FreshStart Founders - Kevin & Clare Kao

Kevin and Clare Kao are the founders of FreshStart Music Studio, where they build up a team of teachers and staff who grow together in their shared belief that teaching music is a privileged and noble calling.

They're passionate about building a studio that not only nurtures musical excellence but also prioritizes excellent teaching, mentorship, and community.
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With graduate training in piano performance and pedagogy, Kevin brings both integrity and educational expertise to his leadership. He believes the future of music education hinges on the quality of teaching today.

​When teachers communicate with clarity, connect with empathy, and care deeply for their students, music lessons become more than just skill-building—they become transformative experiences that shape a child’s confidence, character, and lifelong appreciation for the arts.
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His students consistently place at the top of competitions and festivals, both internationally and in the Music Teachers’ Association of California (MTAC) including being selected for the prestigious MTAC State Convention Panel Masterclass. But even more than these, he’s most proud for all his students who continue to love and pursue music in college, making music an integral part of their lives beyond his lessons.

He's also been featured in publications like VoyageLA and invited to speak to the next generation of teachers in music conservatory.

Teaching Philosophy
Credentials

Kevin and Clare are parents to four young children—two of whom have started their own music lesson journeys in piano and violin—giving them a deep, deep, personal understanding of the challenges (frustrations) and joys parents experience while navigating music lessons with their (strong-willed) children. Their own parenting journey shapes the way they lead the studio: with empathy, transparency, and a commitment to support all the FreshStart families.
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As lifelong learners themselves, Kevin and Clare believe that the best teachers are always growing—refining their craft, listening well, and leading with heart. Together, through trials, setbacks, and growth, they've built FreshStart into a music school where students, teachers, and families are nurtured in courage, artistry, and community.