Karl was born
and raised in Boston Ma, where he began playing the guitar at the age of 9. As a teenager he became serious about playing
music and began practicing during the day and sneaking into music clubs at
night. By the time Karl graduated high
school he was a well known blues guitarist in the Boston club scene. It was during those performances that he met
a guitar instructor that helped him enroll in the Berklee College of Music. After a two year stay at Berklee, Karl moved
to Hollywood, CA to study at the world renowned Musicians Institute. There he honed his skills as a guitarist studying
various styles and disciplines. Karl
relocated to Charlotte in 1991 and began teaching music in 1994. After teaching at several well known music
stores in Charlotte such as Music & Arts and Mars Music, Karl founded
Streetwise Music in 2001. Over the last
16 years Karl has taught over 47,000 lessons.
He also helped launch the start of several other music instruction
stores in Charlotte including Music Matters, Music Quarters and Jim Hickey
Music. Currently Karl oversees all the
private instruction as well as the School of Rock program at Streetwise. He is excited about continuing to expand
Streetwise throughout Charlotte and eventually into other markets in the near
future.
Rebekah Yaffe - Vocals, Piano & Beginner Guitar ** Newest Addition to our Team **
(Teaches at the Indian Trail Location)
Originally from Colorado, music has always been a huge part of Rebekah’s life. She has been singing as long as she can remember; everything from choir in elementary school to competition ensembles in high school. In college she learned the fundamentals of songwriting and has been writing, performing and producing her songs ever since. She is now in the process of recording her first album. Playing the piano at age 7, she received training in theory and composition. Wherever there was a piano, she was on it. Learning to play the guitar was always a desire of hers, and out of necessity she taught herself about 5 years ago in college. She has loved playing the guitar since. With the option of leading with guitar or piano, she has been the lead singer in multiple full-time bands over the past year. Rebekah is currently learning the violin using the Suzuki method and is thrilled to play it. Her influences are varied as she believes in the diversity of sounds. Her favorite genres are alternative, rock, contemporary, blues, pop and jazz. Rebekah loves working with kids in music and imparting her passion for the arts. She is very excited to be a part of Streetwise Music and can't wait to see the kids come alive as they discover who they are not only as musicians but as world changers.
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
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!
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!
.
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.
.
Brendon Blackwelder - Drums & Percussion 
(Teaches at the Indian Trail Location)
.
.
.
.
Elizabeth Hareza - School of Rock Program Instructor only
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 sharing her passion and enthusiasm for music with her Streetwise students!
.
.
.
.