2024 Spring Concert Series

2024 SpringSeriesConcert

Symphony Program

Sunday, April 14, 2024 ✽ Moanalua High School Performing Arts Center Academy Program, Palolo Pākeke Ensemble, Nānākuli Strings & Super Strings

Saturday, April 27, 2024 ✽ Kaimukī High School Auditorium

HYS Jazz Program

Saturday, May 11, 2023 ✽ Studio 909, Musicians Association of Hawai‘i

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to our community partners, whose generous support and special talents are invaluable to Hawaii Youth Symphony.

State of Hawai’i

Dr. Josh Green, Governor

Hawai’i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts

City & County of Honolulu

Rick Blangiardi, Mayor

Accounting

KMH LLP

Evan Yamamoto, Charles Gilmour, Robert Loke

Audio and Video Engineer

Duane Padilla

Blake Entertainment

Halekulani

Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra

Printing

Edwards Enterprises

Mark Ibara, Justin You Program Design

Mark Nakamura

Public Relations

Becker Communications

Susan Wright, Taryn

Wells, Laura Young

Social Media

Vibe Creative Marketing

Erica Mau-Schank, Jessica

Nelson, Alyssa Kawamura

Website

White Space Studios

Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii

Paddy Kauhane, President & CEO

Claudia “Lala” Fernandez, Executive Vice President & COO

Mike Anderson, Director of Operations & Safety

Danielle Trinidad (Spalding)

Kekoa Tupua (Nānākuli)

Kaimukī High School

Jamie Dela Cruz, Principal

Melissa Selgado, Office Assistant

MJ Matsushita, Auditorium Manager

Kaimukī Middle School

Frank Fernandes, Principal

Le Jardin Academy

Earl Kim, Head of School

Faith Butterfield, Administrative Assistant to the Primary Deans

Moanalua High School

Robin Martin, Principal

Elden T. Seta, Music Director

Rhona Barbosa, Associate Music Director

Cavin Takesue, Associate Music Director

Todd Oshima, Associate Music Director

Jensen Ball, Auditorium Manager

Landon Mauricio, Technology Coordinator

Niu Valley Middle School

Laura Ahn, Principal

Pālolo Elementary School

Gary Harada, Principal

Henrietta Clemons, Parent and Family Coordinator

University of Hawai‘i Music Department

Dr. Donald Womack, Chair

William Watson, Facility Coordinator

Jazz Program

Concert Parent Volunteers

Barney Brennan

Wade Nobuhara

Youth Symphony I

Concert Parent Volunteers

Amy Carlson

Janet Maeshiro

Wade Nobuhara

Lawrence So

Youth Symphony II

Concert Parent Volunteers

Michelle Funai

Jill Kawaguchi

Michele Nuibe

Concert Orchestra

Concert Parent Volunteers

Jenna Kunihiro

Roslyn Meinert

Debbie Petilos

2023–2024 Board of Directors & Staff

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Erica Mau-Schank, Chair

Lauren Yoo, Vice Chair

Lorrin Hirano, Esq., Secretary

Collin Hoo, Treasurer Directors

Sharon R. Himeno

Martin Hsia, Esq.

David Imanaka, Esq.

Richard Ing

Patti Look

Malcolm Lau

Michael Onofrietti

Aaron Salā

Jake Shimabukuro

Jean Tsukamoto

Hawaii Youth Symphony

1350 South King St., Suite 201

Honolulu, HI 96814

Tel. (808) 941-9706

admin@hiyouthsymphony.org

www.HIYouthSymphony.org

Federal Tax ID #99-0119771

ADMINISTRATION

Randy Wong, President & CEO

Joseph Stepec, Director of Orchestral Activities

Hannah Watanabe, Programs Director

Lauren Sergent, Operations Manager

Cyrinthia Decker, Development Coordinator

Brent Ramos, Receptionist

Veronica Cox, Music Librarian

FACULTY

Symphony Program

Joseph Stepec, Conductor, Youth Symphony I

Elton Masaki, Conductor, Youth Symphony II

Susan Ochi-Onishi, Conductor, Youth Symphony II

Wayne Fanning, Conductor, Concert Orchestra

Academy Program

Michael Lim, Conductor, String Orchestra Ensemble & Concert String Orchestra

Hannah Watanabe, Conductor, Beginning String Ensemble & Intermediate String Ensemble

Brent Ramos, Academy Coordinator

Jazz Program

Dean Taba, Jazz Program Director

Ryan Howe, Jazz Conductor

Noel Okimoto, Jazz Conductor

Super Strings Program

Laurie Shimabukuro, Instructor

Music in the Clubhouse

Dr. Yuseon Nam, Nānākuli Strings

Instructor

Christopher Cabrera, Music4Kids Instructor

Pālolo Pākeke Ensemble

Christopher Cabrera, Instructor

Pacific Music Institute

Jeremy Lawi, General Manager

Joseph Stepec, Artistic Director

Ignace Jang, Solo & String Quartet Program Director

Richard Scerbo, Orchestral Learning Alliance

Dean Taba, Jazz Intensive Director

A Message from the President

Dear HYS Families and Friends,

Welcome to the much-anticipated Hawaii Youth Symphony Spring Concert Series! I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the all of our dedicated, young musicians whose practice and perseverance have brought us to these moments of celebration: Your commitment to cultivating personal excellence shines through in every note played, embodying the very essence of great art.

It would be remiss not to express my sincere gratitude to the faculty, staff, parents, school directors, private teachers, and families whose unwavering moral support has nurtured these students. Together, we uphold the HYS vision of a Hawaii where Music Is A Right, where every individual has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of music, and help our society to progress.

For those of you attending the Youth Symphony I performance, I am delighted that you will be part of the performance by the inaugural winner of our newly named Orvis HYS Concerto Competition. We at HYS are very grateful to the Arthur and Mae Z. Orvis Foundation for their support for this new endeavor, and for all the many ways they inspire artistic development in Hawaii.

Here’s to an unforgettable concert series filled with inspiration, joy, and the timeless magic of music.

Mahalo! Randy Wong President & CEO • Alumnus, HYS ’99

About the Hawaii Youth Symphony

Hawaii’s only state-wide music education organization, HYS serves students ages 7–18 of all skill levels and every economic background, brought together from more than 100 schools across the islands. Since 1964, the nonprofit has advanced its mission of developing youth to their fullest potential through orchestral music, offering diverse programs including general music, string and band classes, jazz, symphony orchestras, summer intensives, and more. Contributions from the celebration will go toward breaking down barriers to music education including financial hardship, access to qualified music teachers, the high cost of instruments, and expanding the reach of HYS in rural and under-resourced communities.

Among the largest youth symphony organizations in the country, HYS ensures that no interested child is turned away from a quality music education because of financial need and awards over $50,000 a year through its financial aid program. HYS also offers assistance for registration fees, instrument rentals, private lessons and air and surface travel for neighbor island students.

Team HYS is composed of more than a dozen employees and has a roster of nearly a hundred artist-faculty, all of whom are expressly dedicated to music education and its transformative opportunities for Hawaii’s youth.

The Orvis Foundation Board

Arthur and Mae Zenke Orvis, originally of New York, built a legacy in Hawai‘i that continues today. Arthur, a stockbroker, and Mae Zenke, an opera singer, visited Hawai‘i frequently, developing close bonds with the community and becoming lifelong supporters of the arts. The Orvises’ philanthropy in Hawai‘i began in 1960, when they donated funds to build the Mae Zenke Orvis Auditorium on the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa campus. The auditorium, with its excellent acoustics and a fine pipe organ donated by the Orvises, remains an important concert venue. Over the years, the Orvises’ generosity fostered a vibrant cultural landscape that delivers innovative, high quality performance and education in the arts to our communities.

Hawaii Youth Symphony would also like to thank the Arthur and Mae Zenke Orvis Foundation for investing in our local art scene through their continued support of various arts organizations in Hawai‘i, including Chamber Music Hawai‘i, the Hawai‘i Opera Theatre, Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra, UH Mānoa Music Department, Honolulu Chamber Music Series, and the Honolulu Museum of Art.

2024 Orvis HYS Concerto Winner

Shane Komeiji

Shane Komeiji is a senior student at Punahou School and flutist in Youth Symphony I. He has performed in numerous competitions and recitals at retirement homes around ‘Oahu. Shane joined HYS in the tenth grade and has enjoyed playing with other incredible, local students, HSO, and various guest artists. HYS has shown him the impact and importance of music and how music can truly impact others’ lives. He hopes to pursue a double degree or major in flute performance and chemistry in college. Shane would like to thank his family for their endless support, Aileen Kawakami for guiding him through his music career thus far, and all his friends for inspiring and supporting his music.

SYMPHONY PROGRAM

Spring Concert

Sunday, April 14, 2023 ✽ 2:00 pm

Moanalua High School Performing Arts Center

Concert Orchestra

Wayne Fanning, Conductor

Overture to Nabucco Giuseppe Verdi arr. Sandra Dackow

Cadence Everlasting

Skeleton Key

Rossano Galante

Brian Nozny Percussion Feature

Resurgences

Robert Sheldon

The Best of Bruno Mars arr. Victor Lopez

Youth Symphony II

Elton Masaki and Susan Ochi-Onishi, Conductors

Princess Sa-ho Fantasy Takamasa Sakai Percussion Feature

The Cowboys Overture

John Williams

Polovtsian Dances from “Prince Igor” Alexander Borodin

Three Anime Themes

I. Attack on Titan Opening arr. Andrés Soto

II. Kamado Tanjiro no Uta from Demon Slayer Go Shiina arr. Mikio Gohama

III. Il Vento D’oro from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure

Yugo Kanno arr. Mikio Gohama

Salute to the Cinema arr. Carl Strommen

Youth Symphony I

Joseph Stepec, Conductor

Berceuse & Finale from “The Firebird” Suite Igor Stravinsky arr. Merle J. Isaac

Fantasie for Flute and Orchestra

Georges Hüe

Shane Komeiji, Flute arr. A. Gagarinov

Orvis HYS Concerto Competition Winner

An American in Paris (1930 edition)

George Gershwin

Wayne Fanning is a graduate of Hilo High School and participated in HYS Concert Orchestra and the Pacific Music Institute as a student. He received his Bachelor of Education and Master of Arts from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Fanning has performed with numerous professional and community ensembles throughout Hawai‘i. Prior to his current position at HYS, he served as director of the Music in the Clubhouse Band and a clinician for various HYS Orchestras. He has served as guest conductor for the Maui District High School Massed Band and the Central District Beginning Honor Orchestra, as well as several school bands and orchestras. He has been teaching band and orchestra at Niu Valley Middle School since 1998, where his musical ensembles have performed for music conferences in Honolulu, Denver, and Iowa. Most recently, they performed at Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House.

Wayne Fanning Concert Orchestra Conductor

Violin I

Geon Cha

Dominic Chi

Chloe Yunju Cho, Concertmaster

Richard Kangmin Cho

Ethan Chow

Charles Haring

Grace Jeong

Cheyna Murakami

Minh Chau Nguyen

Noah Tanaka

Elena Tjoeng

Lantana Widana

Violin II

Xelhuan AndersonMartinez

Clara Elham

Colin Emerson

Shannon Avery Go

Cole Jackson

Kian Jackson

Sky Ko

Tara Krishnagopalan, Principal

Haley Lau

Matthew Liu

Victoria Lu

Chloe Petilos

Kolleen Roessig

Tenley Tanigawa

Max Villanueva

Tobias Watanabe

Marc Yoo

Concert Orchestra

Viola

Seoyeon Byun

Hyunwoo Chang

Jada Kaya, Principal

Zoe Sagadraca

Asa Thompson

Cello

Audrey Branner

Eliana Chang

Otto Ferguson

Bronwen Nagayama

Louis Rhee

Daniel Schoen

Evangeline Tjoeng, Principal

Reese Walther

Bass

Cielle Charron, Principal

Farrah Li

Harp

Chloe Chen, Principal

Flute

Dena Brennan, Principal

Eunice Kim

Anna Motohashi

Baiyi Wang

Oboe

Ian Cho

Charlotte Gimber

Kamy Kaneshige, Principal

Nainoa Tindle

About Concert Orchestra

Concert Orchestra (CO) is the third most advanced of HYS’s seven orchestras and the entry point into the Symphony Program. This year, Concert Orchestra is composed of 83 students from 26 public, private, and homeschools across O‘ahu and Kaua‘i. This season’s concertmaster is Chloe Yunju Cho, a sixth-grade student from Niu Valley Middle School.

Clarinet

Lauren Chen, Principal

Reia Jumawan

Riu Kang

Erin Suehisa

Zephyr Tanigawa

Yoshiki Yamada

Bassoon

Eri Kuroyanagi

Misa Kuroyanagi, Principal

Horn

Ava Atagi

Maile Judd, Principal

Matthew Meinert

Justin Morikawa

Maiah Oba

Trumpet

Paige Kawana

Vincent Lassoff

Reimer Wolf, Principal

Erin Wong

Carissa Miyamoto, Guest Musician

Parker Nakamura, Guest Musician

Trombone

Kolten Hamana

Xyon-La'Jount Jury

Cy Kaneshiro, Principal

Hikaru Kikuchi

Harlan King

Alex Shin

Tuba

Charles Schulberg, Principal

Kai Shoemaker

Percussion

Mia Kim

James Kunihiro, Principal

Nanami Mata

James Munoz

Trinity Vong

Susan Ochi-Onishi Conductor

Susan Ochi-Onishi has proudly served as a middle and high school music educator in the Hawai‘i State Department of Education since 1988. Prior to teaching at Kaimukī Middle School, she has held music teaching positions at Wai‘anae Intermediate School and Moanalua High School.

Mrs. Ochi-Onishi is in her 29th year at Kaimukī Middle School where she instructs the beginning, intermediate, and advanced band students and directs the Kaimukī Middle School Symphonic Winds. During her tenure at Kaimukī, she has worked hard to nurture, build and consolidate the KMS Music Department. She provided opportunities for her colleagues to serve as KMS Department Head while she focused on leading the KMS Symphonic Winds to a higher performance level. As the first middle school band from Hawai‘i to receive an invitation, KMS Symphonic Winds have proudly represented the State of Hawai‘i by performing at the 2019 Music for All National Festival. In 2015, KMS Symphonic Winds was the first middle school band from Hawai‘i to perform at Carnegie Hall, where they received the Gold Award for their high adjudication scores. In addition to performing at the ASBDA Convention and traveling to share their music with others, many of our students continue to participate in the Hawaii Youth Symphony Programs.

Mrs. Ochi-Onishi received her Bachelor’s Degree and PDMUS in Music Education and Oboe Performance from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. She received her Master’s of Music degree from Northwestern University, where she was a student of Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians Ray Still (oboe) and Grover Schlitz (English Horn). Her past oboe teachers include: Linda Strommen, Jeffrey Rathbun, Thomas Boyd, Margot Golding, and Roy Yanagida. She has performed with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra, Royal Hawaiian Band, Maui Symphony, Diamond Head Theater, and various music ensembles. She served as the oboe lecturer at the University of Hawai‘i and continues to serve as the oboe clinician for the Pacific Music Institute. Her professional affiliations include the O‘ahu Band Directors Association and the American School Band Directors Association. Mrs. Ochi-Onishi is CoConductor of the Hawaii Youth Symphony II and is an alumna of the Hawaii Youth Symphony Program where she served as Principal Oboe during her time as a student.

Elton Masaki Conductor

Elton Masaki holds a Bachelor of Education Degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis in music from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and a Master of Music in Education Degree from Boston University. Mr. Masaki is the current high school orchestra director at Kamehameha School Kapālama Campus and the associate conductor of Youth Symphony II. In the past, he has also taught orchestra at Mid-Pacific Institute, Kamehameha Middle School, and with the Hawaii Youth Symphony Academy String Program. In addition to this, Mr. Masaki also serves as an orchestra clinician for a number of different camps and workshops both on and off island and manages the A Major Quartet. When he isn’t teaching, he is active as a community violin/viola player with performances in numerous musical theater productions as well as with other community orchestras such as the Oahu Civic Orchestra, UH Symphony, Oahu Chamber Orchestra, Allegro Chamber Orchestra, Hawaii Chamber Orchestra and has also subbed as a violinist with the Hawaii Pops, Maui Symphony, and Kona Symphony.

M. Ed. (Music Education), Boston University. B. Ed (Secondary Education, Music Emphasis), University of Hawai‘i.

Youth Symphony II

Violin I

Flora Elham

Brayden Fabro

Elizabeth Fink, Co-Concertmaster

Yanling Guo, Co-Concertmaster

Kai Im

Jayden Kim

Vincent Lau

Brian Lim

Maria Swan

Natalia Tangonan

Katherine Wu

Eileen Zhang

Violin II

Narissa Chen

Hailee Choi

Airi Choy

Sydney Chung

Elena de Lima

Brycen Fabro

Hayden Freitas

Kara Kim

Brenna Lewis

Lily Nomura

Hayley Okano, Co-Principal

Taylor Rogers

Manami Sato

Sage Shiroma

Sherry Taguchi

Naomi Thompson

Tri Truong, Co-Principal

Kirstin Wee

Shion Yamasaki

Viola

Leala Florendo, Co-Principal

Eun Ha

Sophie Kaiser

Sean Lee

Yunseo Lee, Co-Principal

Kyla Miyamoto

Cello

Aleena Bendzius

Michael Chan, Co-Principal

Sophia Chan, Co-Principal

Danica Ibanez

Cody Kajioka

Jibhum Lee

Eugene Lee

Paisley Sagadraca

Isabella Santos

Ty Tokunaga

Bass

Riley Paakaula, guest musician

Harp

Beylih Beale, Principal

Piccolo

Hope Bayudan

Jason Okutani

Flute

Hope Bayudan, Principal

Xinyi Dai

Celine Lee

Jason Okutani

Henry Rhee

Oboe

Sage Andrews

Sara Inao, Principal

Paula Marley KongMercado

Brandalyn Tran

English Horn

Sarah Inao

Clarinet

Nathan Amemiya

Anna Choi

Yuto Kawaguchi

Jeannie Kim

Matt Michibata

Ellie Obara

Alicia Tangonan, Principal

Bass Clarinet

Nathan Amamiya

Bassoon

Jerry Gao

Daniel Kim

Kainani Nitz, Principal

Aimee Okagawa

Horn

Hannah Emrani

Parker Hursty

Derek Katayama

Jake Miyakawa, Principal

Breydi Nuibe

Nicholas Xu

Trumpet

Zachary Choi, Principal

Micah Kim

Kaden Kojima

Christopher Yara

Trombone

Caleb Chinen

Micah Dijos

Zachary Oh, Principal

Jason Sakata

Brandon Tran

Paolo Vu

Tuba

Wilson Co

Percussion

Jordan Buenaventura

Camden Funai

Keira Ida Ayu

Ian Pak

Mia Taheri

Kyli Taketa, Principal

About Youth Symphony II

Youth Symphony II (YSII) is the second most advanced of HYS’s seven orchestras. For the 2023-2024 season, YSII is composed of 91 students from 25 public, private, and homeschools across O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, and the Big Island. Elizabeth Fink, a tenth grade student from Mid-Pacific Institute, and Yanling Guo, an eighth grade homeschool student, are this season’s co-concertmasters.

Joseph Stepec Director of Orchestral Activities & PMI Artistic Director Youth Symphony I, Conductor

Joseph Stepec came to Hawai‘i from Cleveland, Ohio in 2016. He is Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Orchestras at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Music Department. Under his direction, the University of Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra has premiered works of new composers, represented underperformed masterworks, and has collaborated with ensembles as diverse as the United States Marine Band and the choir and orchestra of Weber State University. In 2017, Mr. Stepec, together with Dr. ChetYeng Loong of the University of Hawai‘i, began the Hawai‘i All State String Orchestra which serves local students in an effort to promote string performance and education. During the 2017–18 academic year, Stepec also served as the Interim Conductor of Youth Symphony I for HYS. He is an active clinician that has guest taught many ensembles visiting Hawai‘i and maintains an active relationship with the Global School of Music youth orchestra program in Shanghai, China.

Mr. Stepec studied violin with Gregory Fulkerson at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and conducting at the Eastman School of Music with master teacher, Neil Varon. Mr. Stepec additionally studied with Michael Jinbo at the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors and pursued doctoral studies at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. As a conductor, he has been featured on numerous programs with the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra. In 2017, he was a conducting Fellow at the Menuhin Gstaad Music Festival where he worked closely with Jaap van Zweden, Music Director of the New York Philharmonic and noted conducting pedagogue, Johannes Schlaefli. In 2019, Mr. Stepec premiered a new translation of Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du Soldat set in colonial Hawaii with members of Chamber Music Hawaii to very favorable reviews.

“I am honored to have been chosen to lead HYS’ symphony program. HYS’ mission and its goals are ones that I deeply resonate with from my own special and formative years playing in a youth symphony: the opportunity to learn to make music together at the highest level and with the greatest commitment is one that shapes lives and forges unbreakable friendships and memories. I am thrilled to be fulfilling this new position alongside my incredibly talented colleagues at HYS and PMI,” said Joseph Stepec.

Youth Symphony I

Violin I

Preston Chi

Leia Choi

Ymin Guo

Vance Maeshiro

Cody James Nakagawa

Emi Okumoto

Max Shinno

Kaitlyn Sim

Sevastyan Swan

Belise Swartwood

Gwyneth Tenn

Liliko Ueda

Violin II

Kai Asakura

Ella Cheung

Nicholas Chi

Ashley Jisue Hong

Coco Kim

Riya Krishnagopalan

Keanna Lau

Aya Okimoto

Christopher Oyama

Alexis Phansaithong

Daniel Yoo

Viola

Mana Chun

Rylie Ann Hashizume

Swan Kim

Albert Ko

Mie Kodama

Hannah Kwak

David Mansfield

Gray Nauwelaerts

Elizabeth Swan

Lulu Wang

Cello

Ian Ahn

Anson Akemoto

Dylan Campuspos

Lei Yao Chang

Cassidy Ibanez

Ashlyn Ito

Emma Newman

Jason Vierra

Bryan Wood

Jodie Wung

Taigo Yuen

Bass

Seitaro Kobayashi

Isabelle Morita

Joshua Wung

Harp

Arabella Tan

Flute

Shane Komeiji

Flora Liao

Noelani Velasco

Jessica-Holly Wiemer

Oboe

Maya Hokada

Alexis Molina

Kyle Siu

Ayaka Yoshii

Clarinet

Grace Kawaoka

Leanne So

Aiden Taheri

Chelsea Takushi

Bassoon

Spencer Lyau

Jayden Retutal

Horn

Gabriel Cole

McKenzee Espiritu

Zhixian Lu

Chelsea Song

Caleb Tamargo

Nicholas Williams

Trumpet

Jasmine Addison

Dawson Chan

Kyle Ehara

Joel Lee

Trombone

Ahren Awong

Jae Koo

Andrew Li

Luke Watanabe

Tuba

Daniel Li

Percussion

Travis Chen

Mani Kovacich

Carter Nobuhara

Alexa Sasaki

Brady Schultz

Piano

Jasmine Nagano, Guest Musician

Guest Students from the Hawaii Saxophone Foundation

Alto Saxophone

Cayne Hironaka

Tenor Saxophone

Kylie Paris

Baritone Saxophone

Caitlin Lau

About Youth Symphony I

Youth Symphony I (YSI) is the most advanced of HYS’s seven orchestras and is one of the finest youth symphonies in the country. In its history, YSI has performed with renowned guest artists, was a finalist in the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, and had the special honor of performing on From The Top, a nationally-broadcast radio show.

For the 2023–2024 season, YSI is composed of 82 students, grades 9–12, from 15 public, home and independent schools across O‘ahu.

At Hawaii Youth Symphony, every student learns an instrument and makes music in an ensemble

Classes daily – no prior music experience necessary for beginners!

Youth ages 7+ of all levels and backgrounds are welcome. Follow us on social media! @hiyouthsymphony

ACADEMY, SUPER STRINGS, MUSIC IN THE CLUBHOUSE & PĀLOLO PĀKEKE PROGRAMS

Spring Concert

Saturday, April 27, 2024 ✽ 3:00 pm

Kaimukī High School Auditorium

Music4Kids & Pālolo Pākeke Ensemble

Christopher Cabrera, Teacher

Program to be announced from stage.

Nānākuli Strings

Yuseon Nam, Violin Instructor

Program to be announced from stage.

Super Strings Beginning & Intermediate Classes

Laurie Shimabukuro, Violin Instructor

Kutsu ga Naru (The Sound of Shoes) arr. Robert S. Frost

The Great Key Chase Janice L. McAllister

Cripple Creek arr. Andrew H. Dabczynski and Bob Phillips

Beginning String Ensemble (BSE)

Hannah Watanabe, Conductor

Arpeggio Round

Orchestra March Jeremy Woolstenhulme

Spy Rock Eric B. Davis

BSE, Nānākuli Strings & Super Strings Combined Ensemble

5th Avenue Rock

Katheryn Griesinger

Intermediate String Ensemble

Hannah Watanabe, Conductor

Avatar Doug Spata

Aurora Borealis

Michael Hopkins

String Orchestra Ensemble

Michael Lim, Conductor

Brandenburg Concerto No. 3

Adagio (From Symphony No. 2, Op. 27)

To Tame the Raging Rapids

Concert String Orchestra

Michael Lim, Conductor

J. S. Bach arr. Merle J. Isaac

Sergei Rachmaninoff arr. Robert Longfield

Brian Balmages

Hoe Down (from "Rodeo)

Mother Goose Suite

Aaron Copland arr. Stephen Bulla

Maurice Ravel

I. Pavane of the Sleeping Beauty arr. Carrie Lane Gruselle

II. Tom Thumb

III. Empress of the Pagodas

IV. The Conversation of Beauty and the Beast

V. The Enchanted Garden

Subterranean Dialogues

Richard Meyer

Hi’ilei Arakaki

Alina Chen

Jasper Chen

Music4Kids

Kaimana Lui-Kwan

Rodrigo Nava Alvarez

Joseph Nguyen

Ella Watson

Gabriel Yi

Pālolo Pākeke Ensemble

William Aiauo

Alliona Fuentes

Denise Helu-Odom

Grace-Kaunanga Helu

Jahnesty Ke-a-etse

Henry Nguyen

Janicalai Sandiago

Dean Smith

Reann William

Christopher Cabrera

Pālolo Pākeke Ensemble & Music4Kids Instructor

Christopher Cabrera is Associate Principal Timpanist and Section Percussionist with the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra. Born and raised in San Francisco, Christopher began his percussion studies in public school during the 3rd grade; a product of the San Francisco Symphony’s AIM program. After graduating from Ruth Asawa’s San Francisco School of the Arts (’11), he spent 6 years in northeast Ohio receiving a Bachelor of Music from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and a Master of Music from Cleveland Institute of Music. A student of the late Richard Weiner, Christopher received the Bruce Collie Award For Percussion Excellence upon graduating from CIM.

About Pālolo Pākeke Ensemble

Pākeke in Hawaiian means “bucket” and our Pālolo Pākeke Ensemble is one of the newest partnership programs for HYS with Pālolo Elementary School. Students at Pālolo Elementary’s after school program have the opportunity to sign-up and learn the basics of music through bucket drumming! Now in its second year, we hope to see this program continue to grow, so more students have the chance to experience music and learn valuable life lessons while making music together.

Super Strings

Beginning Class Intermediate Class

Juliette Brownfield

Erin Kawamura

Kanoa Kawamura

Isabella Toloza

Juliet Yim

Laurie Shimabukuro

Super Strings, Violin Teacher

LRachel Aberilla

Kiane Durand QuirogaVerhaaf

Greer Gibson

Channing Henghold

Ava Holmberg

John Tavares

aurie Shimabukuro grew up on O‘ahu studying the violin under the Suzuki Method from age four. She joined her first orchestra ensemble in the seventh grade as the concertmaster of the Punahou Advanced Orchestra and the Hawaii Youth Symphony in the eighth grade as the concertmaster of the Youth Symphony II orchestra. As a senior in high school, she was the concertmaster for both the Punahou Symphony and Youth Symphony I orchestras. She was the winner of several awards and competitions, including the Honolulu Symphony’s Talent Pool, Morning Music Scholarship, HMTA, and MTNA competitions in Hawaii. She continued her music studies with Daniel Rouslin at Willamette University, where she served as the concertmaster for the University Chamber Orchestra and concertmaster/soloist for the Salem Chamber Orchestra. She graduated with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music and Chemistry from Willamette University and earned a Master of Accounting degree from the University of Hawai‘i.

Music has provided her with several amazing opportunities. She participated in masterclasses/ workshops with Yehudi Menuhin, Kyoko Takezawa, The Emerson String Quartet, Almita Vamos, John Kendall, and other inspiring teachers. She also traveled to Europe with the Ambassadors of Music from Hawai‘i and performed Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with Japanese chorus groups in Hawai‘i and Japan. Her musical theater collaborations included the world premier and encore productions of Ohana Arts’ original musical “Peace On Your Wings” in Hawai‘i and other local community plays. Through her first job as a math tutor in high school and teaching English in Japan and violin from the time she was a college student, Laurie has enjoyed working with students and helping them develop the confidence to succeed in their future endeavors.

Laurie currently teaches violin part-time and enjoys playing chamber music. Prior to the pandemic, she also performed with the O‘ahu Civic Orchestra and University of Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra while maintaining her accounting career and volunteering as a Master Gardener, Consulting Rosarian, and treasurer of the Honolulu Rose Society.

About Super Strings

Started in the summer of 2021, Super Strings at Le Jardin Academy is for Windward O‘ahu students who are interested in learning to play the violin and experiencing the joy of music through the violin. Students learn instrumental technique, rhythmic patterns, note reading skills, listening skills, concepts of musicality, basics of group playing, improvisation, and a variety of musical styles. This year, we have students from 10 different public, private and home schools participating in the Super Strings program!

Alaylah Gohier

Nānākuli Strings

Cassie Galeon-Kekuawelo

Chloe Domingo

Jaime Javier

Yuseon Nam

Nānākuli Strings, Violin Teacher

DJesse James Essner

Kana‘i Nui HainaCanencia

Kento Crutchfield

Kodi Ishikane

Lylah Halia Beamer

Terrance Joseph Beckett

r. Yuseon Nam has quickly made a positive impact on the musical community of Hawai‘i since her arrival in the fall of 2017. She is a full-time member of the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra, and also maintains a large private studio. She teaches violin lessons at ‘Iolani School and is the current Vice President of the Hawai‘i Music Teachers Association. Dr. Nam did her undergraduate studies at Seoul National University and the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, summa cum laude, studying with Ik-Hwan Bae. Dr. Nam completed her doctoral degree in violin performance and literature at the Eastman School of Music, studying with Federico Agostini. She was Professor Agostini’s teaching assistant, and also taught violin courses at the University of Rochester. Dr. Nam also studied with Mimi Zweig at Indiana University to complete her master’s degree in violin/viola pedagogy. While at Indiana, she taught students in the Indiana University String Academy. Dr. Nam is an active soloist and chamber musician. She has performed throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Dr. Nam was the founder of the Felix Trio, and they were featured at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., Yujung Arts Center in Seoul, and invited as a resident trio at the Banff Centre Chamber Music Residency. Dr. Nam has been a prizewinner in numerous competitions and has performed as a soloist with orchestras across the world including Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, KoreanAmerican Youth Orchestra, and Romanian State Orchestra. Also an accomplished viola player, Dr. Nam was invited as a viola guest artist to the International Chamber Music Festival of Puerto Rico.

About Music in the Clubhouse

For over a decade, HYS has partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Hawai’i to provide low-cost, entry-level classes to Clubhouse youth. Made possible through the generosity of private foundations, public support and contributions to HYS, the classes provide free instrument loans, sheet music, and instruction on a weekly basis throughout the school year. More than 5.000 Honolulu-region youth (largely from Mo‘ili’ili, McCully, Ala Wai, Pauoa, and Nu’uanu) have had the chance to play music, thanks to our Music4Kids classes at the Spalding Club.

In 2019, HYS launched its Music in the Clubhouse initiative at the Nānākuli Clubhouse along the Wai’anae coast. Carnegie Hall recognized HYS as Hawaii’s first recipient of a PlayUSA grant, a program that supports a wide range of instrumental music education projects across the nation, all with a specific interest in reaching low-income and underserved students on a local level. HYS also works with string students at Kaunakakai Elementary on Moloka’i, and provides travel reimbursements and scholarships to SOE, CSO, Symphony Program and PMI students from Kauai’i, Maui, and the Hawai’i islands.

Violin

Beginning String Ensemble

Michael Andrew Chang

Yaoqi Liu

Isabella Lorenzo

Alyssabeth Nieto

Joy Wang

Jane Yoon

Viola

Chloe Cheong

Lucia Cheong

Gabriel Gardner

Mia Harjati

Peyton Taketa

Cello

John Anthony Chang

Kenzo Cummings

Mason Phung

Giuliano Jack

Alexander Ricardi King

Zane Schank

Ella Wang

San Lam Weng

Bass

Ellie Arakaki

Evelyn Cindrity

Emily Smith

Isla Stark

Intermediate String Ensemble

Violin

Ava Bonner

Mia Bonner

Milani Cortez

Lia Fagaragan

Rosella Mae

Galapon

Seraphina Gower

Kaleb Konishi

Henry Lee

Jade Liao

Naomi Lopez

Chi Nguyen

Ava Panganiban

Kanani Reid

Tetsuo Shimazu

Rydan Duke Stevenson

Samuel Tarn

Alex Tokunaga

Andrew Wang

Lily Yasuda

Cello

Alisa Gardner

Gabriel Lopez

Travis Lou

Albert Wang

String Orchestra Ensemble

Violin

Trevor Dinh

Katelyn Ewing

James Joyner, III

Keeley Kobayashi

Sue Lee

Ava Morgan

Jeff Pitathawatchai

Olivia Schank

Griffin Tano

Yuna Tueller

Aya Wismeth

Jana Wu

Jeannie Wu

Cello

Olivia Kim

Emi Mochinaga

Lincoln Sueoka

Bass Andersen Nishimura

Concert String Orchestra

Violin

Joseph Ching

Abner Chun

Mariko Colaianni

Lulu Enomoto

Jaron Kim

Annaka Lau

Kaylee Liang

Eliana Lin

Zuri Phung

Isaiah Wane

Suriel Wane

Felicia Yang

Viola

Daphne Lawton

Matthew Ryan

Lizardo

Cello

Rose Bozeman

Madeline Ebisu

Jacob Kim

Rex Lin

Jedi Si Ming Ng

Kayden Nishimura

Joseph Perez

Bass

Ian Taira

Michael Lim Conductor

Michael Lim is a dedicated music teacher and professional violinist. Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai’i, he began his musical career at the age of four with the piano, and started his violin studies at the age of seven. A graduate of Punahou School, Michael was involved in Punahou’s orchestra and string quartet program, and was a member of Hawaii Youth Symphony’s YSII and YSI orchestras during his middle school and high school years. He is a graduate of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he received his Bachelors and Masters of Music in violin performance. After returning to Hawai’i, he completed his Post-Baccalaureate Certificate of Music Education at the University of Hawai’i Mānoa, and currently teaches orchestra and choir in grades 6–12 at Mid Pacific. In addition to his music teaching career, Michael is also a full-time member of the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra violin section, teaches private violin and viola lessons, and has served on the board of the Hawai’i Music Educators Association. He is a passionate educator and performer, and hopes to share his love of music with his students and inspire a new generation of musicians to cherish and preserve the art of music.

Brent Ramos

Academy Strings Program Coordinator & Office Receptionist

Brent Ramos is a graduate from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Violin Performance. He is an HYS alumni who started in the Academy Strings Program, and in his senior year of high school was concertmaster of Youth Symphony I. After graduating from high school and while in college, Mr. Ramos was a Teacher’s Assistant for the Moanalua Middle School Summer Orchestra Program for many years. He has been the HYS Academy Strings Program Coordinator for two years now, and started working as the HYS Office Receptionist this past year. Besides his roles at HYS, Mr. Ramos also plays violin with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, teaches private lessons at the Masaki School of Music, and volunteers his time to help out as a violin coach at several local schools.

About Academy Strings

The HYS Academy Strings is composed of four string ensembles with entry points for students of beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. In proud partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubhouse of Hawaii, the Academy offers children ages 8 and older the opportunity to play violin, viola, cello, or string bass in group settings that emphasize the fundamental skills necessary for musical success. This season’s Academy students represent more than 40 public, independent, and home schools.

During the summer, the Academy offers Summer Strings, daily instruction over a five-week session for beginning and intermediate players. All Academy classes are held at the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii’s Spalding Clubhouse. If you are interested in our summer programs, please go to https://hiyouthsymphony.org/summer/ for more information!

Hannah Watanabe Programs Director

Beginning String Ensemble & Intermdiate String Ensemble Conductor

Hannah Watanabe works for the Hawaii Youth Symphony as Programs Manager and conductor for the Academy Program’s Beginning String Ensemble and Intermediate String Ensemble. She was also the conductor for Symphony Program’s Concert Orchestra from 2006–2023. She is a graduate of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, where she earned a Bachelor of Education degree in K–12 Music Education with an emphasis in Secondary Instrumental Music. Ms. Watanabe is an alumnus of the Hawaii Youth Symphony where she performed under the direction of Mr. Michael Nakasone and Mr. Henry Miyamura. Prior to working at HYS, she taught orchestra for 16 years as an educator at Moanalua Middle School. While at Moanalua Middle School, she took the orchestra on several trips including Boston to work with musicians from the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Disney World where the orchestra won Best in Class, the Gold Award, and received a superior rating twice at Festival Disney, Disneyland to perform and participate in the Disney Workshop, and to the neighbor islands where her students performed and taught elementary school students about music and the orchestra. Prior to teaching at Moanalua Middle School, Ms. Watanabe also taught K–6 general music and choir at Hawaii Baptist Academy, orchestra, piano, and music theory at Moanalua High School, and while still in college, she taught orchestra at Kalani High School part time. Ms. Watanabe is a member of the National Association for Music Education, Hawaii Music Educators Association, American String Teachers Association, and the Hawaii Chapter of the American String Teachers Association.

JAZZ PROGRAM

Flute

Dena Brennan

Mitchell Denton

Alto Saxophone

Verily Coryell

Tenor

Saxophone

Maxwell Chin

Electric Guitar

Ash Bu

Eli Wolfe

Spring Concert

Saturday, May 11, 2024 ✽ 1:00 pm

Studio 909, Musicians Association of Hawai‘i

Dean Taba, Jazz Director

Ryan Howe, Jazz Instructor

Noel Okimoto, Jazz Instructor

Jazz II

Program to be announced from stage

Jazz I

Program to be announced from stage

Jazz II

Bass Guitar

Kiron Toma

Keyboard

Rodrigo Del Carpio

Liam McCabe

Drum Set & Congas

Henry Powell

Isato Kimura

Jazz I

Alto/Tenor Saxophone

Desmond Maurer

Bass Clarinet

Desmond Maurer

Electric Guitar

Broderick Nakasone

Bass Guitar

Johann Machida

Drum Set & Congas

Carter Nobuhara

Alex Tripp

About Jazz Program

A relatively new HYS program, HYS Jazz celebrates its fourth anniversary this year! Under the leadership of HYS Jazz Director Dean Taba, and with the support of our dedicated faculty including Dean, Noel Okimoto, and Ryan Howe, HYS Jazz offers Intermediate Contemporary Ensemble and Advanced Contemporary Ensemble for students 14–18. Advancing Hawaii Youth Symphony’s ongoing commitment to making music education accessible to all students, HYS Jazz also recently launched its Beginning Improvisation Group for ages 12 and up. HYS Jazz students are taught the skills necessary to play as a rhythm section, accompany others, and improvise. We are proud to have guitarists, keyboardists, drummers, and saxophonists among our student body, though HYS Jazz is a wholly inclusive environment and welcomes students from all orchestral instruments.

HYS Jazz frequently collaborates with highly-respected artists, and in its short history has already performed with Jake Shimabukuro, trumpeter Eric Miyashiro, saxophonist Steve Treseler, vocalists Shari Lyn, and John Valentine! Though the focus of HYS Jazz is music performance, many entrepreneurial facets of being a professional musician or working in the music industry are addressed throughout the year. Students have direct access to top audio engineers, influential musicians, and music business gurus. Learn more about all that HYS Jazz has to offer at https://hiyouthsymphony.org/hysjazz/

DEAN TABA

HYS Jazz Director & Conductor

Ahighly regarded studio and freelance musician, Dean Taba began his musical studies on the piano at the age of 6 and played French horn in the Hawaii Youth Symphony. It was a desire to play in the high school jazz band that introduced him to the bass and improvised music. After extensive studies at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and a refinement of his skills on both the acoustic and electric bass, Dean relocated in 1984 to Los Angeles to become one of its most in demand musicians.

Also a respected clinician and educator (Los Angeles Music Academy, Musician’s Institute, Cal-Poly Pomona, Grove School of Music) Dean has recently performed/recorded with Jeff Lorber, David Benoit, Mark Murphy, Jake Shimabukuro, Andy Summers, Sadao Watanabe, The San Francisco Symphony, Hiroshima, Rick Braun, The American Jazz Institute Orchestra, Dave Koz, Jeff Richman, Pauline Wilson, The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Daniel Ho, Bill Watrous, and many others as well as playing on countless CDs, TV shows, and movie soundtracks.

RYAN HOWE Conductor

Ryan Howe graduated from Maui High School and completed both his Bachelor’s in Music Education and Master’s in Bassoon Performance at the University of Hawai‘i. He currently teaches middle school band at Moanalua Middle School.

Mr. Howe says: “I have two things that I love to do in life, teach music and cooking. Both are great ways to express one’s self and a great medium to change people’s perspectives in life and to teach humanity and good fellowship. Other than music, I like to play sports such as tennis, basketball, and golf. I believe that in order to be a healthy and effective teacher, you must have a balanced life. Mind, body, and soul. I look forward to working with all students and parents. Please feel free to ask questions, because I believe that everyone is important, and they deserve to be heard.”

NOEL OKIMOTO Conductor

Born and raised in Honolulu, Noel Okimoto has been playing professionally since the age of ten. Noel’s primary instrument is the drum set, but is also an accomplished orchestral percussionist, vibraphonist, composer and clinician. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Percussion from the University of Hawai‘i. Noel has played in Hawai‘i, the mainland USA, and internationally with Freddie Hubbard, The Woody Herman Orchestra, Stan Getz, Bobby Hutcherson, Richie Cole, Bill Watrous, Ernie Watts, Bud Shank, Barney Kessel, Lew Tabackin, Sadao Watanabe, Wynton Marsalis, Ronnie Cuber, Makoto Ozone, Jeff Richman, Larry Coryell, Nestor Torres, Gene Harris, Take 6, David Benoit, Henry Mancini, Nelson Riddle, Steve Allen, Natalie Cole, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Bob Hope, Rosemary Clooney, Patti Page, Dionne Warwick, and Jake Shimabukuro, among others. He was also a member of the Gabe Baltazar Group for five years. He is also the percussion section leader of the historic Royal Hawaiian Band. Okimoto recorded an award-winning jazz CD in 2004, entitled ‘Ohana, that received a 4-Star review in Downbeat magazine and positive reviews in other national and international publications.

HYS Administration & Staff

Veronica Cox Librarian

Veronica Cox grew up playing saxophone and singing in choirs in Ohio, where she graduated from the University of Akron, receiving a Bachelor of Music in Music Education PreK–12. She also holds a Hawaii Teaching License in Music, K–12 and works in Hawaii Public Schools. Veronica has been an active member in the National Association for Music Education, American Choral Directors Association, and Ohio Music Education Association since 2017.

Throughout her life, Veronica has participated in Concert and Marching Bands, along with Concert and Chamber Choirs, touring around Ohio and Germany. Being surrounded by music her whole life, Veronica is excited to work with HYS to help make music a right!

Cyrinthia (Tia) Decker Development Coordinator

Originally from Southern California, Tia moved to Honolulu from New Mexico at the beginning of 2023, where she earned her B.A. in Music and minor in Arts Administration. She is passionate about uplifting the music community, and has previously worked with various music educational organizations, including Pacific Crest Youth Arts Organization.

“I have been in music playing the French horn for 13 years and love everything it has to offer. I am so excited to be a part of the Hawaii Youth Symphony!”

—Tia Decker

Lauren Sergent Operations Manager

Lauren Sergent holds a dual Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Public Relations with a Minor in Music from Carthage College. Her experience as a vocalist and percussionist has allowed her to perform for diverse audiences on tours across the U.S., Japan, Italy, Hungary, and Slovenia. Over the past few years, Lauren has been a member of groups such as Master Singers of Milwaukee, O‘ahu Choral Society, and Windward Choral Society. Committed to promoting youth engagement in music, she has made impactful contributions working for Drum Corps International and is looking forward to her new role at HYS.

Outside of HYS, Lauren is a Licensed Massage Therapist with advanced training in treatment and self-care for common musicians’ injuries.

Lauren believes that music is, “A powerful tool that serves an almost endless amount of purposes, but perhaps the most meaningful to me is the way it allows us to express emotions and foster connections—particularly with those who we may not think we have much in common with or who speak a different language from us.”

Randy Wong President & CEO

Hawaii-born and raised, Randy Wong is a distinctive voice within the arts administration and the musical communities, and one of few Asian American executive directors among the hundreds of orchestras nationwide. He is an official member and thought influencer of the Forbes Nonprofit Council, sharing insights on arts education and youth development. The Forbes Nonprofit Council is an invitation-only organization for successful seniorlevel executives of nonprofit organizations.

As the President & CEO of Hawaii Youth Symphony (and a proud alumnus), Randy passionately champions its strategic vision of a Hawai‘i where Music Is A Right. Fast Company recognized HYS in 2023 as one of its Best Workplaces for Innovators and bestowed top honors for Social Good. Together, Randy and HYS have garnered numerous accolades and honors for executive nonprofit leadership, public relations, marketing, communications, television, and more.

Simultaneous to leading HYS, Randy is also a bassist in the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra, and as a creative musician has recorded/produced albums in jazz, popular, Hawaiian, Open Flow Jazz, and Exotica genres. A progenitor and promoter of marginalized music, his Exotica/Tiki side project, The WAITIKI 7, was profiled by NPR Morning Edition, Global Village, Mother Jones, Giant Robot, and others, and has performed with pops orchestras. His Open Flow Jazz project Red Nova is the 2024 artist-in-residence at The BoxJelly.

In his free time, Randy gives back, serving as Vice Chair for the League of American Orchestras’ Youth Orchestra Division and volunteering with Hawai‘i Public Radio/Generation Listen. He mentors to first-generation immigrant college students through ‘A‘li‘i Mentoring, has guided high school students from the Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders (Hawai‘i), and supports graduate students at Harvard University and New England Conservatory as an alumni mentor.

Randy has been a member of leadership cohorts at the League of American Orchestras, the Stanford Graduate School of Business, and the American Express Leadership Academy.

Prior to HYS, Randy was program director & information architect for the Music-in-Education National Consortium, and faculty & staff at New England Conservatory. He holds an Ed. M (Arts in Education) from Harvard University and a performance degree (with honors) from New England Conservatory.

Randy Wong, Joe Stepec, and the HYS Board of Directors

Mahalo to Our Donors

Hawaii Youth Symphony appreciates these contributions made between July 1, 2023, and February 29, 2024. All attempts to create a complete and accurate list have been made, however, errors and omissions are possible! We apologize for any errors and request that you kindly let us know. Please feel free to contact Cyrinthia Decker, Development Coordinator, at cyrinthia@ hiyouthsymphony.org. Thank you very much for your support of Hawaii Youth Symphony!

CONDUCTORS’ CIRCLE

$50,000 & up

City & County of Honolulu

Maurice and Joanna Sullivan

Family Foundation

Stephen and Gloria Gainsley

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE

$10,000 to $49,999

Anonymous

Aaron and Erica Mau-Schank

ABC Stores

Altres, Inc.

Cades Foundation

Carnegie Hall (PlayUSA)

Dr. Eileen Exton

George Mason Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation

John R. Halligan Charitable Fund

Kwaksangro Charity Foundation

Ms. Lauren Yoo

Louise and Y. T. Lum Foundation

Serendipity II Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation

Sheridan and Julia Ing Family Foundation and Richard Ing

The Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation

The Vilcek Foundation

Thomas and Mi Kosasa

Waikiki Shopping Plaza

ANGEL’S CIRCLE

$5,000 to $9,999

Anonymous

Action Realty Corporation

Avalon Commercial, LLC

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Okimoto

Ms. Cathy Monseur

Ms. Dorothy Mason

First Hawaiian Bank Foundation

Foundation for an Engaged Pacific

Fred Baldwin Memorial Fund

FundDevelopment Group

Mrs. Gladys Hirano

Hawaii Community Foundation

John & Clifford Mirikitani Foundation

Johnson Ohana Foundation

Mr. & Mrs. Kent Tsukamoto

Mr. & Ms. Mitchell Imanaka

Pacific Property Group, Inc.

Mr. Randy Wong and Dr. Helen Liu Wong

State Foundation on Culture and the Arts

Mr. and Mrs. Steven Katzman

The Resort Group

Trinity Real Estate Investments LLC

BENEFACTOR

$2,500 to $4,999

Anonymous

Alan & JoAnn Arizumi

Ben and Mirium Lau Foundation

Governor and Mrs. Benjamin Cayetano and Ms. Ginny Tiu

Mr. and Mrs. Carlton Gushiken

Central Pacific Bank

Foodland Super Market, Ltd.

Island Insurance Foundation

Mr. Lorrin Hirano

Mr. & Mrs. Martin Hsia

Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Wong

The Dods Foundation

The Ebbtide Family Fund

PATRON

$1,000 to $2,499

Anonymous

Mr. Barney Brennan and Mrs. Autumn Woods

Ms. Beth Tamayose

Mr. Blane and Zelah Yamagata

Mr. and Mrs. Byungki Koo

Mr. and Mrs. Chad Sakumoto

Mr. Collin Hoo

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel H. Katayama

Mr. Daniel & Mia Kim

Ms. Darlene Abt

Mr. and Mrs. David Imanaka

Mr. and Mrs. James Umino

Jaqueline Ingamells

Mrs. Jennie Tamashiro

Mrs. Joyce Torrey

Ms. Kristen Bronner

Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm S. Koga

Merril Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, and Smith, Inc.

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Onofrietti

Dr. Patrick Ferguson

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Dames

Pikake Foundation

Mr. & Mrs. Randal Furomoto

Mr. Randolph G. Moore & Dr. Lynne Johnson

Mr. Robert Saracco

Mr. Ross Murakami

Mr. & Mrs. Steven Shimabukuro

Mr. Terrence White

The Tauchi Nishi Family Fund

The Yamanaka Family

SPONSOR

$500 to $999

Anonymous

Allen Murabayashi

Ms. Ann K. Yoklavich

Mr. Bill Holowecki

Mrs. Carrie Oung

Ms. Chelsea Maeda

David and Amy Monk

Mr. David Landis and Mr. Sean Dowdall

Mrs. Dolores Bediones

Elite Pacific Construction, Inc.

Foodland Give Aloha

Karen Takemoto

Mr. Kenin Coloma

Mr. and Mrs. Kerry Kim

Dr. Lawerence Mordan

Drs. Len Tanaka

Ms. Mary E. Whitehead

Meredith and Norma Meada

Mr. and Mrs. Owen Fukumoto

Mr. & Mrs. Rodney M. K. Pang

Ms. and Mr. Sharon Himeno

Dr. Steven and Izumi Rhee

Drs. Wade Nobuhara

Zachary Diionno

PARTNER

$250 to $499

Anonymous

Mr. Alex Suenaga Ms. Kay Mattos

Ms. Audrey Mueh

Ms. Carolyn Ing

Dr. and Mrs. Clifford Okumoto

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Cartoon

Mr. David Hudson and Ms. Dana Kokubun

David Jackson

Dr. and Mrs. Donald Womack

Mr. and Ms. Edward Laws

Mr. Francis Calleon

Mr. & Mrs. Frank Wei

Dr. Gary Yap

Dr. & Mrs. George I. Nagao

George Wellington, Jr.

Mr. Graham Seaton

Drs. James Lin

Mr. Joseph Conyers

Mr. Justin V. Redona

Mr. Larry T. Takumi

Mr. Laurence B. Goldstein

Ms. Leslie Baxter Eaton

Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Hong

Mr. Mark Verrey

Mrs. Miyeko S. Hashimoto

Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Momohara

Ms. Paula Akana

Mr. and Mrs. Randall Hee

Robyn and Merilee Fong

Mr. Seth Markow and Ms. Carolann Biederman

Mr. & Mrs. Steven Wong

Mrs. and Mr. Sujie Nam Hong

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Williams

Dr. & Mrs. Tilden Osako

Dr. and Mr. Vivien Tham

Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Higuchi

Mr. & Mrs. William E. Seehafer

Mr. Yan Yang Gao and Ms. Iris Hu

CONTRIBUTOR

$100 to $249

Anonymous

Mr. and Mrs. Albert Oh

Anabel Molina

Ms. Annabelle Stone

Ms. Andrea Snyder

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Akemoto

Mr. Andrew Sung

Ms. April K.Y. Leong

Arcadia Retirement Residence

Ms. Barbara J. Cargill

Mr. and Mrs. Barry Kikuno

Blake Nuibe

Mr. & Mrs. Bob Fissell

Mr. & Mrs. Brenda Teranishi

Mr. Carl & Becky Ashizawa

Ms. Carol Aki

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Higa

Mr. & Mrs. Chester Kaneshiro

Mr. and Mrs. Chester J. Malins

Ms. Cheryl Kojima

Ms. Christine Camp

Ms. Craigside Retirement Residence

Mr. and Mrs. David Chan

Dr. David Ross and Ms. Ann Castelfranco

Mr. David Schulmeister and The Honorable Lea Crandall

Ms. Debra Oxley

Mr. Dennis Higashiguchi

Mr. Elton Masaki

Mr. Eric Chang

Mr. & Mrs. Frank Hook

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hokada

Ms. Fumiko Wellington

Mr. & Mrs. George Masaki

Mr. Gregory Sitar

Mr. Henry Miyamura & Ms. Elizabeth Coraggio

Mr. and Mrs. Ian Carlson

Mr. & Mrs. Ivan Morita

Mr. James F. Moffitt

Mrs. Jane Kikawa

Ms. Jean Kirschenmann

Ms. Jeannette M. Omoto

Dr. Jeffrey Lim

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffery Lucero

Ms. Joan Doike

Dr. Jodi Goh

Dr. John and Carol Lynch

Mr. & Mrs. John Hunt

Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Lyau

Mr. John Mirikitani

Mr. Joe Stepec

Mr. and Mrs. Jun Kobayashi

Karyn Komatsu

Mrs. Kealani Gillis

Mr. Keita Hirashima

Mr. & Mrs. Keith Muraoka

Mr. & Mrs. Kendrick Y. Au

Mr. and Ms. Kenneth Jim

Mr. Kent Koike

Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Taira

Mr. Lance Oba

Laura Baker

Lauren Chun

Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence So

Leah Lee

Lealei Magat-Hino

Ms. Leanne Lum

Mrs. Leslie Ikawa

Mrs. Lila Yee

Ms. Linda Hattemer

Mrs. Lorraine Ferrer

Mrs. Louise Y. Wong

Lucky Tree Fund

Mr. and Mrs. Ly Nguyen

Lynette Roster

Mr. Lynn Chang and Dr. Lisa Wong

Dr. Lynn Tanoue

Ms. Martha Child

Ms. Mary Ann Kobayashi

Dr. and Mrs. Masayuki Nogi

Mr. & Mrs. Merwyn Lee

Mr. Michael Stitch and Ms. Louise Ing

Mr. and Mrs. Miles Kamimura

Mr. and Ms. Monsicha Dinh

Myrtle Kaneshiro

Mrs. Nancy D. White

Dr. Nina Hayashi

One Kalakaua Senior Living

Mrs. Pam Verrey

Ms. Paula Ho

Mr. and Mrs. Paul McGillicuddy

Mr. Phillip Thompson and Dr. Jean Shein

Mrs. Phyllis Wong

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Fong

Mr. Richard Scerbo

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Choy

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Schornstheimer

Dr. and Mrs. Robert Wiemer

Ms. Rochelle Uchibori

Mr. & Mrs. Roy Masaki

Mrs. Ruth Oshiro

Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Batt

Mr. Sam Aiona

Mr. and Mrs. Sean Smith

Shinnyo-En Hawaii

Mr. Stanley Wong

Mr. & Mrs. Steven Xiao

Ms. Suellen Barton

Ms. Susan Imai

Ms. Susan Lampe

Ms. Suzanne Sato

Mr. Tom & Marie Newman

Dr. and Mr. Thomas Gimber

The Young Family Fund

Mr. & Mrs. Ulrich K. Stams

Mr. & Mrs. Van M. Goto

Dr. Vernon and Joyce Wong

Ms. Winfred & Lauren Inouye

Mr. and Mrs. Yoshinori Enomoto

Yumiko Sumiye

FRIEND

Up to $99

Anonymous

Ms. Aileen Gushiken

Mr. & Mrs. Akio Crandall

Mr. and Ms. Al Harjati

Mr. Alejandro Arcos

Dr. Alejandro Loor

Mr. Alvin and Karen Fuse

Ms. Anne Lee

Mrs. Arlene Y. Hiu

Miss Ayari Tochika

Betty Ohigashi

Mr. Biswajit Bhattacharjee

Ms. BJ Taum

Brandon Kamigaki

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Walther

Camaron Inoue

Mr. and Mrs. Chalermchai

Phansaithong

Mrs. Cori Mackie

Mrs. Cyrinthia Decker

Mr. and Mrs. Dan Miyamoto

Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Murai

Mr. David Kamida

Ms. Diane Morimoto

Mr. Dustin Ebesu

Mr. Ernest Kobayashi

Dr. and Mrs. E. Richard Bartosik, Jr.

Mr. Evan Yamamoto

Mr. Frederick Harris

Dr. George Chu & Ms. Diane Wong

Mr. Gerald Young

Ms. Gladys H. Young

Mr. Glenn Fernandez

Mr. and Ms. Howard Jr Kim

Mrs. Jacqueline Jimenez

Jasmine Nip-Palmer

Dr. Javier Manrique

Mr. Jeffrey Wismeth and Dr. Christina Hines

Ms. JoAnn Maruoka

Joanne Huber

Dr. and Mrs. John Devlin

Judith A. Mick

Ms. Julia Fujioka

Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Hashi

Ms. Kimberly Schneider

Miss Kimi Nakagawa

Leighton and Sonya Yara

Ms. Linda Katsuki

Mr. Lloyd Lim

Dr. Luis Ponce

Mrs. María Ramos

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Lyman

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Miyagi

Mrs. Nancy Nishimura

Ms. Naomi Lyum

Ms. Nola Nahulu

Pledgeling Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Ralf Kaiser

Mr. Raymond S. Tabata

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Springer

Mr. Rod Aveiro

Mr. Ron Sumida

Ms. Ruby Arii

Ms. Ruby Shimabukuro

Mr. Ryan Kawana and Ms. Margaret Arakaki

Ms. Sara Lin

Mr. and Mrs. Scott Wiemer

Ms. Shannon Cleary

Mr. & Mrs. Shinogu Sato

Mr. Stanley Wong

Ms. Stephanie Hsu

Mr. Terry Arista

The Black Baud Giving Fund/ Promega

Mr. & Mrs. Todd Sakuda

Tracy Lynne Fernando

Mr. William Schoen and Ms. Michelle Comeau

Gifts in-Kind

Anonymous

Aaron and Erica Mau-Schank

Art Deakins

Bar Maze

Ben Franklin Crafts

Big City Diner

Blind Ox

Calvin & Susie

Christopher M. Cabrera

Circular Fashion Hawaii

Consolidated Theatres

Craig Chee and Sarah Maisel

Daily Whisk Matcha

Dancing Cat Productions, Inc.

Diamond Head Theatre

Duke's Waikiki

Gentle Beast Flower

Halekulani Corporation

Hawaii Potters Guild

Hawaii Symphony Orchestra

Kahala Shirts

Kailua Acupuncture Clinic

Kaimuki Shokudo

Mr. and Mrs. Kent Tsukamoto

Mr. Kenneth Fink and Ms. Robin

Kobayashi

Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Taira

Ko Hana Distillers

Ko Olina Golf Club

La Bettola Waikiki

Lauren Sergent

Lion Coffee

Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club

McKinley Car Wash

Mr. Michael Lim and Dr. Yuseon

Nam

Moke's Bread & Breakfast

Morton's The Steakhouse

Music Center of Hawaii

MW Restaurant

Outrigger Hotels & Resorts

Pint and Jigger

Pure Joy Day Spa

SKY Waikiki

The Palace Hotel

The Paperie

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Shaindlin

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ing

Mr. Randy Wong and Dr. Helen

Liu Wong

The Twin Fin

Tradition Coffee Roasters

Vive Hotel Waikiki

Waikele Golf Club

Watanabe Floral, Inc.

Yoga Room Hawaii

Yukio Ozaki

Tributes

Ms. Blake Nuibe

In Honor of Jake Shimabukuro

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Kayatama

In Honor of Cody Nakagawa

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Laws

In Honor of Richard Ing

Mrs. Jennie Tamashiro

In Honor of Aya Okimoto and Ginny Tiu

Mr. & Mrs. Kendrick Y. Au

In Memory of Geoffrey Au

Kwaksangro Charity Foundation

In Honor of Hannah Kwak

Mr. and Mrs. Randall Hee

In Memory of Dr. Neil McKay

Robyn and Merilee Fong

In Honor of Mary C. Fong

Ms. Nola Nahulu

In Memory of Dr. Neil McKay

Elevate your musicality at the Pacific Music Institute: a community united by a love of music and excellence. Our expert instructors offer tailored rehearsals and masterclasses to ignite your creativity and skill growth. Experience our many program offerings this summer at Hawaii's favorite music camp!