BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Patti Look Vice Chair Sharon R. Himeno Secretary Erica Mau-Schank Treasurer Mary Ellen Williams Directors
Alan Arizumi Lorrin Hirano Collin Hoo Martin Hsia David Imanaka Richard K. Ing
Malcolm Lau Michael Onofrietti Aaron J. Salā Geoffrey S. Sewell, M.D. Jake Shimabukuro Jean Tsukamoto
PRESIDENT, RANDY WONG ADMINISTRATION Asst. Operations Managers Nate Chang & Parker Nakamura Finance Manager Joseph DeMatteo Programs Manager Hannah Watanabe Receptionist Brent Ramos
MAKING
MUSIC IS A R I G H T, N OT A PRIVILE GE.
HAWAII YOUTH SYMPHONY GETS A NEW HOME After residing in the same building on University Avenue for over 20 years, Hawaii Youth Symphony has relocated to a new office at 1350 South King Street to better accommodate its growing number of programs and staff. The fresh space offers a larger conference room and a library for instruments and music.
SYMPHONY PROGRAM Wayne Fanning, Conductor (CO) Elton Masaki, Conductor (YSII) Susan Ochi-Onishi, Conductor (YSII) Joseph Stepec, Director & Conductor (YSI) Hannah Watanabe, Conductor (CO)
Hawaii Youth Symphony Association 1350 South King Street, Suite 201 Honolulu, HI 96814
Randy Wong, Aris Doike, Kahu Kordell Kekoa, Hannah Watanabe and Patti Look participated in the blessing of HYS’ new office.
HAW AII Y OUT H SY MPHO NY | FALL 2022 NEWSLETT E R
A SYMPHONY FOR ALL THE ISLANDS
Grant Okamura (former Music Director) designed and built custom bass & cello shelving for the instrument library of our new office. Mahalo Grant!
One of the qualities that sets Hawaii Youth Symphony apart from any other music program in the state is its inter-island connections. While based in Honolulu with practices scheduled throughout Oahu, HYS provides opportunities for students residing on other islands as well.
On August 23, Kahu Kordell Kekoa conducted a blessing at the new office. As we finish off the 2022-2023 season and begin planning for the next, we will use the space to foster creativity and equip our students, instructors, staff and volunteers with the tools necessary to succeed in their respective roles.
Each week, seven dedicated students travel to Oahu from their hometowns on Kauai, Maui and Hawaii Island to participate in HYS’s various programs. Transportation fees for neighbor island students are covered by financial aid, giving them equal access to the highest quality of music education Hawaii has to offer. These dedicated young musicians are committed to improving their skills and honing their craft, despite the geographical barrier.
ACADEMY STRING PROGRAM Michael Lim, Conductor (BSE & SOE) Brent Ramos, Coordinator Chad Uyehara, Director & Conductor (ISE & CSO)
JAZZ PROGRAM Ryan Howe, Conductor Noel Okimoto, Conductor Dean Taba, Director
PACIFIC MUSIC INSTITUTE Kassi Hatakenaka, Admissions Coordinator Ignace Jang, Solo & String Quartet Jeremy Lawi, General Manager Joseph Stepec, Artistic Director Dean Taba, Jazz
MUSIC IN THE CLUBHOUSE & COMMUNITY INITIATIVES Chris Cabrera, Palolo Percussion Ensemble Parker Nakamura, Music4Kids Yuseon Nam, Nanakuli Violin Class Laurie Shimabukuro, Super Strings
AN AWARD-WINNING NEWSLETTER Earlier this year, Becker Communications, Inc. (BCI) won a Certificate of Excellence from the Public Relations Society of America, Hawaii Chapter, for its work on Hawaii Youth Symphony’s quarterly newsletter. The award was presented during the 2022 Koa Anvil Awards dinner in June, which recognizes outstanding public relations programs and tactics throughout the state. The project was selected within the category of Newsletters for External Audiences based on four key components: research, planning, execution and evaluation. BCI oversees the development and production of each issue, including layout and design, copywriting, Taryn Wells, Susan Wright and Laura Young from Becker Communications, Inc. pose with the recently awarded Certificate interviews, editing, photo of Excellence. selection and print production, which is distributed to more than 3,500 HYS supporters via mail and 1,500 digitally. To view past issues, visit www.issuu.com/ HawaiiYouthSymphony.
Nā Mele Returns this December The televised special will premiere on K5 and HNN.com on December 8 at 8 p.m. with encores on KGMB (December 10 at 7 p.m. and December 17 at 6 p.m.) and KHNL (December 18 at 9 p.m.). To support the program and our continued efforts to make music a right, please consider making a donation or participating in our online auction at makemusicaright.givesmart.com.
Visit us online at hiyouthsymphony.org Follow us on social media @hiyouthsymphony Have an idea for a story, or other comments? Email us at communityfeedback@hiyouthsymphony.org
HYS’s neighbor island students include siblings Jannik and Alina Evanoff, a 14- and 12-year-old brother and sister from Kauai, who both began playing the violin before they turned six. Through participating in the Youth Symphony II and Concert Orchestra programs, Jannik and Alina have greatly improved their ensemble skills as well as their individual playing ability. “My violin teacher proposed auditioning for HYS and I gladly accepted! It has been quite the positive experience. I enjoy playing music with other kids at my skill level,” said Jannik. “The conductors are very fun, but give a challenge sometimes when it comes to the speed of the pieces.”
Fellow neighbor island students from Kauai, Kenneth Hironaka (Flute) and Blake Hironaka (Trumpet), participate in YSII rehearsals on O’ahu.
Both siblings are working to become professional musicians and are active in other fine arts programs throughout the state including the Kauai Community Players, Kauai Community College Orchestra, Hawaii Community College Orchestra and the Partner Piano Playing Workshop.
“Music, to me, represents passion and determination.” – ALINA EVANOFF “The part that I enjoy most when traveling to Oahu for HYS rehearsals, is when the entire orchestra comes together and the music is complete. Whenever I get a song to practice, I can’t wait to hear what it sounds like with everyone involved,” said Alina. “Music, to me, represents passion and determination. It has been fascinating to me from early on and now I can produce it whenever I want. Music is life and I depend on it.”
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
BOARD MEMBER PROFILE
As we advance into the last quarter of 2022, I’ve been reflecting on what an amazing year it’s been coming back after being away for so long. We couldn’t have done it without all of YOU, who have allowed us to grow and expand beyond belief.
Hawaii Youth Symphony’s Board of Directors has been instrumental to the organization’s success. From advocating for our programs to bringing in sponsors, these fifteen community leaders provide us with an incredible amount of support as they make key decisions to address HYS’ mission, vision, strategy and goals. While each board member’s journey to HYS is unique, all share the same commitment to improving music education in Hawaii. In this issue, meet David Imanaka.
With our fall programs now in full effect, we will be moving into 2023 with an incredibly talented group of young musicians, a new office, strong partnerships and more students than ever before. We are excited to share with you some of our many successes throughout the year. In this newsletter, you’ll read stories about some of HYS’s dedicated members from our neighbor islands; Celina Lim, a 10-year member of HYS who was selected to participate in Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra 2 with youth from all over – Mele: the country; and He Makana O Na The Gift of Music, an hour-long television program and gala fundraiser featuring special performances and interviews by our students, staff and guest artists. It has truly been a pleasure seeing the ways that music helps students to grow individually and interpersonally. Music helps young people to develop resilience in the face of adversity, and provides healthy outlets for creative and emotive expression. When you flip through this issue and – Mele next month, we hope you watch Na experience the same excitement and joy, knowing that the ability to create and understand music is changing the lives of young people across the islands. For that, we are incredibly grateful, and we thank you for your immense support.
– RANDY WONG
USIC IS A MAKING M
National Association for Music Education HYS is a proud corporate member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), one of the world’s largest arts education organizations. Through countless initiatives, NAfME works to ensure every individual has access to a well-balanced, comprehensive and high-quality music instruction.
OCCUPATION Attorney, Lung Rose Voss & Wagnild EDUCATION Iolani School, University of Southern California, William S. Richardson School of Law
Why is the mission of HYS important to you? I am deeply passionate about classical music and the importance of music to overall youth education. In serving on its board, I am given the chance to put the skills I have acquired as a litigator at the service of the broader musical community. What does being part of the HYS Board of Directors mean to you? To me, joining HYS means expanding the horizons of youth education in Hawaii by assisting with efforts to improve access and exposure to musical education. Perhaps, most importantly, it means a chance to give back to a community close to my heart.
SUPPORT HYS THIS GIVING TUESDAY November 29 is Giving Tuesday, a time to give, collaborate, share kindness, and celebrate generosity. As a non-profit organization, HYS relies heavily on donations from the community to move forward in its mission to introduce kids of all demographics and backgrounds to music, develop youth to their fullest potential, and benefit the people of Hawaii. To support HYS this Giving Tuesday, visit our website at www.hiyouthsymphony.org/donate. Mahalo for your kokua!
ILEG
E.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
DAVID IMANAKA, ESQ.
HOBBIES Jamming on guitar, playing tennis, indoor climbing
RIV T A P O N , RIGHT
Jazzmone Sutton is NAfME’s state advocacy engagement manager, who seeks to strengthen the connection between the organization’s state affiliates, their members and educational stakeholders through proactive advocacy work.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
CELINA LIM
Can you share a little about the history and current focus of NAfME in advocating for access to music education?
MAKING MUSIC BEYOND HAWAII Many of Hawaii Youth Symphony’s talented students have participated in national programs where they are able to learn and play with some of the best students and instructors in the country. This year, Celina Lim, a senior at Punahou School and a 10-year member of HYS, auditioned and was accepted to play in Carnegie Hall’s NYO2. The prestigious summer orchestra program comes together alongside the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA) and NYO Jazz to provide students with intensive training and performance opportunities. NYO2 has a particular focus on recruiting musicians from communities underrepresented in classical music and is free for all participants. Throughout the month-long program, young musicians work closely with top players from American orchestras and conservatories during a residency at Purchase College, State University of New York. “Growing up as a cellist in the Hawaii Youth Symphony made me curious about what it would be like to be a part of an orchestra beyond this island,” said Lim. “I decided to expand my horizon by applying for NYO2, a national youth orchestra comprised of musicians my age from all around the country. It was a bit nerve wracking at first since I’m so used to playing in an orchestra with familiar
faces, but once I got past the nervousness, it was the most eye-opening experience.”
“Without HYS, I wouldn’t have found my love for playing in an orchestra.” – CELINA LIM Lim began her journey with HYS in third grade at the age of six. Now in her tenth year as a member of HYS, she is making music and sharing her passion with others throughout and beyond our islands. As she plays in her final season with HYS, Lim will serve as an inspiration, role model, and reminder of all that is possible through the gift of music. “I began in Concert String Orchestra, then gradually made my way up to Concert Orchestra, Youth Symphony II and Youth Symphony I,” said Lim. “Without HYS, I wouldn’t have found my love for playing in an orchestra. HYS has taught me many things – from basic etiquette of being a member of an orchestra to musicality, which was really helpful going into NYO.”
The National Association for Music Education advocates at the federal, state, and local level to inform elected officials and other decision makers on the impact and importance of music education. Most notably, NAfME and music education partners successfully advocated for the specific enumeration of music as part of a well-rounded education in the Every Student Succeeds Act and collaborated with an international coalition that provided research and mitigation strategies to keep music in our schools during the pandemic. As we transition away from the pandemic, NAfME President Scott R. Sheehan and NAfME leadership are focusing on teacher recruitment and retention as well as identifying ways to support students from diverse backgrounds to enter the field of music education. You have had the opportunity to speak with many students throughout the years. What about the interaction with future generations inspires you, and are there moments that have particularly stood out to you from these conversations? Prior to working at NAfME, I was an elementary music teacher. Working with them taught me that everyone can find joy in participating and creating music. My students showed me that they were capable of going beyond my expectations and pushing the boundaries of their music making. Future generations of music makers are leveraging access to digital platforms to learn, create, and collaborate with their fellow musicians. They then can bring that learning into their music classrooms and ensembles, which allows for a plethora of music learning avenues to be explored. If there is one thing you would most wish the students listening today could take away from the conversation as they graduate and embark on new journeys, what would it be? Find ways to participate in music that brings you joy. This could be in a college, university, community, or faith-based
ensemble or group. It could also be an individual experience where you are composing music or writing lyrics that are meaningful to you. Whatever form of music-making works best for you, do it and have fun! Lastly, consider a profession like music education, arts administration, sound production or even arts policy! There are a number of ways your passion for music can lead to a fulfilling career. What is a world without the Arts? To answer this question, we must dive into what we consider “the Arts”? When I think of art, several things come to mind; music (of course), literature, film, dance, but there’s also the less obvious like mathematics, cooking, science, and architecture. To me, “the arts” is creativity. So, let’s imagine a world without creativity. The world that comes to mind when I think about a world without creativity can be described in one word. Boring. Can you imagine a world without your favorite artists, performer, tv show, video game, book? There’s a whole list of things that wouldn’t be without the Arts. The Arts bring to life our creativity, and without it our world would be boring. Is there anything else you would like to add? I just want to reiterate the importance of participating in the Arts. The outcome doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s the process that matters. The Arts help us express beauty, wonder, joy, sadness, anger and so many other emotions. The Arts challenge us to see a different perspective, bring us together, and help us discover more about ourselves.
HYS to Perform Newly Commissioned Work in Partnership with NOI+F The Academy String Program’s Intermediate String Ensemble (ISE) will be premiering a newly commissioned work at their Winter Concert, as part of HYS’ collaboration with the National Orchestral Institute+Festival and its K-12 New Music Project grant (funded by the League of American Orchestras’ Futures Fund). The new piece is titled “We Can Sing,” and was composed by Nicholas Felder from the University of Michigan. Mr. Felder was a finalist for the 2017 ASCAP Morton Gould Award, and is one of several BIPOC composers whose work is supported by the grant. As part of the project, Mr. Felder will be speaking with ISE students about his creative process and how he composed the piece. Chad Uyehara, who leads ISE, has been instrumental in facilitating Hawaii Youth Symphony’s involvement. Said Chad: “It’s exciting for our youth to premiere something by a living composer—and for them to learn from him about his inspiration and style.”