During this time period he was also a Nationally Registered E.M.T for 10 years. Dale is very proud of a Flying V that he custom back in the 1980's. His friends helped him select the parts that would work the best for it. The same friends own, operate and test equipment for Vintage Guitar Magazine. Dale is excited to be part of the Streetwise Team passing along his love for playing guitar to the kids of today!
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James Wilson - Drums & Percussion
(Teaches at the Ballantyne Location)
Originally from Statesville, NC James has been playing drums & percussion for 5 years. Even though he has played for a relatively short period of time, James has a lot of experience with percussion and children. He is a teacher's aid in Extreme Kids, which is a musical program designed to enhance a child's ability to understand rhythm and music. He also plays in and help's instruct the youth praise band, Soul Activity, at Stough Memorial Baptist Church. Lastly, he is employed by the University of North Carolina-Charlotte as an accompanist. James' biggest influences are his mentors, Stephen Cutchins and Josh Walker. His favorite bands are Project 3:23, For Today, The Devil Wears Prada, Underoathe, and August Burns Red. James plans to enroll in Winthrop University in 2010 to pursue a Bachelors Degree in Music Education.
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2 AREA LOCATIONS:
8173 Ardrey Kell Road, Charlotte, NC Phone: 704.847.4336
14015 E. Independence Blvd. Indian Trail, NC Phone: 704.882.5775