Hawaii Youth Symphony Association 1110 University Avenue, Suite 200 Honolulu, Hawaii 96826-1598
The The Women Women HYS! HYS! The Women ofofof HYS! Hawaii Hawaii Youth Youth Symphony Symphony honored is honored to recognize recognize the the many many talented talented women women across across the the organization organization who who are are Hawaii Youth Symphony is ishonored totorecognize the many talented women across the organization who are devoting devoting their their time time toward toward the the continued continued success success of HYS HYS and and inspiring inspiring generations generations of future future leaders: leaders: devoting their time toward the continued success ofofHYS and inspiring generations ofoffuture leaders: HYS’ HYS’ board board leadership leadership comprised is comprised of allwomen! all women! women! Coming Coming together together from from distinguished distinguished backgrounds backgrounds aa HYS’ board leadership is iscomprised ofofall Coming together from distinguished backgrounds ininain shared shared purpose purpose of of investing investing in in our our young young people people through through music, music, these these visionaries visionaries include include Patti Patti Look Look (chair), (chair), shared purpose of investing in our young people through music, these visionaries include Patti Look (chair), Sharon Sharon Himeno Himeno (vice (vice chair), chair), Erica Erica Mau Mau (secretary), (secretary), and and Mary Mary Ellen Ellen Williams Williams (treasurer). (treasurer). Sharon Himeno (vice chair), Erica Mau (secretary), and Mary Ellen Williams (treasurer). Esteemed Esteemed members members of the the HYS HYS faculty faculty Susan Susan Ochi-Onishi Ochi-Onishi (Conductor, (Conductor, Youth Youth Symphony Symphony and II and Symphony+) Symphony+) and and Esteemed members ofofthe HYS faculty Susan Ochi-Onishi (Conductor, Youth Symphony II IIand Symphony+) and Hannah Hannah Watanabe Watanabe (Conductor, (Conductor, Concert Concert Orchestra Orchestra and and Symphony+) Symphony+) have have contributed contributed countless countless hours hours Hannah Watanabe (Conductor, Concert Orchestra and Symphony+) have contributed countless hours towards towards the the music music education education and and personal personal growth growth of HYS HYS students. students. towards the music education and personal growth ofofHYS students.
Spring Spring 2021 2021 Newsletter Newsletter Spring 2021 Newsletter
The The Ultimate Ultimate Summer Summer Music Music Camp Camp Returns Returns The Ultimate Summer Music Camp Returns
Aninvaluable An invaluable invaluable partner partner to HYS HYS in furthering furthering the the vision vision of making making music music a right, right, Boys Boys & Girls Girls Club Club of Hawaii Hawaii has has An partner totoHYS ininfurthering the vision ofofmaking music a aright, Boys &&Girls Club ofofHawaii has aa a majority majority of of women women in in leadership leadership positions. positions. Among Among them: them: Paddy Paddy Kauhane Kauhane (President/CEO), (President/CEO), Claudia Claudia “Lala” “Lala” majority of women in leadership positions. Among them: Paddy Kauhane (President/CEO), Claudia “Lala” Fernandez Fernandez (Director (Director of Operations), Operations), Brianna Brianna Villerosa Villerosa (Spalding (Spalding Clubhouse Clubhouse Director), Director), and and Maureen Maureen Purington Purington Fernandez (Director ofofOperations), Brianna Villerosa (Spalding Clubhouse Director), and Maureen Purington (Kailua (Kailua Clubhouse Clubhouse Director). Director). (Kailua Clubhouse Director). Mahalo Mahalo for their their commitment commitment to HYS HYS students students and and the the future future of our our community! community! Mahalo forfortheir commitment totoHYS students and the future ofofour community!
Resounding Resounding Welcome! Welcome! AAA Resounding Welcome!
Through the dedication and positive actions of faculty and staff, and the support of the community, Hawaii Youth Symphony has been able to keep its students involved in the art of music during unconventional times. This same spirit of commitment and creativity continues as HYS readies for the return of its Pacific Music Institute (PMI)—a worldwide summer music camp connecting students with distinguished clinicians, celebrated musicians, and new friends.
HYS HYS ishonored honored toannounce announce two two celebrated celebrated conductors conductors have have joined joined the the faculty: faculty: HYS is ishonored totoannounce two celebrated conductors have joined the faculty: MICHAEL MICHAEL LIM LIM adedicated dedicated music music teacher teacher and and professional professional violinist, violinist, MICHAEL LIM is isaisadedicated music teacher and professional violinist, selected selected byby the the Academy Academy search search committee committee tosucceed succeed Joan Joan Doike. Doike. selected by the Academy search committee totosucceed Joan Doike. Michael Michael will will be be working working with with HYS HYS Beginning Beginning String String Ensemble Ensemble and and String String Michael will be working with HYS Beginning String Ensemble and String Orchestra Orchestra Ensemble. Ensemble. Orchestra Ensemble.
Music Music Molokai Molokai Music ininin Molokai
Hawaii Hawaii Youth Youth Symphony Symphony outreach outreach Hawaii Youth Symphony outreach programs programs are are designed designed to complement complement programs are designed totocomplement existing existing musical musical communities communities onon existing musical communities on neighbor neighbor islands, islands, as as well well as as serve serve neighbor islands, as well as serve communities communities in need need of music music communities ininneed ofofmusic education education across across the the state. state. education across the state. InIn In partnership partnership with with Kaunakakai Kaunakakai partnership with Kaunakakai Elementary Elementary School School and and its dedicated dedicated Elementary School and itsitsdedicated teacher teacher and and talented talented musician, musician, Bob Bob teacher and talented musician, Bob Underwood, Underwood, HYS HYS has has been been providing providing Underwood, HYS has been providing free free lessons lessons and and workshops workshops to to Molokai Molokai free lessons and workshops to Molokai youth youth for for the the past past three three years. years. youth for the past three years. Prior Prior to the the pandemic, pandemic, these these Prior totothe pandemic, these weekend-long weekend-long workshops workshops were were held held weekend-long workshops were held inin in person. person. To To serve serve these these enthusiastic enthusiastic person. To serve these enthusiastic students students regardless regardless of travel travel being being put put students regardless ofoftravel being put onpause, on pause, pause, HYS HYS promptly promptly transitioned transitioned on HYS promptly transitioned tototo online online instruction, instruction, and and continues continues to provide provide joyous joyous learning learning experiences experiences to The The Friendly Friendly Isle! Isle! online instruction, and continues totoprovide joyous learning experiences totoThe Friendly Isle!
Agraduate graduate ofPunahou Punahou School, School, Michael Michael was was involved involved inPunahou’s Punahou’s AAgraduate ofofPunahou School, Michael was involved ininPunahou’s orchestra orchestra and and string string quartet quartet program, program, and and was was an an HYS HYS student student inthe the YSII YSII orchestra and string quartet program, and was an HYS student ininthe YSII and and YSIYSI orchestras orchestras during during hishis middle middle school school and and high high school school years. years. and YSI orchestras during his middle school and high school years. Michael Michael is is a a full-time full-time member member of of the the Hawaii Hawaii Symphony Symphony Orchestra Orchestra violin violin Michael is a full-time member of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra violin section section and and isthe the current current president president ofthe the Hawaii Hawaii Music Music Educators Educators section and is isthe current president ofofthe Hawaii Music Educators Association. Association. Association.
NOEL NOEL OKIMOTO OKIMOTO has has joined joined HYS HYS Jazz. Jazz. He He will will be be working working with with HYS HYS Jazz Jazz NOEL OKIMOTO has joined HYS Jazz. He will be working with HYS Jazz Director Director Dean Dean Taba Taba to to coach coach Combos Combos I & I & II. II. Director Dean Taba to coach Combos I & II. Noel's Noel's primary primary instrument instrument isthe the drum drum set, set, but but hehe isalso also anan Noel's primary instrument isisthe drum set, but he isisalso an accomplished accomplished orchestral orchestral percussionist, percussionist, vibraphonist, vibraphonist, composer, composer, and and accomplished orchestral percussionist, vibraphonist, composer, and clinician. clinician. He He has has played played in in Hawaii, Hawaii, the the mainland, mainland, and and internationally internationally clinician. He has played in Hawaii, the mainland, and internationally with with the the likes likes ofThe The Woody Woody Herman Herman Orchestra, Orchestra, Take Take 6,Henry Henry Mancini, Mancini, with the likes ofofThe Woody Herman Orchestra, Take 6,6,Henry Mancini, Natalie Natalie Cole, Cole, Kenny Kenny Loggins, Loggins, and and Dionne Dionne Warwick. Warwick. Noel Noel was was a a Natalie Cole, Kenny Loggins, and Dionne Warwick. Noel was a member member ofthe the Gabe Gabe Baltazar Baltazar Group Group forfor five five years, years, and and isthe the member ofofthe Gabe Baltazar Group for five years, and isisthe Royal Royal Hawaiian Hawaiian Band. Band. percussion percussion section section leader leader of of the the historic historic percussion section leader of the historic Royal Hawaiian Band.
HYS will be reinventing PMI for 2021, offering small in-person classes held at the spacious Hawaii Convention Center, as well as online instruction through the new PMI+ platform, available to accommodate Hawaii, U.S. mainland, and international students. This hybrid approach to PMI has been thoughtfully developed with the health of students and faculty in mind, and it is thrilling to watch the summer programming unfold. Courses offered this July will include Solo & String Quartet, Double Bass Workshop, Wind, Brass & Percussion Clinics, the Summer Jazz Intensive, and all-new Ukulele Workshop taught by HYS board member and ukulele virtuoso, Jake Shimabukuro. All students, including those opting for in-person instruction, will be invited to participate in the PMI+ masterclasses featuring celebrated faculty, insights into performance anxiety management, improvisation, and more. Students also have an opportunity to participate in online rehearsals for a newly commissioned work inspired by Hawaii. Following the cancellation of the 2020 session, this vibrant return of a 30-plus year tradition marks a musical triumph!
www.pacificmusichi.org www.pacificmusichi.org To learn more about PMI programming please visit www.pacificmusichi.org
President’s President’s President’sMessage: Message: Message: Randy Randy RandyWong Wong Wong
As AsAswe we wecollectively collectively collectivelymove move moveinto into intoaaa brighter brighter brighterspring, spring, spring,I’m I’m I’mdelighted delighted delightedto toto welcome welcome welcometwo two twodistinguished distinguished distinguishedartists artists artists into into intoour our ourHawaii Hawaii HawaiiYouth Youth YouthSymphony Symphony Symphony Ohana—Noel Ohana—Noel Ohana—NoelOkimoto Okimoto Okimotoand and and Michael Michael MichaelLim. Lim. Lim.II also also I alsowish wish wishto totoreflect reflect reflect on on onthe the thededication dedication dedicationof ofofour our ourfaculty faculty faculty and and and staff staff staff who who who have have havebeen been beenworking working workingtirelessly tirelessly tirelesslyto totohelp help helpkeep keep keep and staff who the the the music music music playing playing playing for for forour our ourstudents. students. students.Mahalo Mahalo Mahalofor for foryour your your the music playing vision, vision, vision, agility, agility, agility, and and andheart! heart! heart! vision, agility,
HYS+ HYS+ HYS+ has has has served served served as asasaaasource source sourceof ofofinspiration inspiration inspirationfor for forour our our HYS+ has served students students students these these these last last lastfew few fewmonths, months, months,and and andreflects reflects reflectsaaagraceful graceful graceful students these pivot pivot pivot and and and commitment commitment commitment from from fromthe the theHYS HYS HYSteam team teamto totoprovide provide provide pivot and commitment uninterrupted uninterrupted uninterrupted access access accessto totomusic music musiceducation. education. education.Our Our Ouronline online online uninterrupted programming programming programming has has has also also also offered offered offered exciting exciting exciting opportunities opportunities opportunities to toto programming bring bring bring in inin guest guest guest clinicians clinicians cliniciansand and andperformers performers performersfrom from fromacross across acrossthe the the bring in guest world world world of ofof music. music. music. world of music.
Expanding Expanding ExpandingDigital Digital DigitalFootprints Footprints Footprints Changing times need not change core objectives. In an ongoing journey to create awareness for the importance of music education, Hawaii Youth Symphony has broadened its digital avenues to better reach audiences. These efforts have enhanced engagement with HYS students, families, and supporters—as well as with wonderful new friends of the organization. Through an increased social media presence and making newsletters available online in addition to direct-mail, HYS has stepped up interacting with stakeholders as well as offering insights from the music community. The HYS website has also become a hub for performance content at a time when music is serving as a particularly healing and uniting force. HYS produced seven inspiring virtual concerts over the course of 2020, spotlighting the resiliency and creativity of students and faculty.
Continuing Continuing Music ContinuingMusic Music for for Youth by Youth forYouth Youthby byYouth Youth What What makes music great? How—and what—do you Whatmakes makesmusic musicgreat? great?How—and How—andwhat—do what—doyou you listen listen listenfor? for? for?There There Thereare are aremany many manyways ways waysto totolisten, listen, listen,learn, learn, learn,and and and enjoy enjoy performance ofoflive live music. Through Hawaii enjoyaaaperformance performanceof livemusic. music.Through ThroughHawaii Hawaii Youth Youth Symphony’s free, educational Listen Learn YouthSymphony’s Symphony’sfree, free,educational educationalListen Listen&&&Learn Learn programs, programs, children across the state are introduced toto programs,children childrenacross acrossthe thestate stateare areintroduced introducedto the the themagic magic magicof ofoforchestral orchestral orchestralmusic music musicand and andits itsitsinstruments, instruments, instruments,in inin concerts concerts performed for youth by youth. Endorsed by concertsperformed performedfor foryouth youthby byyouth. youth.Endorsed Endorsedby by the the Department ofofEducation, Education, teachers are provided theDepartment Departmentof Education,teachers teachersare areprovided provided with with guides and student worksheets totohelp help their withguides guidesand andstudent studentworksheets worksheetsto helptheir their classrooms classrooms classroomsprepare prepare preparefor for forenriching enriching enrichingexperiences. experiences. experiences.These These These concerts concerts have been part ofofHYS’ HYS’ culture ofof concertshave havebeen beenaaapart partof HYS’culture cultureof community community service for over 50 years and take their communityservice servicefor forover over50 50years yearsand andtake taketheir their inspiration inspiration from Leonard Bernstein’s Young People’s inspirationfrom fromLeonard LeonardBernstein’s Bernstein’sYoung YoungPeople’s People’s Concerts Concerts Concertswith with withthe the theNew New NewYork York YorkPhilharmonic. Philharmonic. Philharmonic.
Students Students StudentsKeeping Keeping KeepingStudents Students StudentsSafe Safe Safe
Bravo Bravo Bravo to toto the the the Kalani Kalani KalaniHigh High HighSchool School Schoolrobotics robotics roboticsteam team teamfor for for Bravo to the making making making specialized specialized specialized “flute “flute “fluteshields” shields” shields”that that thatingeniously ingeniously ingeniously making specialized intertwine intertwine intertwine music music music making making makingwith with withsafety safety safetymeasures! measures! measures! intertwine music Hawaii Hawaii Hawaii Youth Youth Youth Symphony Symphony Symphonyrecently recently recentlypurchased purchased purchasedseveral several several Hawaii Youth of ofof the the the shields, shields, shields, and and and we we we applaud applaud applaud the the the inventiveness inventiveness inventiveness of the shields, and and and community community community spirit spirit spiritof ofofthese these theseyoung young youngdesigners. designers. designers. and community
With the continued generous support of the community, HYS has been able to keep young people from all walks of life involved in the art of music during these unconventional times. To meet the needs of serving our students through enriching programs, scholarships, neighbor island outreach, and more, HYS has boosted its email and social media appeals and calls to action. The online and televised Na Mele gala fundraiser in December virtually transformed outreach possibilities, reaching a new global audience for HYS, underscoring the advantages of changing with the times while staying true to a core mission.
Follow Follow Followus ususon on onsocial social socialmedia media media @hiyouthsymphony @hiyouthsymphony @hiyouthsymphony
Currently Currently Currentlyan an an11th 11th 11thgrader grader graderat atat atRoosevelt Roosevelt RooseveltHigh High HighSchool, School, School, Currently an 11th grader Roosevelt High School, Kailyn Kailyn Kailyn shared shared shared that that that whether whether whether a a a Listen Listen Listen & & & Learn Learn Learn concert concert concertisisisis Kailyn shared that whether a Listen & Learn concert viewed viewed viewedin-person in-person in-personor oror oronline, online, online,her her herhope hope hopefor for foraudiences audiences audiencesisisisis viewed in-person online, her hope for audiences that that thatthey they theywill will willtake take takeaway away awayaaaanewfound newfound newfoundappreciation appreciation appreciationfor for for that they will take away newfound appreciation for music music musicfrom from fromtheir their theirexperience, experience, experience,and and andperhaps perhaps perhapsdecide decide decideto toto to music from their experience, and perhaps decide make make maketheir their theirown own ownmusic music musicin inin inthe the thefuture. future. future.She She Shealso also alsolooks looks looks make their own music the future. She also looks forward forward forwardto toto tothe the thereturn return returnof ofof oflive live liveperformances, performances, performances,and and andto toto to forward the return live performances, and sharing sharing sharingin inin inthe the theenergy energy energythat that thatcomes comes comesfrom from fromthe the thestudent student student sharing the energy that comes from the student listeners. listeners. listeners. listeners. “I“I“I “Ipersonally personally personallylove love lovethe the theprogram, program, program,and and andititititisisisisfun fun funto toto tosee see seethe the the personally love the program, and fun see the audience audience audiencelight light lightup up upwith with withexcitement excitement excitementwhen when whenwe we weplay play playfor for for audience light up with excitement when we play for them. them. them.II want I want wantthem them themto toto toget get getaaaagist gist gistof ofof ofhow how howan an aninstrument instrument instrument them. Iwant them get gist how an instrument works works works while while while showing showing showing what what what impressive impressive impressive things things things can canbe be be works while showing what impressive thingscan can be done done donewith with withit. it.it. it.II hope I hope hopewe we wecontinue continue continuethis this thisprogram program programfor for forthe the the done with Ihope we continue this program for the young young youngpeople people peopleout out outthere, there, there,and and andhelp help helpcontinue continue continuethe the themusic music music young people out there, and help continue the music passion passion passionfor for forgenerations generations generationsin inin inthe the thefuture,” future,” future,”said said saidKailyn. Kailyn. Kailyn. passion for generations the future,” said Kailyn.
One One One recent recent recent example example example isisisour our ourSymphony+ Symphony+ Symphony+connection connection connectionwith with with One recent example violinist violinist violinist Midori. Midori. Midori. Encouraging Encouraging Encouragingyoung young youngmusicians musicians musiciansto totobe be be violinist Midori. actively actively actively making making making music music musicwith with witheach each eachother, other, other,even even evenfrom from fromafar, afar, afar, actively making Midori Midori Midori has has has been been been accepting accepting acceptingapplications applications applicationsfrom from fromyouth youth youth Midori has been orchestras orchestras orchestras to toto join join joinher her herin iningiving giving givingvirtual virtual virtualperformances performances performancesas asas orchestras to part part part of ofof her her her Orchestra Orchestra Orchestra Residencies Residencies ResidenciesProgram. Program. Program.We We Weare are are part of her Orchestra grateful grateful grateful for for for Midori’s Midori’s Midori’s endeavors endeavors endeavorsand and andthe the thegenerosity generosity generosityof ofofthe the the grateful for Midori’s music music music community. community. community. music community.
While While While there there there isisisnothing nothingmore more morejoyful joyful joyfulthan than thanplaying playing playinglive live livemusic music music While there isnothing together, together, together, these these these virtual virtual virtualclasses classes classeshave have haveenhanced enhanced enhancedour our our together, these organization organization organization and and and will will willcontinue continue continueto totobe be beaaaharmonizing harmonizing harmonizing organization and component component component of of of future future future HYS HYS HYS programming, programming, programming, even even evenas asas component of traditional traditional traditional instruction instruction instruction returns. returns. returns.Looking Looking Lookingahead, ahead, ahead,our our ourPacific Pacific Pacific traditional instruction Music Music Music Institute Institute Institute summer summer summermusic music musiccamp camp campwill will willtake take takean an anexciting exciting exciting Music Institute hybrid hybrid hybrid approach approach approach for for for2021. 2021. 2021.With With Withsmall small smallin-person in-person in-personand and and hybrid approach online online online learning learning learning opportunities, opportunities, opportunities, PMI PMI PMI will will will be be be bringing bringing bringing the the the online learning best best best of ofof both both both worlds worlds worlds to totoyoung young youngpeople people peoplethroughout throughout throughoutHawaii Hawaii Hawaii best of both worlds and and and beyond. beyond. beyond. and beyond.
Listen Listen Listen&&& &Learn Learn Learnconcert. concert. concert.She She Shehas has hasbeen been beenparticipating participating participatingin inin in Listen Learn concert. She has been participating these these theseconcerts concerts concertsevery every everyyear year yearsince—including since—including since—includingbeing being being these concerts every year since—including being featured featured featuredin inin inthe the the2020 2020 2020virtual virtual virtualperformance—and performance—and performance—andhas has has featured the 2020 virtual performance—and has been been beeninspired inspired inspiredto toto togive give giveback back backto toto tothe the thecommunity. community. community. been inspired give back the community.
'Ōlelo 'Ōlelo Community Relations Manager Georgette 'ŌleloCommunity CommunityRelations RelationsManager ManagerGeorgette Georgette Stevens Stevens has passion for promoting learning Stevenshas hasaaapassion passionfor forpromoting promotinglearning learning opportunities opportunities for young people and special opportunitiesfor foryoung youngpeople peopleand andaaaspecial special connection connection connectionto totolong-time long-time long-timeHYS HYS HYSpartner, partner, partner,Boys Boys Boys&&&Girls Girls GirlsClub Club Club Hawaii. Hawaii. Serving on the board ofofBGCH BGCH and asasan an Hawaii.Serving Servingon onthe theboard boardof BGCHand andas an advocate advocate for the Nanakuli Clubhouse and community, advocatefor forthe theNanakuli NanakuliClubhouse Clubhouseand andcommunity, community, Ms. Ms. Stevens welcomes the efforts ofofHYS HYS totoboth both Ms.Stevens Stevenswelcomes welcomesthe theefforts effortsof HYSto both broadcast broadcast broadcastListen Listen Listen&&&Learn Learn Learnthrough through through'Ōlelo, 'Ōlelo, 'Ōlelo,as asaswell well wellas asasits itsits support support ofofClubhouse Clubhouse string lessons totoserve serve West Oahu supportof Clubhousestring stringlessons lessonsto serveWest WestOahu Oahu “It vital we continue totocelebrate celebrate the arts keiki. keiki. “Itisisisvital vitalwe wecontinue continueto celebratethe thearts arts keiki.“It and and create accessibility totoeducation education for all our andcreate createaccessibility accessibilityto educationfor forall allour our Keeping Keepingour our ourkeiki keiki keikiconnected connected connected island island islandcommunities. communities. communities.Keeping with with these for youth, by youth performances offers withthese thesefor foryouth, youth,by byyouth youthperformances performancesoffers offersaaa wonderful wonderful way totoengage engage young minds ininthese these wonderfulway wayto engageyoung youngminds mindsin these challenging challenging times,” said Ms. Stevens. challengingtimes,” times,”said saidMs. Ms.Stevens. Stevens. As AsAsinspiring inspiring asasListen Listen Learn opportunities are for the inspiringas Listen&&&Learn Learnopportunities opportunitiesare arefor forthe the young young people who get exposed totoorchestral orchestral music youngpeople peoplewho whoget getexposed exposedto orchestralmusic music through through the program, they are just asaspowerful powerful for the throughthe theprogram, program,they theyare arejust justas powerfulfor forthe the HYS HYS HYSstudent student studentperformers performers performersthemselves. themselves. themselves.One One Onesuch such suchstudent, student, student, Kailyn Kailyn Isobe, joined HYS inin2018-2019 2018-2019 where she played KailynIsobe, Isobe,joined joinedHYS HYSin 2018-2019where whereshe sheplayed played horn horn ininConcert Concert Orchestra and took part ininher her first hornin ConcertOrchestra Orchestraand andtook tookpart partin herfirst first
Mobilizing Mobilizing Mobilizingfor for forMusic! Music! Music! Mobilizing for Music! Hawaii Hawaii HawaiiYouth Youth YouthSymphony Symphony Symphonyhas has hasnot not notonly only onlybeen been beenfocused focused focused Hawaii Youth Symphony has not only been focused on on onkeeping keeping keepingthe the themusic music musicplaying, playing, playing,but but butin inin incontinually continually continually on keeping the music playing, but continually moving moving movingforward. forward. forward.The The Theorganization organization organizationisisisiscommitted committed committedto to to moving forward. The organization committed to bringing bringing bringingjoy joy joythrough through throughmaking making makingmusic music musicto to toenhance enhance enhancethe the the bringing joy through making music to enhance the community’s community’s community’scollective collective collectivemental mental mentalhealth health healthand and andhealing, healing, healing, community’s collective mental health and healing, and and andto to tobe be beready ready readyfor for fornew new newopportunities. opportunities. opportunities.These These Theseefforts efforts efforts and to be ready for new opportunities. These efforts require require requirean an anongoing ongoing ongoingability ability abilityto to toswiftly swiftly swiftlypivot pivot pivotaround around aroundthe the the require an ongoing ability to swiftly pivot around the challenges, challenges, challenges,reimagine reimagine reimaginewhen when whenneeded, needed, needed,and and andto to toinspire inspire inspire challenges, reimagine when needed, and to inspire momentum. momentum. momentum. momentum. Early Early Earlyon on onin inin inresponse response responseto to tothe the the Early on response to the pandemic, pandemic, pandemic,HYS HYS HYSformed formed formedaaaa pandemic, HYS formed COVID-19 COVID-19 COVID-19task task taskforce force forcecharged charged charged COVID-19 task force charged with with with following following following science science science and and with following scienceand and staying staying stayingabreast abreast abreastof of ofevolving evolving evolving staying abreast of evolving evidence-based evidence-based evidence-basedliterature literature literatureto to to evidence-based literature to provide provide providethe the thesafest safest safestand and andmost most most provide the safest and most nurturing nurturing nurturinglearning learning learningenvironment environment environment nurturing learning environment possible. possible. possible.To To Tolead lead leadthese these these possible. To lead these endeavors, endeavors, endeavors,HYS HYS HYSwas was wasfortunate fortunate fortunate endeavors, HYS was fortunate to to tohave have haveboth both bothaaaadedicated dedicated dedicated to have both dedicated board board boardmember member memberand and andan an anesteemed esteemed esteemedmedical medical medicalprofessional professional professional board member and an esteemed medical professional in inin inDr. Dr. Dr.Geoffrey Geoffrey GeoffreySewell. Sewell. Sewell. Dr. Geoffrey Sewell. know knowthat that thatplaying playing playingmusic music musictogether, together, together,even even evenvirtually, virtually, virtually, “We “We “Weknow know that playing music together, even virtually, “We helps helps helps combat combat combat the the the loneliness loneliness loneliness caused caused caused by by by separtion separtion separtion helps combat the loneliness caused by separtion said saidDr. Dr. Dr.Sewell. Sewell. Sewell.“As “As “Asthe the thescientific scientific scientific and and andisolation,” isolation,” isolation,”said said Dr. Sewell. “As the scientific and isolation,” literature literature literatureevolved, evolved, evolved,HYS HYS HYSalso also alsomoved moved movedquickly quickly quicklyto to tosecure secure secure literature evolved, HYS also moved quickly to secure socially-distanced socially-distanced socially-distancedvenues venues venueswith with withappropriate appropriate appropriatesafety safety safety socially-distanced venues with appropriate safety measures measures measuresto to toallow allow allowfor for forin-person in-person in-personsessions, sessions, sessions,further further further measures to allow for in-person sessions, further improving improving improvingthe the thehealth health healthand and andwell-being well-being well-beingof of ofour our ourstudents students studentsand and and improving the health and well-being of our students and faculty.” faculty.” faculty.” faculty.”
Ka Ka Ka nnnnplaying playing playingthe the thehorn horn hornfor for for2020 2020 2020Listen Listen Listenand and andLearn Learn LearnVirtual Virtual Virtual ily ily ily Ka playing the horn for 2020 Listen and Learn Virtual ily Performance. Performance. Performance. Performance. She She Shereflected reflected reflectedon on onhow how howHYS HYS HYShas has hasaccommodated accommodated accommodatedits itsits its She reflected on how HYS has accommodated students students students during during during the the the pandemic pandemic pandemic through through through HYS+ HYS+ HYS+ online online online students during the pandemic through HYS+ online learning. learning. learning.Kailyn Kailyn Kailynhas has hasappreciated appreciated appreciatedbeing being beingable able ableto toto to learning. Kailyn has appreciated being able participate participate participatein inin inthe the theprogram program programover over overthe the thelast last lastfew few fewmonths, months, months, participate the program over the last few months, and and andin inin inkeeping keeping keepingconnected connected connectedwith with withmusic music musicand and andfriends. friends. friends. and keeping connected with music and friends. “HYS “HYS “HYS is is is a a a place place place where where where I I can can I can be be be myself,” myself,” myself,” added added added “HYS is a place where I can be myself,” added Kailyn. Kailyn. Kailyn.“HYS “HYS “HYScreated created createdaaaaplace place placewhere where wherewe we wecould could couldvirtually virtually virtually Kailyn. “HYS created place where we could virtually learn learn learnabout about aboutvarious various variousmusic music musictopics, topics, topics,and and andeven even evenlearn learn learnfrom from from learn about various music topics, and even learn from professional professional professionalmusicians musicians musiciansthat that thatwe we wemight might mightnot not nothave have havehad had hadaaaa professional musicians that we might not have had chance chance chanceto toto towork work workwith with withbefore. before. before.HYS+ HYS+ HYS+isisisisinclusive inclusive inclusiveto toto to chance work with before. HYS+ inclusive everyone, everyone, everyone,even even evenstudents students studentsoutside outside outsidethe the thestate!” state!” state!” everyone, even students outside the state!”
With With Withsupport support supportfrom from fromboard board boardand and andcommunity community communitypartners, partners, partners, With support from board and community partners, HYS HYS HYShas has hasdeveloped developed developedcomprehensive comprehensive comprehensivesafety safety safetyprotocols protocols protocols HYS has developed comprehensive safety protocols to to tocommence commence commencelimited, limited, limited,in-person in-person in-personactivities. activities. activities.Measures Measures Measures to commence limited, in-person activities. Measures will will willinclude include includetemperature temperature temperaturechecks, checks, checks,social social socialdistancing distancing distancingof of of will include temperature checks, social distancing of 6-10 6-10 6-10 feet, feet, feet, increased increased increased sanitation sanitation sanitation and and and ventilation ventilation ventilation 6-10 feet, increased sanitation and ventilation
throughout throughout throughoutcommon common commonareas, areas, areas,and and andproviding providing providing throughout common areas, and providing instrument-specific instrument-specific instrument-specific PPE PPE PPE and and and practice practice practice guidelines. guidelines. instrument-specific PPE and practiceguidelines. guidelines. HYS HYS HYSDirector Director Directorof of ofOperations Operations OperationsAris Aris ArisDoike Doike Doikehas has hasbeen been beenworking working working HYS Director of Operations Aris Doike has been working closely closely closelywith with withsenior senior seniorleadership leadership leadershipto to todevelop develop developand and andimplement implement implement closely with senior leadership to develop and implement best best bestpractices, practices, practices,and and andto to toensure ensure ensurethat that thatall all allHYS HYS HYSprograms programs programsare are are best practices, and to ensure that all HYS programs are produced produced producedin inininaaaasafe safe safeand and andsecure secure securemanner. manner. manner.He He Hereflected reflected reflectedon on on produced safe and secure manner. He reflected on the the thechallenges challenges challengesof of ofnavigating navigating navigatinguncharted uncharted unchartedterritory, territory, territory,as as aswell well well the challenges of navigating uncharted territory, as well as as asthe the thehigh high highnotes notes notesof of ofbeing being beingable able ableto to tobring bring bringvibrant vibrant vibrantcreative creative creative as the high notes of being able to bring vibrant creative outlets outlets outlets to to to young young young people people people in in in need. need. need. outlets to young people in need. students studentshad had hadto to toadapt adapt adapt “Our “Our “Ourstudents students had to adapt “Our to to tonew new newand and andunfamiliar unfamiliar unfamiliarforms forms forms to new and unfamiliar forms of of ofeduction. eduction. eduction.Yet Yet Yetas as asour our our of eduction. Yet as our online online onlineprograms programs programs online programs progressed, progressed, progressed,they they they progressed, they presented presented presentednew new newlearning learning learning presented new learning opportunities— opportunities— opportunities— opportunities— masterclasses with musicians from our very own Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, a wealth of performances highlighted by by byinternational international international by international soloist, soloist, soloist,Midori, Midori, Midori,theory theory theoryclasses, classes, classes,conducting conducting conductinglessons, lessons, lessons,and and and soloist, Midori, theory classes, conducting lessons, and much much muchmore,” more,” more,”said said saidAris. Aris. Aris.“Looking “Looking “Lookingat at atthe the thepositive, positive, positive,our our our much more,” said Aris. “Looking at the positive, our students students studentsgained gained gainedsizeable sizeable sizeableaccess access accessto to tosome some someof of ofthe the thebest best best students gained sizeable access to some of the best teachers teachers teachers and and and performers performers performers across across across the the the globe globe globe through through through teachers and performers across the globe through online online onlineplatforms.” platforms.” platforms.” online platforms.” From From Fromcreating creating creatingdynamic dynamic dynamic From creating dynamic virtual virtual virtualprograming, programing, programing,to to to virtual programing, to developing developing developingprotocols protocols protocolsfor for foraaaa developing protocols for safe safe safereturn return returnto to tosmall small small safe return to small in-person in-person in-personlearning, learning, learning,HYS HYS HYShas has has in-person learning, HYS has overcome overcome overcomechange change changeand and and overcome change and grown grown grownmore more moreresilient resilient resilientin in in grown more resilient in advancing advancing advancingour our ourvision vision visionof of of advancing our vision of making making makingmusic music musicaaaaright. right. right. making music right. International International InternationalSoloist, Soloist, Soloist,Midori Midori Midori International Soloist, Midori
Board Directors Boardof ofDirectors Directors CHAIR: Patti Look | VICE CHAIR: Sharon R. Himeno SECRETARY: Erica Mau | TREASURER: Mary Ellen Williams DIRECTORS: Alan Arizumi, Collin Hoo, Martin Hsia, Richard K. Ing, Tina Lau, Malcolm Lau, Michael Onofrietti, Geoffery S. Sewell, MD., Jake Shimabukuro, Jean Tsukamato.
President: Randy Wong Director of Operations: Aris Doike Assistant Operations Manager: Parker Nakamura Director of Advancement: Rudy Rückmann Director of Orchestral Activities: Joseph Stepec