Kynch Pádraig O'Kaine, Lecturer (Jazz Guitar),holds a B.M. in Studio Music and Jazz, and an M.M.degree in Jazz Pedagogy from the University of Miami. Aside from being a faculty member for the past 16 years, O'Kaine is a singer/songwriter whose songs have been recognized in national songwriting competitions. Having written and produced "Traces," his debut CD, he was signed as recording artist to the Magic City record label.

O'Kaine performs and records regularly as a freelance guitarist in a variety of genres. A multi-instrumentalist (Uilleann Pipes, Concertina, Flute, Whistle, and Banjo,) his skills on the Irish Uilleann Pipes were recorded by Emilio Estefan for an internationally acclaimed artist Shalim. He also appears on  CD "Green is the Color...of Hope," benefiting the Brenden Heart Fund. In addition, he was personally invited by Paddy Moloney to play with The Chieftains. His transcriptions and articles have been published in the quarterly "Iris na bPíobairí." Many more of his transcriptions have been published in the book: "Tea in Connemara," written by Dr. Lewis S. Blevins Jr. M.D. 

Most recently, O'Kaine recorded for Grammy nominated Latin recording artist Nicole. He was also awarded a DownBeat award for "Engineered Studio Recording; College Outstanding Performance" as the director and producer of University of Miami's Jazz Guitar Ensemble 1. O'Kaine was invited by the publishing company Prentice Hall to help edit the text: "Rock and Roll: It's History and Stylistic Development (Stuessy & Lipsocomb).  He has received endorsements from Tyler Guitars, John Suhr Amplifiers , Guytron Amplifiers, Gold Tone Banjo Company, and the Fred Kelly Pick company.

He has also earned his Florida Teaching Certification and is currently working on a book aimed at helping those who are in the learning stages of Jazz Improvisation on Guitar.