About Our Orchestra

The Kauaʻi ʻŌpio and Keiki Orchestra (KOKO) offers free orchestral string lessons to students. None of the public schools on Kauaʻi are able to offer string classes. This ensemble provides an opportunity for students to learn to play orchestral strings. We currently have a program through the Boys and Girls Club in Lihūʻe and will be offering a community-based PreK Violin program. KOKO is directed by music educator Megan Lawson. KOKO is part of the Kauaʻi Association for Music Education.
Our Director

Megan Lawson is a talented and dedicated educator. She has spent fifteen years teaching privately and in the classroom in the USA and China. In New York, NY and in Los Angeles, CA she taught with Education Through Music, Inc. (ETM) and Education Through Music – Los Angeles (ETM-LA). During graduate school and while working for ETM-LA she organized an after-school orchestra program, several educational professional development workshops, and artistic festivals. Her educational focus involves engaging younger and older audiences to experience art and creativity on communal and multi-cultural levels that encompass the American identity. Through her experience as a teacher she has developed the skills to not just improve students’ musical technique, but to engage their creative and artistic processes through the organization of musical performances.
Lawson is the Manager for the nationally performing music group Desperado Orchestra. Through Desperado Orchestra Music Education (DOME), she also runs educational programs, teaching groups, and private lessons. She has also taught at Koloa Elementary, with Kauaˋi Parks and Recreations youth programs, and at ˋEleˋele Elementary School.
BFA, Sarah Lawrence College
MFA, California Institute of the Arts
Lawson is the Manager for the nationally performing music group Desperado Orchestra. Through Desperado Orchestra Music Education (DOME), she also runs educational programs, teaching groups, and private lessons. She has also taught at Koloa Elementary, with Kauaˋi Parks and Recreations youth programs, and at ˋEleˋele Elementary School.
BFA, Sarah Lawrence College
MFA, California Institute of the Arts