Shining from Kaua'i, Hawai'i

SHINE Model & Talent Academy

ConfidenceBegins Here.

A confidence-first model and talent academy where students ages 10–17 develop professional skills in commercial print modeling, runway, and on-camera acting while discovering the confidence to SHINE as their authentic selves.

SHINE Founder and Lead Instructor, Jacyn Fain

SHINE Model & Talent Academy

Course details

Join us for the Fall 2026 Academy!The Academy runs August 23 – November 8, 2026, at the Hawaiʻi Children's Theatre Warehouse in Puhi.Class schedule: Every Sunday | 9:00–11:00 a.m.The program culminates in a Runway Show on November 8, where students will showcase everything they've learned. (Show time will be announced at a later date.)Ready to get started? Register and submit your payment through the Hawaiʻi Children's Theatre website below.

SHINE Model & Talent Academy

More Than a Modeling Academy

At SHINE, we believe confidence isn’t something children earn—it’s something they remember.

Every young person is born worthy, creative, expressive, and enough exactly as they are. Sometimes that confidence simply becomes hidden beneath fear, comparison, self-doubt, or the opinions of others.

Our role is not to create confidence.
Our role is to encourage it, nurture it, and help students remember the light that has been within them all along.

Through positive mentorship, creativity, professional training, and a supportive community, students discover that their greatest strength isn’t looking like someone else—it’s confidently being themselves.

Our Mission

SHINE Model & Talent Academy is a confidence-based modeling and commercial acting program designed to celebrate authenticity, individuality, and self-expression.

Students learn professional skills in commercial print modeling, runway, and on-camera acting while developing confidence that extends far beyond the runway—into auditions, school, public speaking, leadership, and everyday life.

At SHINE, we celebrate authenticity over perfection, uniqueness over comparison, confidence over competition, and growth over fear.

What Students Learn

Throughout our 12-week academy, students receive professional instruction in:

  • • Commercial Print Modeling

  • • Runway Modeling

  • • On-Camera Commercial Acting

  • • Professional Photoshoot Experience

  • • Mock Commercial Auditions

  • • Posing & Natural Movement

  • • Stage Presence

  • • Facial Expressions

  • • Industry Readiness

  • • Professional Etiquette

  • • Self-Confidence

  • • Authentic Self-Expression

SHINE Model & Talent Academy

More Than Modeling

The lessons learned at SHINE last far beyond the runway.

Students leave with stronger communication skills, greater self-confidence, healthier self-esteem, increased creativity, leadership skills, professionalism, and the courage to express themselves authentically.

Whether they dream of becoming professional models, actors, performers, entrepreneurs, or simply want to become more confident in everyday life, SHINE provides skills that will serve them for years to come.

The SHINE Experience

Small class sizes allow every student to receive individualized coaching, encouragement, and personal attention.

Every class is designed to be engaging, uplifting, creative, and fun while challenging students to step outside of their comfort zones in a safe and supportive environment.

Students quickly become part of a community that celebrates one another’s growth, individuality, and success.

SHINE Model & Talent Academy

The SHINE Showcase

The academy culminates with The SHINE Showcase, a professionally produced fashion event celebrating confidence, creativity, community, and local businesses.

Students take the runway modeling apparel and accessories from Hawaiʻi boutiques, designers, and community partners while showcasing the professionalism, stage presence, and confidence they have developed throughout the academy.

Following the runway presentation, guests are invited to enjoy the SHINE Fashion & Marketplace, featuring local boutiques, artisan vendors, food and beverage vendors, and interactive shopping experiences.

Families, friends, and community members are invited to shop local, discover incredible Hawaiʻi businesses, and celebrate the accomplishments of every student.
More than a runway show, the SHINE Showcase is a celebration of courage, authenticity, creativity, and community.

SHINE Model & Talent Academy

Professional Portfolio Package

Students interested in pursuing modeling professionally have the option to purchase our Professional Portfolio Package, which includes a professional headshot, eight professionally edited commercial images, a digital gallery, a professional comp card, and a portfolio consultation with Jacyn and the photographer.

SHINE Model & Talent Academy

Why Parents Love SHINE

Parents love SHINE because it is about so much more than modeling.

Our academy encourages confidence without comparison, celebrates every student’s individuality, and teaches young people that they never need to change who they are to shine.
Students leave feeling more confident, more expressive, more courageous, and more comfortable being seen.

Why Students Love SHINE

Students love making new friends, learning professional modeling skills, participating in exciting photoshoots, walking the runway, expressing their creativity, and discovering new confidence in themselves.
Every class is filled with encouragement, laughter, creativity, and opportunities to grow.

SHINE Model & Talent Academy

Our Philosophy

We believe the world doesn’t need more young people trying to fit in.
It needs more young people who feel confident enough to stand out by simply being themselves.

At SHINE, authenticity is celebrated.

Individuality is encouraged.
Confidence is remembered.

And every student is invited to discover just how brightly they were created to shine.

SHINE Model & Talent Academy

Join the SHINE Family

Whether your child dreams of modeling professionally, appearing in commercials, performing on stage, or simply becoming more confident, SHINE Model & Talent Academy provides a joyful, supportive, and professional environment where they can grow, thrive, and shine.
Because the most beautiful thing anyone can wear is the confidence to be authentically themselves.

SHINE Model & Talent Academy

Meet Jacyn Fain, Founder

SHINE Founder and Lead Instructor, Jacyn Fain, is a proud Kaua'i girl who is thrilled to bring her passion for positivity, authenticity, and personal growth together with real-world industry experience.

After spending 16 years living and working in New York City, Jacyn built a successful career in both musical theater and the modeling industry. Signed with one of the world’s leading agencies, Wilhelmina Models, she had the opportunity to work with nationally recognized brands including Nike, Target, and Sports Authority, and appeared in publications such as Glamour and Women’s Health. Her career also included commercial print, e-commerce, book cover modeling, promotional work, and runway, giving her experience across many areas of the industry.

Today, Jacyn is passionate about bringing everything she has learned back home to Kaua'i. Through SHINE, she is committed to helping young people build confidence, develop professionalism, strengthen communication skills, and discover the unique qualities that make them who they are. She believes true confidence isn’t something we learn to become, it is something we remember has been within us all along.

Whether a student dreams of pursuing modeling, acting, public speaking, or simply wants to grow in confidence and self-expression, Jacyn is dedicated to creating a fun, encouraging environment where every child is seen, celebrated, and empowered to SHINE.

SHINE Model & Talent Academy

Meet Sosa, Photograper and co-lead

Sosa is a photographer, creative director, and founder of Sosa Media 808, where she specializes in photography, video production, and marketing for businesses, artists, and community organizations across Kauaʻi. Her recent work includes creative collaborations with the Kauaʻi Concert Association, Kauaʻi Community Players, fashion designer Barbara Green, and numerous local entrepreneurs and small businesses—helping tell authentic stories through compelling visual content. As someone who proudly calls Kauaʻi home, she is passionate about supporting the island's creative community and showcasing the people who make it unique.Before relocating to Hawaiʻi, Sosa built her photography career in New York City and Los Angeles, gaining experience in fashion, portraiture, editorial, and commercial photography. In Los Angeles, she assisted on multiple The Washington Post editorial productions, including the 2017 Kennedy Center Honors, photographing notable figures such as LL Cool J, Lionel Richie, and Norman Lear. She also assisted on a special effects promotional photoshoot for Disney's A Wrinkle in Time featuring director Ava DuVernay.Her fashion industry experience includes conducting high-volume model casting photography for The Sagami Group/Perry Ellis, photographing approximately 100 models per day for brands including JAG, Jantzen, and Laundry. She also worked as a beauty photo retoucher for Forever 21, refining imagery for commercial campaigns.In New York City, Sosa served as a Teaching Assistant at the International Center of Photography, supporting courses in Beginning and Advanced Studio Lighting, Fashion Photography, and Darkroom techniques. She earned a Minor in Photography from Pace University and further developed her commercial photography skills through an internship with Jayne Wexler Photography.Today, Sosa combines technical expertise with an eye for authentic storytelling, creating fashion, portrait, editorial, and commercial imagery that celebrates individuality, movement, and human connection.

Contact us at [email protected] or fill out the form below