Jam'n Mike's Place with Kapua Tai

Mike's Place (c) Mike McGuiness 2002

Every now and then, a student comes along who reminds you exactly why you love teaching music — and for me, that’s Kapua Tai.

I’ve known Kapua’s whānau for a while; I’ve had the absolute privilege of playing in bands with his dad, who happens to be an incredible guitarist himself. His mum is an award-winning waiata singer-songwriter, known for her powerful voice and heartfelt storytelling through music. So you could say the musical talent runs deep in the Tai family — and Kapua is already proving it in his own way.

When we kicked off our guitar sessions about six months ago, Kapua was just getting started — learning the basics, finding his rhythm, and getting comfortable with the fretboard. Fast forward to today, and he’s absolutely rockin’ it! His progress has been amazing to watch. Whether it’s locking in a groove, nailing a riff, or putting his own flair on a tune, Kapua plays with that same spark and passion that makes music come alive.

What I love most is his curiosity — he’s not just learning songs, he’s exploring how music works, listening deeply, and developing his own sound. That’s the hallmark of a real musician in the making.

Keep an eye on this young guitarist — something tells me Kapua Tai is just getting started, and the best is yet to come. 🎶🔥

oung guitarist — something tells me Kapua Tai is just getting started, and the best is yet to come. 🎶🔥