MEET THE TEACHING STAFF!
IXCHEL
LÓPEZ
Lead Teacher
Acting for Film/TV & Stage I & II, Acting & Modeling I & II, Adult Acting, Adult Pro, Talent Inc.
Miss Ixchel is an actor, dancer, singer, director, choreographer, and model, having worked in Hawaii, the West Coast, and the Southeast. Her students have gone on to programs at the New York Film Academy, the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Cornell University, and other institutions in the US and beyond. Onstage, Ixchel originated the role of Marie in Hello, My Baby! and appeared in various productions throughout the US. Favorite credits include: Miss Saigon (Gigi), Damn Yankees (Lola), In the Heights (Daniela), and The Rocky Horror Show (Magenta). On camera, she has appeared in various films, VO campaigns, and commercials, including Hawaii 5-0, Bring It On 5: Fight to the Finish, Shirts vs. Skins, First Hawaiian Bank, Hawaiian Airlines, and more. Ixchel recently walked for Clifford Campbell, Lani Lau, and Majun Okinawa in Hawaii Fashion Week, and for Keha Clothing in the MAMo Wearable Art Show. She is also a current face for HMSA and a part of Improv Hawaii's house team, Thoroughly Modern Biggie, where she performs improvised musicals and improv comedy sets. Miss Ixchel loves working with students of all ages and helping them push to find their best selves!
CARLO
FAJOTA
Modeling I, Modeling II, Elite Team Guest Instructor
Dancer-turned-model, Carlo Fajota has been in the industry since 2017. His work in New York led him to shoot for world-renowned photographer, Natalia Wajda; for Marvel in Avengers: Endgame; and in a promotional film for the Blur App. In Los Angeles, he worked with various creative directors and photographers, most notably under the direction of America’s Next Top Model winner, Laura James. In his home of Hawaii, Carlo has walked for various runway shows, including Hawaii Fashion Week. Carlo now has his own streetwear clothing brand, which he also models for and does many social media collaborations for other fashion businesses. Carlo can’t wait to share his knowledge with all the students in his classes!
MOKU
DURANT
Acting I
Mr. Moku currently works in the theatre department at Kamehameha School and has worked on countless shows as a musical director over the past 6 years, most recently working on Into the Woods, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Little Shop of Horrors. Onstage, he was last seen starring as William Barfé in Manoa Valley Theatre's production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Prior to that, he has appeared in In the Heights, Newsies, A Charlie Brown Christmas, The Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins and many more. As for the screen, Moku can be seen in campaigns for Hawaiian Telcom, Hawaiian Airlines, and American Savings Bank, as well as a co-star appearance in Season 9 of Hawaii 5-0. Moku loves working with his students and helping them have fun and letting go!
NAOMI
COOPER
Guest Instructor
Miss Naomi has over 20 years in the Modeling & Acting industry, starting with her first commercial photoshoot at age 11 in her hometown in Maui. At 13, she trained with SPM in a Modeling & Etiquette course, and from there, began receiving interest from photographers, agencies, casting directors and fashion brands. By 16, she was booking fashions shows for Ala Moana Mall, features in local magazines like Modern Luxury and Free Surf, as well as landing commercials for brands like Taco Bell and Coca Cola. Her acting work led to speaking roles in small films like “One Kine Day” and most recently appeared in Magnum PI. Now as a mother with three young children, she and her family have been booked for major commercial campaigns like Hilton Hawaiian Villages, Honda Hawaii, Hawaiian Airlines and VRBO. Naomi’s expertise has lead to runway choreography and casting for local fashion brands like Manaola Hawaii and Valerie Joseph’s POSHd. She is also a member of the national SAG-Aftra Union and the Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals Hawaii division.