Four unidentified students of the Honolulu Conservatory of Music posed for this photograph in February of 1959. The young man at the far left is playing a Gretsch White Falcon Hollow Body Guitar. The other two young men are both behind triple-necked Fender steel guitars similar to the one played by Wayne Newton when he first appeared on the Jackie Gleason Show in 1956, although the one at the right is "playing" a ukelele. The girl is dressed to perform a hula dance. The Honolulu Conservatory of Music was owned by Karolyn & Floyd Piper who operated the school out of their home at 617 No. 2nd St. They specialized in instruction in Hawaiian music, teaching lessons on the ukelele, guitar and accordion.

Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stringed instruments; Hula dancing--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A musical variety show directed by George Spray was presented in the new auditorium at the Puyallup High School on January 31,1951 by the combined Orting, Puyallup and Sumner March of Dimes campaigns. A six member Hawaiian orchestra, made up of students from the Honolulu Conservatory of Music in Tacoma, provided instrumental and vocal music for the South Pacific section of the program. Rehearsing at the music school in Tacoma are: (standing) Donna Walters, on bass; and Pete Notley, vocalist. Seated are: Karol Piper, on guitar; Juanita Johnson and Howard Schroeder, on ukulele; and Floyd Piper, on steel guitar. (TNT 1-31-1951, pg. 21; similar photo used as cover for TNT Sound Life 11/15/1994, article by Bart Ripp "Music is her Paradise")

Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stringed instruments; Walters, Donna; Piper, Karolyn; Notley, Peter; Johnson, Juanita; Schroeder, Harold; Piper, Floyd; Ukuleles;

Accordion class at Honolulu Conservatory of Music. The Conservatory's busiest year was 1948. At that time, the school branched out into Spanish guitar, ukulele and accordion lessons. The school had a booth at the Puyallup Fair and its own floats in the Daffodil Parade. During its heyday, a neon guitar blinked red and blue marking the entrance to the school. Pictured in photo front row, left to right, Herb Erickson, director, Kay Zimmerman, Carol Fisk and Virginia Crombley. Back row Rolf Hartlieb, David Peterson, Shirley Heggen, Richard Erickson and Walter Haavik. (TNT Sound Life 11/15/1994, Section F, "Music is her Paradise" written by Bart Ripp, photo TNT 5/27/1951, pg D-9)

Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Accordions; Music Education--Tacoma--1950-1960; Erickson, Herb; Zimmerman, Kay; Fisk, Carol; Crombley, Virginia; Hartlieb, Rolf; Peterson, David; Heggen, Shirley; Erickson, Richard; Haavik, Walter;

In April of 1951, Floyd Piper was photographed teaching a class in Hawaiian guitar at his Honolulu Conservatory of Music. Mr Piper and his wife Karolyn had been teaching music in Tacoma since 1943. For over 75 years, there have been music schools operating under the franchise banner of the Honolulu Conservatory. The method of playing steel guitar taught at the school used numbers diagrammed inside notes, and was pioneered by a Hawaiian named Alex Hoapili. This method was adopted and franchised by a ambitious promoter named Harry G. Stanley, beginning in 1922. During its heyday in the late 40's, there were over three dozen towns with a Honolulu Conservatory of Music. After Floyd Piper died in 1973, his wife continued to teach from her home at 617 North 2nd Street. (TNT Sound Life 11/15/1994, Section F, "Music is her Paradise" written by Bart Ripp)

Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stringed instruments; Piper, Floyd; Music education--Tacoma--1950-1960; Children--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Interior picture at the Honolulu Conservatory of Music of instrument display and office. Students study rhythmic guitar music such as the traditional island song "Aloha Kamaaina" and the 1940's hit "Yaka Hula Hickey Dula." The studio offered instruments such as triple necked guitars, that are no longer commonly available. (TNT Sound Life 11/15/1994, Section F, "Music is her Paradise" written by Bart Ripp)

Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Music education--Tacoma--1950-1960; Guitars; Music stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Harold Schroeder demonstrates a steel guitar at the Honolulu Conservatory of Music. He stands in front of a display case with accordions and various Hawaiian guitars. The Conservatory was owned and operated by Karolyn and Floyd Piper. Their white frame house on No. 2nd St. served as their school, studio and home beginning in 1944. The Pipers taught Hawaiian music for guitar, ukulele and accordion and sold music, instruments and accessories to their students. (TNT Sound Life 11/15/1994, Section F, "Music is her Paradise" written by Bart Ripp)

Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Schroeder, Harold; Music education--Tacoma--1950-1960; Music stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Karolyn & Floyd Piper at the Honolulu Conservatory of Music. Karolyn sits at a Hawaiian guitar and Floyd holds a Gibson guitar with electrical pick-ups. A Gibson amplifier sits on the floor in front of them. The Pipers were the owners and teachers at the studio and school located at their white frame house on No. 2nd St. Karolyn was born Karolyn Kimmel in Fargo, N.D. When she fell in love with Hawaiian music in the 20's, she travelled to Omaha to take lessons at the Honolulu Conservatory franchise owned by Adalia and Charles Casper. Karolyn began teaching from door to door, travelling through storms and snow drifts. Her spunk captured the attention and then the heart of Floyd Piper, Adalia Casper's son. The couple married and in 1943 joined the Caspers in Tacoma where they had opened another Honolulu Conservatory in the Bernice Building, 931 Broadway. The Pipers moved to 2nd St., opened the studio-school in their home and the Caspers opened another school in Seattle. (TNT Sound Life 11/15/1994, Section F "Music is her Paradise" written by Bart Ripp)

Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Guitars; Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Piper, Karolyn; Piper, Floyd; Music education--Tacoma--1950-1960;