Making music is a right, not a privilege. President’s Message Randy Wong
I must take a moment to express how proud we are of the Class of 2022—not only for their accomplishments, but their resilience throughout uncertain times.
Our Seniors: Champions for the Arts Hawaii Youth Symphony recently hosted a panel for our seniors with a spotlight on the importance of supporting music and the arts for future generations. Panelists Najean Lee (League of American Orchestras) and Jazzmone Sutton (National Association for Music Education) shared their experiences advocating for the arts and seeking support from state and federal lawmakers.
United by a love of music and lifelong friendships made through HYS, this class of 44 students from 18 different public, independent, and online schools now head into a shining new future. Our hope is that music will remain a part of their lives—and that they have the necessary tools to thrive, not only in music, but in life.
We look forward to seeing you all at Pacific Music Institute in July, but for now, Congratulations to the Class of 2022! Here’s to your next adventure.
Joey Maeshiro
We are so proud of all you have accomplished thus far and know that your futures are bright. We wish you the very best in the journey ahead and hope that music will remain a part of your lives.
Kristyn Miyamoto Pieter Nauwelaerts
To learn more about our 2022 HYS Seniors, visit our website at hiyouthsymphony.org/celebrating-the-hys-class-of-2022
These remarkable students have inspired us to continue finding new and creative ways to teach and to keep advocating for music education for all.
As we celebrate the many accomplishments of our students, we must also take a moment to recognize the talented teachers who have played such an important role in our students’ musical journeys. Without this passionate and deeply committed group of educators, we would not be able to work toward our dream of making music a right, not a privilege. Mahalo also to the students’ families and friends for all that they’ve done to support and nurture these fine young people.
Congratulations to our 2022 Senior Class!
Several members of the Class of 2022 were further inspired to express their takeaways from this thoughtful discussion: “Music can change lives by connecting people, inspiring people, and moving people. Music can make people feel emotions that they have never come across. It can be a bridge that brings strangers together.” “Music provides me with great joy and a sense of accomplishment.” “For me, it's not about how well I can play, but about how much I change as a person throughout the journey of playing what I am playing.” Through continued dialogue, we hope to welcome more champions of the arts and celebrate this next generation of change-makers as they step into the world.
If you’re interested in supporting Hawaii Youth Symphony visit hiyouthsymphony.org/giving
Bao Nguyen Kenneth Nishikawa
Andy Au
Ellie Ochiai
David Cassens
Aaron Omon
Noah Chang
Angelina Pablo
Zoe Chang
Gabriel Paraso
Kaitlyn Dote
Justin Park
Rafael Elham
Katherine Ricks
Jacob Fetterman
Dylan Serrano
Emily Fujii
Kisa Tamai
Roice Galapon
Austin Taniguchi
Ethan Garland
David Togami
Morgan Garza
Anthony Tran
Spencer Howe
Jolien Tran
Ethan Ibanez
Hinano Tsuchiya
Elvis Imamura
Pamela Villanueva
Kailyn Isobe
Brevely-Ann Wiemer
Austin Jim
Christian Yamada
Eric Kim
Jason Yee
Meenakshi Kutty
Alexander Yip
Christine Lau
Reese Yoshikawa
Eileen Liu
Hawaii Youth Symphony Association 1110 University Avenue, Suite 200 Honolulu, Hawaii 96826-1598
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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
Director of Operations: Aris Doike Assistant Operations Manager: Parker Nakamura Programs Manager: Hannah Watanabe Finance Manager: Lori Yamashita
Symphony Program Wayne Fanning Elton Masaki Susan Ochi-Onishi Joseph Stepec, Director Hannah Watanabe
Academy String Program Michael Lim, Conductor Brent Ramos, Coordinator Chad Uyehara, Director
Jazz Program
Ryan Howe Noel Okimoto Dean Taba, Director
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: League of American Orchestras Ushers in the Next Generation of Advocates The League of American Orchestras leads, supports, and champions America’s orchestras and the vitality of the music they perform. Its diverse membership of more than 1,800 organizations and individuals across North America runs the gamut from world-renowned orchestras to community groups.
Can you share a little about the history and current focus of The League in advocating for access to music education? In 2007, the League of American Orchestras worked with Education & Community Engagement personnel of our member orchestras to craft a Statement of Common Cause in support of in-school music education. Orchestra administrators have consistently indicated that music education is one of the most important issues our field needs to focus on, and advocating for quality arts education for all students continues to be one of [the League’s] bedrock issues. We hope all will join us in advocating for equitable access to comprehensive and sequential music education in our nation’s schools. What is a world without the Arts? At the risk of sounding dramatic, it’s unimaginable. A world without the arts would be one that would lack a means of expression and connection for so many people, regardless of their level of skill or type of art form. The arts tap into something that’s impossible to reach otherwise. For some people maybe that’s fine, but for most everyone I know, we just wouldn’t know what to do with ourselves and I think there would be even more struggle to connect and cope than we already see right now.
Pacific Music Institute
Music in the Clubhouse
If there is one thing you would most wish students could take away from this conversation as they graduate and embark on new journeys, what would it be? Students feel a lot of pressure to make big decisions right now, and some of those are going to be significant—but for any young person, it’s important to be open to following a path that might meander, or to consider taking an unexpected detour. Develop as many interests as you have curiosity about, or delve more deeply into something that’s especially fascinating to you.
Parker Nakamura, Music4Kids Yuseon Nam, Nanakuli Violin Class
“Young Stars” Shine this Summer
Hawaii Symphony Orchestra’s (HSO) Nā Hōkū 'Ōpio “Young Stars” returned for a 2nd year! The competition invites local seniors to showcase their talent on a larger scale. Congratulations to Hawaii Youth Symphony’s very own Matin Boulos, Noah Chang, Emily Fujii, Elvis Imamura, and Austin Jim who are among the six senior students this year to be awarded the distinguished opportunity to play solo repertoire with HSO during its annual Starlight Series.
Najean Lee is Director of Government Affairs and Education Advocacy for the League. As part of the League’s D.C.-based advocacy team, and in addition to federal policy work, she liaises with executive directors and education and community engagement personnel.
What about interactions with future generations inspires you? I’ve been inspired by how much enthusiasm they radiate and how well students speak for themselves. If I had to select one very memorable moment, it was when a bucket band from (Baltimore-based) OrchKids came to D.C. to be part of a briefing on arts education. It can be a challenge to attract people to any given briefing but this one was magnetic—everyone was having so much fun and you even saw some Congressional staffers get in the mix. It’s rare to see that kind of unprompted engagement.
Kassi Hatakenaka, Admissions Coordinator Ignace Jang, Solo & String Quartet Jeremy Lawi, General Manager Joseph Stepec, Artistic Director Dean Taba, Jazz
Summer 2022 Newsletter | Special Senior Edition
Community Concerts Make a Comeback! For the first time in two years, Hawaii Youth Symphony welcomed back live performances with open arms. Our popular Community Concerts made a joyful return this April. Free of charge and open to the public, the performances were met by enthusiastic audiences at SALT at Our Kaka‘ako featuring the talented students of Youth Symphony I and Youth Symphony II. Mahalo to conductors Joseph Stepec, Susan Ochi-Onishi, Hannah Watanabe, Elton Masaki, and Wayne Fanning for inspiring fantastic performances.
Serving on the boards of HYS and HSO, Richard Ing shares a perspective from both organizations—and along with his three sisters, was once an Young Stars Honorees Austin Jim, Noah Chang, Elvis Imamura and HYS student himself. “There are so many extremely talented musicians in Matin Boulos performed in the the various high school programs that are under the radar,” said Ing. HSO Ohana Concerts at the Waikiki Shell “Young Stars showcases these musicians on a major stage–the Waikiki Shell. I’m a big sports fan, so this is akin to high school All-Stars having the opportunity to practice and play with the local professional team! What can be better than that? Like any team sport, playing in an orchestra requires cooperation, camaraderie, and humility.”
HYS Jazz students also had the opportunity to perform at Blue Note Hawaii and our Symphony Program was honored to perform at Moanalua High School’s brand-new Performing Arts Center!
Symphony Program students perform Community Concerts at SALT at Our Kaka'ako
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HYS Jazz Students Elvis Imamura, Austin Jim, and Jett Takazawa perform at Blue Note Hawaii
Have an idea for a story, or other comments? Send a note to communityfeedback@hiyouthsymphony.org. Mahalo!
Matin Boulos, Bass
Noah Chang, Jazz ACE
Elvis Imamura, Jazz ACE
Emily Fujii, Oboe
“The teachers and conductors at HYS have helped me grow my passion and motivation to seek musical learning opportunities both on and off-island, and connected me to many amazing local musical artists! My mom is the second harpist for HSO, so a huge part of my childhood was sitting backstage during rehearsals and listening to the beautiful music. I am so honored to have grown up in such close proximity to these amazing musicians, and to being able to play with them before I leave them for college!”
“Since the program started, I have played the drumset in Hawaii Youth Symphony's jazz combo. From there, I had the honor of performing in three of the Na Mele fundraisers with Youth Symphony I and Jake Shimabukuro. Throughout the years, HYS has provided me with outstanding mentorship that greatly helped my musical development. The jazz combo members and I feel extremely honored to be among this year's Nā Hōkū 'Ōpio Young Stars winners.”
Through this opportunity, I am extremely proud to represent jazz musicians and the jazz program. I know that the concerto soloists are traditionally classical musicians, but I am incredibly grateful to the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra and everyone else who gave the jazz combo the privilege to perform at this once-in-a-lifetime event. This is my second and final year with the HYS jazz combo, and it has been an honor to participate in such a wonderful program.
I have been a part of the Hawaii Youth Symphony since the 8th grade. HYS has been a place where I can truly enjoy playing, and it has played a role in developing my love for music and the culture surrounding it. Being selected to perform with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra is quite exciting, and I greatly appreciate this opportunity. I feel strongly about the arts, specifically music’s contribution to the world, and am happy to be a part of this concert series which helps local charitable causes.