2024 Winter Concert Series

2024 Winter Concert Series

Symphony Winter Concert

Sunday, December 1, 2024 ❄ 2:00 pm Moanalua High School Performing Arts Center

Academy Strings Winter Concert Saturday, December 14, 2024 ❄ 2:00 pm Roosevelt High School Auditorium

Jazz Winter Concert

Sunday, December 15, 2024 ❄ 3:00 pm Studio 909 www.HiYouthSymphony.org

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Celebrating our 60th season!

Aloha!

A Message from the Maestro

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elcome to Winter Concert 2024! This afternoon showcases all of the work and superior artistry of our three Symphony Program orchestras: Concert Orchestra, Youth Symphony II and Youth Symphony I. The students have been working so very hard on this repertoire — since August! — and we are very excited to be performing for you!

Music is a universal language with a rich history that stretches its hands across many eras, cultures and places.

Here at the Hawai‘i Youth Symphony, music's innate power to move us, to touch our souls, lies at the heart of our love for the art form; it is the essential element that drives our steadfast commitment to providing an experience like no other for our state’s talented keiki.

This afternoon’s concerts showcase not just the work of our students, but it also spotlights their artistry, their heart, their passion and commitment. I can think of no other art form that can fully put on display our collective humanity — our empathy, camaraderie, and heart.

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the music!

A Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year to all!

Joseph Stepec

Joseph Stepec Director of Orchestral Activities Hawai‘i Youth Symphony

2024 Winter Concert Series

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Acknowledgements

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

State of Hawai’i Dr. Josh Green, Governor Hawai’i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts Karen Ewald, Executive Director City & County of Honolulu Rick Blangiardi, Mayor Accounting KMH LLP Evan Yamamoto, Robert Loke, Daniel Lott Audio Engineer Duane Padilla Graphic Design Commuter Industries Halekulani Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra Amy Iwano, President & CEO Printing Edward Enterprises Sanford Morioka, 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, Jasmine Nip-Palmer University of Hawai‘i Music Department Donald Womack, Chair William Watson, Facility Coordinator Kaimuki Middle School Frank Fernandes, Principal Niu Valley Middle School Jeffrey Shitaoka, Principal Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii Paddy Kauhane, President & Chief Executive Officer Claudia “Lala” Fernandez, EVP & Chief Operations Officer Danielle Trinidad (Spalding) Kekoa Tupua (Nānākuli) Moanalua High School Robin Martin, Principal Andrew Ching, Music Director Cavin Takesue, Associate Music Director Todd Oshima, Associate Music Director Rhona Barbosa, Associate Music Director Landon Mauricio, Moanalua Performing Arts Center Manager Roosevelt High School Sean Wong, Principal Gregg Abe, Music Director

Studio909 Robert Shinoda, Sonya Mendez Symphony Program Coaches Christopher Cabrera, YSI Percussion Coach Aris Doike, YSII Cello Coach Guy Lum, CO & YSII Percussion Coach Allen Nii, YSII Brass Coach Alexander Peña, CO String Coach Academy Strings Concert Parent Volunteers Tee Swan, Colleen Tano Jazz Concert Concert Parent Volunteers Michelle Funai, Wade Nobuhara Concert Orchestra Concert Parent Volunteers Marru Arellano, Stefanie Lawton, Kathleen Lu Youth Symphony II Concert Parent Volunteers Jill Kawaguchi, Roslyn Meinert, Michele Nuibe, Debbie Petilos Youth Symphony I Concert Parent Volunteers Margret Arakaki, Amy Carlson Janet Maeshiro, Wade Nobuhara

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2024–2025 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

Hawai‘i 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

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ADMINISTRATION Randy Wong, President & CEO Rachel Schultz, Chief Operating Officer 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 Alexander Peña, Concert Orchestra String Coach Academy Program Michael Lim, Conductor, String Orchestra Ensemble & Concert String Orchestra

Carissa Miyamoto, Conductor, Beginning String Ensemble & Intermediate String Ensemble Stefanie Lawton, Beginning String Ensemble Cello Instructor Sayuri Yamamoto, Beginning String Ensemble Bass Instructor 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 Abraham “Abe” Lagrimas, Jr., Music4Kids Honolulu Instructor Veronica Cox, Nānākuli Music4Kids Instructor Daniel Kawaiʻaeʻa Shaver, Nānākuli Strings 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

Celebrating our 60th season!

SYMPHONY PROGRAM

Winter Concert

Sunday, December 1, 2024 ❄ 2:00 pm Moanalua High School Performing Arts Center

Concert Orchestra Wayne Fanning, Conductor

Radetzky March

Johann Strauss Sr. arr. Merle J. Isaac

Water Reflections for Orchestra

Yukiko Nishimura

Capriccio Italien

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky arr. Merle J. Isaac

Percussion Ensemble Taiko A La Tom-Tom

Steven Wulff

What's Up at the Symphony?

Jerry Brubaker

Youth Symphony II

Elton Masaki & Susan Ochi-Onishi, Conductors Percussion Ensemble From the Start

Laufey arr. Z. Morita and L. Nishida

Saga

Ilari Hylkilä

Finlandia

Jean Sibelius

A Million Suns at Midnight

Connor Cowart

Youth Symphony I Joseph Stepec, Conductor

Percussion Ensemble Kentucky Rosewood: A Bluegrass Jamboree Percussion Ensemble Quartet For Snare Drums

Murray Houllif Kevin Bobo

Cuban Overture

George Gershwin

Danse Macabre

Camille Saint-Saëns

Romeo & Juliet Fantasy Overture 2024 Winter Concert Series

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky SYMPHONY PROGRAM ❄ December 1 | 5

Concert Orchestra Wayne Fanning Concert Orchestra Conductor

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ayne 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.

❄ Alexander Peña Concert Orchestra String Coach

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exican-American violist/conductor, Alexander Peña, serves as the Director of Orchestras at ‘Iolani School in Honolulu. A member of the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra, he can be seen performing across the islands with the Kaua‘i Concert Association, Maui Pops Orchestra, and Early Music Hawaii / First Monday Concert Series at Lutheran Church of Honolulu. As an educator, clinician, and chamber musician, Mr. Peña works with programs including the Pacific Music Institute, Hawai‘i Youth Symphony, and University of Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Peña currently serves as the President-elect of the Hawaii-Chapter of the American String Teachers Association and serves on the Board of Directors for the Hawai‘i Music Teachers Association.

In addition to his work in Hawaii, Mr. Peña is a founding-member and violist with the Lakes Area Music Festival Orchestra where he also directs the Explore Music! program, a day camp for youth that is now celebrating its 16th year in Northern Minnesota. Alexander earned an Arts Leadership Program Certificate, the Robert Oppelt Viola Prize, Bachelor and Master of Music from the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. In 2019, he also received an Executive Graduate Certificate from the Global Leaders Music Program, where he was awarded the Global Humanitarian Entrepreneur Prize from the Hildegard Behrens Foundation.

6 | December 1 ❄ CONCERT ORCHESTRA

Celebrating our 60th season!

Violin I

Concert Orchestra

Geon Cha Joseph Ching Jinghuan Dong Colin Emerson Cole Jackson Olivia Kawashima Tara Krishnagopalan Victoria Lu Mizuki Mau Noah Tanaka Elena Tjoeng Lantana Widana, Concertmaster

Violin II

Vivienne Borrman Douglas Chan Lucas Chew Clara Elham Shannon Avery Go Sophia Kawashima Kaimiloapono KawazuArmstrong Noah Kim Kian Jackso, Principal Sue Lee Jeff Pitathawatchai Arianna Zeleen Policarpio Suriel Wane YiJia Wang Abigail Wood Jeannie Wu Lillian Yim

Viola

Jedi Si Ming Ng Joseph Perez Louis Rhee, Principal Mathayus Scherling

Bass

David Kunihiro Ian Taira, Principal

Harp

Chloe Chen, Principal

Flute

Zhi Yi Chen Chloe Choi Zena Kailani De Vencia Anna Motohashi, Principal Brandon Ogimoto Qinglin Ye

Oboe

Jaslyn Kwock, Principal Isabelle Quay Malina Sautter Ryder Sue

Clarinet

Pyeonggeun Kim Bonnie Lee Trinity Louie Aden Michibata Yoshiki Yamada, Principal

Bassoon

Leon Nguyen Humi Yoshizawa, Principal

Horn

Shoshana EsmondSchadel Emie Hinazumi Tanner Millard, Principal Justin Morikawa Taeja Takahashi

Trumpet

Vincent Lassoff Jaymes Lau Daniel Son Heston Wolf, Principal Erin Wong

Trombone

Hikaru Kikuchi Landon Magpoc Justus Shitaoka Ylang Valencia, Principal

Euphonium

Evan Shiota, Principal

Tuba

Matthew Oshiro Sara Roper, Principal

Percussion

Makenna Arellano Atsushi Harada-Collier Mia Kim Nanami Mata, Principal Trinity Vong

Seoyeon Byun Ty Dudoit, Principal Daphne Lawton Melody Luo Asa Thompson Alyson Wong

Cello

Luca Arnone Rose Bozeman Audrey Branner Aria Chan Madiline Ebisu Olivia Kim Rex Lin Elizabeth Lun Evelyn Mui Bronwen Nagayama 2024 Winter Concert Series

About Concert Orchestra

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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 92 students from 30 public, private and homeschools across ‘Oahu, Kaua‘i, and Moloka‘i. This season’s concertmaster is Lantana Widana, a seventh grade student from the SEEQS Public Charter School.

CONCERT ORCHESTRA ❄ December 1 | 7

Youth Symphony II Susan Ochi-Onishi Youth Symphony II Conductor

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usan 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 Hawai‘i 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 an oboe student of Ray Still (CSO) and studied the english horn with Grover Schiltz (CSO). 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 Co-Conductor of the Hawai‘i Youth Symphony II and is an alumna of the Hawai‘i Youth Symphony Program where she served as Principal Oboe during her time as a student.

❄ Elton Masaki Youth Symphony II Conductor

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lton 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 co-conductor of Youth Symphony II. In the past, he has also taught orchestra at Mid-Pacific Institute, Kamehameha Middle School, and with the Hawai‘i 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, and O‘ahu Chamber Orchestra and has also subbed as a violinist with the Hawaii Pops, Maui Symphony, and Kona Symphony.

8 | December 1 ❄ YOUTH SYMPHONY II

Celebrating our 60th season!

Violin I

Youth Symphony II

Dominic Chi Ethan Chow Alina Evanoff Hayden Freitas Vincent Lau Brian Lim, Concertmaster Daniel Lin Shiloh Mitsui Minh Chau Nguyen Hayley Okano Rosalyn Olsen Tenley Tanigawa Rylan Terayama Tri Truong Keoni Wun Eileen Zhang

Violin II

Xelhuan AndersonMartinez Hailee Choi Airi Choy Sydney Chung Elena de Lima Charles Haring Elizabeth Huang Haley Lau Kira Miyamoto Cheyna Murakami, Principal Bryce Nouchi Lacey Park Chloe Petilos Zuri Phung Kolleen Roessig Taylor Rogers Sherry Taguchi Tobias Watanabe Kirstin Wee Shion Yamasaki

Isabella Santos Daniel Schoen Evangeline Tjoeng, Principal Ty Tokunaga

Horn

Jason Okutani

Maile Judd Morton Kjos-Hanssen Samuel McNiel Matthew Meinert, Co-Principal Breydi Nuibe, Co-Principal Kai Takenouchi-Amador Eva Tramuto

Eunice Kim Celine Lee, Co-Principal David Na, Co-Principal Jason Okutani Baiyi Wang

Micah Kim Jayce Labuguen Javis Phan, Co-Principal Akari Takayanagi Daniel Tanaka, Co-Principal

Harp

Beylih Moani Beale

Piccolo Flute

Oboe

Ian Cho Charlotte Gimber Kamy Kaneshige Nainoa Tindle, Co-Principal Brandalyn Tran, Co-Principal

Clarinet

Nathan Amemiya Junyu Blas Lauren Chen Anna Choi, Co-Principal Matt Michibata, Co-Principal Erin Suehisa

Bass Clarinet Lauren Chen

Bassoon

Jerry Gao, Principal Ashton Kim

Trumpet

Trombone

Caleb Chinen, Co-Principal Cy Kaneshiro, Co-Principal Melissa Nishihara Jason Sakata Alex Shin

Bass Trombone Cy Kaneshiro Melissa Nishihara

Tuba

Slayter Kamimura, Principal Charles Schulberg

Percussion

Keira Ida Ayu James Kunihiro Isaac Matsumoto, Principal Taitum Tanouye

Viola

Analise Borrman Leala Florendo Rui Han, Principal Kayla Howard Sean Lee Carly Mirafuentes

Cello

Princeton Co Otto Ferguson Rika Kamemoto Kaitlyn Naputo Paisley Sagadraca 2024 Winter Concert Series

About Youth Symphony II

Youth Symphony II (YSII) is the second most advanced of HYS’s seven orchestras. For the 2024–2025 season, YSII is composed of 93 students from 25 public, private and homeschools across O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, and the Big Island. Brian Lim, an eleventh grade student from Kalani High School is this season’s concertmaster.

YOUTH SYMPHONY II ❄ December 1 | 9

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

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oseph Stepec came to Hawai‘i from Cleveland, Ohio in 2016. He is Associate 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 more. He is an active clinician that has guest taught many ensembles visiting Hawai‘i, on the mainland, and abroad 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. 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.

As the Director of Orchestral Activites at the Hawai‘i Youth Symphony, Mr. Stepec conducts the top orchestra, Youth Symphony I. With that ensemble he has premiered new works by living composers and has worked with countless Hawai‘i based artists. He has toured with the ensemble to the outer islands and has been featured in concert at the Waikīkī Shell and Blaisdell Concert Hall. His work with the Hawai‘i Youth Symphony was recognized in 2024 with an induction to the Pacific Business News magazine’s “40 under 40,” which recognizes leaders in Hawai‘i.

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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.

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—Joseph Stepec

10 | December 1 ❄ YOUTH SYMPHONY I

Celebrating our 60th season!

Violin I

Youth Symphony I

Eric Camacho Preston Chi Leia Choi Ymin Guo Ashley Jisue Hong Jayden Kim Vance Maeshiro, Co-Concertmaster Aya Okimoto Max Shinno Kaitlyn Sim Sevastyan Swan, Co-Concertmaster Gwyneth Tenn, Co-Concertmaster

Violin II

Nicholas Chi Flora Elham Elizabeth Fink Yanling Guo Kai Im Coco Kim Riya Krishnagopalan Victor Lee Lily Nomura Christopher Oyama Alexis Phansaithong Sage Shiroma Maria Swan Katherine Wu Daniel Yoo

Lucas Sanford Reese Walther Bryan Wood Jodie Wung Taigo Yuen

Bass

Seitaro Kobayashi Isabelle Morita Joshua Wung

Harp

Daniel Kim Spencer Lyau

Horn

Jake Miyakawa Kobe Miyamasu Maiah Oba Nicholas Williams Nicholas Xu

Trumpet

Arabella Tan

Flute

Hope Bayudan Flora Liao Henry Rhee Jessica-Holly Wiemer

Oboe

Kenton Chang Maya Hokada Sara Inao Ayaka Yoshii

Clarinet

Bassoon

Yuto Kawaguchi Jeannie Kim Ellie Obara Aiden Taheri

Kyle Ehara Grace Hagino Paige Kawana Christopher Yara

Trombone

Kolten Hamana Jae Koo Andrew Li

Tuba

Xyon-La'Jount Jury

Percussion

Camden Funai Mani Kovacich Carter Nobuhara Ian Pak *Students rotate seating for each piece.

Viola

Hyunwoo Chang Haaon Cho Eun Ha Sophie Kaiser Swan Kim Albert Ko Hannah Kwak Kyla Miyamoto Gray Nauwelaerts Lulu Wang

Cello

Anson Akemoto Dylan Kalā Campuspos Sophia Chan Leiyao Chang Ashlyn Ito Ian Jun Jibhum Lee 2024 Winter Concert Series

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 2024–2025 season, YSI is composed of 84 students, grades 9–12, from 18 public, home and independent schools across O‘ahu. This year, YSI has three co-concertmasters. Vance Maeshiro, a senior from ‘Iolani, Sevastyan Swan, an eleventh grade Homeschool student, and Gwyneth Tenn, a senior from Punahou.

YOUTH SYMPHONY I ❄ December 1 | 11

ACADEMY STRINGS PROGRAM

Winter Concert Saturday, December 14, 2024 ❄ 2:00 pm Roosevelt High School Auditorium

Beginning String Ensemble

Carissa Miyamoto, Violin/Viola Teacher & Conductor Stefanie Lawton, Cello Teacher Sayuri Yamamoto, Bass Teacher Program to come from String Basics Book 1 and be announced from the stage.

Intermediate String Ensemble Carissa Miyamoto, Conductor

Snowflakes

Les Taylor

Hotaru Koi

Keiko Yamada

Medieval Kings

Soon Hee Newbold

String Orchestra Ensemble Michael Lim, Conductor

Velocity

Brian Balmages

Over the Rainbow

Harold Arlen arr. Carson Rothrock

Air and Dance

M. L. Daniels

Concert String Orchestra Michael Lim, Conductor

Heart of Fire

Lauren Bernofsky

Moon River

Henry Mancini arr. Blake Neely

Paragon Rag

Scott Joplin arr. William Zinn

Sarabande and Gavotte from Holberg Suite

12 | December 14 ❄ ACADEMY PROGRAM

Edvard Grieg arr. Brendan McBrien Celebrating our 60th season!

Academy Strings Program Michael Lim String Orchestra Ensemble & Concert String Orchestra Conductor

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ichael 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 Hawai’i 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 was the orchestra and choir teacher at Mid Pacific Institute. He is currently at Punahou School where he teaches orchestra at the elementary and middle school levels. 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.

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Carissa Miyamoto Beginning String Ensemble & Intermediate String Ensemble Conductor

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arissa Miyamoto is a passionate music educator, violinist, and trumpet player. She grew up participating in the Hawai’i Youth Symphony program from BSE through YSI. She is a Moanalua High School graduate and recently earned her Bachelor’s in Music Education at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa.

She was a member of the 2019 Sacramento Mandarins on lead trumpet, placing in the top 12 for DCI finals. In 2021, she aged out as a member of the Santa Clara Vanguard. She currently aspires to serve the communities and organizations that helped her foster her own love for music and education.

2024 Winter Concert Series

ACADEMY STRINGS PROGRAM ❄ December 14 | 13

Stefanie Lawton Beginning String Ensemble Cello Instructor

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tefanie Lawton began playing the cello in the 4th grade, enrolled in the Hawai’i Youth Symphony’s Beginning Strings instructed by Louise Ching and Karen Bechtel, both of whom Stefanie later studied with privately. Subsequent private cello instructors included Gregory Dubay and Dr. I-Bei Lin. In addition to private instructors Stefanie counts school and other Hawai‘i Youth Symphony orchestra directors, as well as University of Hawai’i at Mānoa (UHM) orchestra, band, and choir directors, and other music faculty, as major influencers, noting especially Norma Parado (Kalani High School), Michael Nakasone (HYS), Dr. LaVar Krantz (UHM), Thomas Bingham (UHM), Grant Okamura (UHM), Dr. Karen Kennedy (UHM), Gabriel Villasurda (UHM), and Henry Miyamura (HYS and UHM). Stefanie is also very thankful for first years of “on the job” training, working with and observing orchestra directors Derrick Yamane (HYS) and Dr. Robert Hamilton (Kamehameha Schools).

During college Stefanie taught private cello lessons, co-taught the Kalani High School Orchestra, directed church and community choirs, and did substitute and/or assistant teaching for school orchestras on O‘ahu. One school year Stefanie taught band, orchestra, and general music at ‘Āina Haina Elementary School. Through college years and afterwards Stefanie worked extensively for HYS in various capacities.

Stefanie holds a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Instrumental Music from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. Stefanie has performed in community and professional orchestras and small ensembles on the islands of O’ahu, Maui, Kaua’i, Lāna’i, and Hawai’i, as well as in the San Francisco Bay Area. Over two decades, in addition to being a guest clinician at various schools and for the 2016 Central District Beginning and Intermediate Honor Orchestras, Stefanie held the position of Director of Orchestras at St. Andrew’s Priory (now St. Andrew’s Schools), then at Moanalua Elementary School, next teaching orchestra and sectionals at Punahou School. Stefanie continues to teach privately and is enjoying a return to roots in HYS’s Beginning Strings and Concert Orchestra ensembles, this time as instructor (BSE) and concert parent (CO). Stefanie enjoys expanding upon instrumental playing skills and conducting, cooking, watching movies, spending time with daughters Daphne and Cora, and being a volunteer Concert Parent for this year’s HYS Concert Orchestra.

❄ Sayuri Yamamoto Beginning String Ensemble Bass Instructor

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ayuri Yamamoto is a member of the bass section of the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra. Born and raised in Japan, she studied bass at Riverside Community College, California State University, Fullerton and the University of Southern California. She was a teaching assistant at USC and on the bass faculty at Biola University. Ms. Yamamoto moved to O‘ahu in 2020. She is a lecturer in Music, Double Bass at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. She teaches at ‘Iolani School and Punahou School. She frequently coaches the basses at Moanalua High School, Moanalua Middle School and also gives private lessons. In the summer, Ms. Yamamoto returns to San Diego to teach at the San Diego Bass Fest and the San Diego Summer Institute.

❄ Brent Ramos Academy Coordinator, Office Receptionist

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rent 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, Brent 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 since 2021, and started working as the HYS Office Receptionist in 2022. Besides his roles at HYS, Brent is a violinist with the Hawai‘i 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.

14 | December 14 ❄ ACADEMY PROGRAM

Celebrating our 60th season!

Violin

Beginning String Ensemble

Athena Bruihl Amelie Cho Hannah Chong Yaoqi Liu Kenny Pitathawatchai Rachel Siu Aria Tano Xiduo Wang Sharon Xu

Viola

Amelia Brown Joshua Chong

Selena Huang Austin Jenss Amelia Pace Mina Park Ariella Smith Natalie Szatkowski Rachel Xue David Zhou

Cello

Aisling Brown Sana Cook Kenzo Cummings Yujin Da

Chris Ding Hailey Jun Eunice Lee Luke Lihalakha Aiden Wu Ailey Yu

Bass

Sooa Park Kyle Sia Nora Trimble

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Violin

Intermediate String Ensemble

Michael Andrew Chang Madison Chen Kiane Durand QuirogaVerhaaf Leon Hong Hayli Kim Isabella Lorenzo Trevor Lou Dominic McClure Miya Nguyen Jinsu Park Kanani Reid Tetsuo Shimazu

Tomoe Shimazu Rydan Duke Stevenson Giselle Yan Lily Yasuda

Viola

Ethan Cha Chloe Cheong Lucia Cheong Gabriel Gardner Peyton Taketa

Cello

Kahoe Amimoto John Anthony Chang

Alisa Gardner Desmond McClure Minsu Park Mason Phung Giuliano Jack Alexander Ricardi King Zane Schank

Bass

Ellie Arakaki Evelyn Cindrity Ryden Overton Emily Smith Isla Stark

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.

BSE students learn the basics of how to play an instrument and read music, and no audition is needed to join this class. ISE students also do not need to audition, but have completed at least one year of a beginning class or book. Students in SOE & CSO auditioned back in August to become members of their respective advancing ensembles. This season, we have 126 Academy students representing more than 59 public, independent, and homeschools from ‘Oahu, Kaua‘i, and Lāna‘i.

During the summer, the Academy offers Summer Strings. Students receive daily instruction over a fiveweek session for beginning and intermediate players with no audition required. All Academy classes are held at the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii’s Spalding Clubhouse.

2024 Winter Concert Series

ACADEMY STRINGS PROGRAM ❄ December 14 | 15

Violin

String Orchestra Ensemble

Milani Cortez Lia Fagaragan Rosella Mae Galapon Mia Ginchereau Eileen Kim Kacie Kodani Kaleb Konishi Jade Liao Claire Lim Chi Nguyen

Cassidy Oshiro Caden Soeda Kaci Sueoka Sarah Takahashi Griffin Tano Alex Tokunaga Andrew Wang Joy Wang Ivy Won Valencia Yang

Viola

Jacquelyn Branner Esther Kim

Cello

Alice Honigman Travis Lou Klara Roessig Albert Wang

❄

Violin

Concert String Orchestra

Cleopatra Bell-Grey Ethan Chan Mariko Colaianni Ava Colon Trevor Dinh Gina Esaki Katelyn Ewing Sari Fujimoto Kai Hsin Hamano James Joyner, III Sophia Kimura

Annaka Lau Gabriel Li Eliana Lin Ava Morgan Lilian Polley Gregory Schopf Noah Swan Samuel Tarn Isaiah Wane Runxin Wang Aya Wismeth Jana Wu

16 | December 14 ❄ ACADEMY PROGRAM

Viola

Kyle Wills-Liang

Cello

Bella Arnone Brian Baik Jacob Kim Mia Lu Emi Mochinaga Nathan Olsen Eliza Sheets Donald Spire Lincoln Sueoka

Celebrating our 60th season!

HAWAII YOUTH SYMPHONY offers a complete spectrum of out-of-school music programs includingincluding its Symphony Program, Jazz Program, Academy Strings Program, and Music in the Clubhouse program. Through these programs, HYS serves 700 students annually from more than 100 public, charter, independent and home schools across the state.

OUR CORE VALUES Inspire, Dream Courageously, Grow Together, Have Fun MUSIC IN THE CLUBHOUSE offers entry-level programs, in collaboration with the Boys & Girls Club of Hawai’i and other community partners, to spark students’ curiosity and provide free or low-cost access to music. HYS provides instruments and materials, and no musical experience is required. Locations include the Spalding Clubhouse which holds beginning ‘ukulele lessons and Nanakuli YET Clubhouse which teaches beginning violin classes for students along the Waianae coast.

THE ACADEMY STRING PROGRAM offers students an opportunity to grow together and sharpen their orchestra string skills. School year and summer violin classes are available for beginning and intermediate players.

THE JAZZ PROGRAM invites students who are looking to learn, improve and elevate their ability to play popular, commercial and jazz styles.

THE SYMPHONY PROGRAM welcomes string, woodwind, brass and percussion students from all islands to audition and take part in full orchestras. Symphony Program students perform classical masterworks, newly commissioned pieces, popular music, and educational “Listen & Learn” concerts for youth, by youth.

At HYS, we envision a Hawaiʻi where music is a right. In order to make progress toward our strategic vision, we bring music education and concerts to underserved communities. Out of over 200 DOE schools in the State of Hawaii, less than 5% offer comprehensive music programs. Our nonprofit is a statewide music education organization that seeks to bridge that gap. Here’s how we make an impact!

INTRODUCE

keiki of all demographics & backgrounds to music education early in childhood.

DEVELOP

their skills & confidence by providing a pathway of continuous improvement.

GIVE BACK

to our Hawai‘i community.

Show our students that they can inspire other kids by spreading the joy of music.

While it is difficult to recognize all of the people and moments that made our last 60 years possible, here are a few highlights:

1954 – 1958 A youth orchestra was formed as a special project of the Honolulu Junior Chamber of Commerce.

1962 By 1962, the orchestra had been reorganized by the Honolulu Jaycees.

1964 On December 24, 1964, HAWAII YOUTH SYMPHONY is incorporated to provide for the enrichment and cultivation of the minds and spirits of the youth in our community. Peter Mesrobian is founding Music Director.

1965 – 1968 HYS makes its neighbor island debuts with four concerts on Maui and Hawai‘i Island. In 1966, Harold Higa formed the Hawaii Junior Youth Symphony, which eventually becomes the HYS Academy String Program.

1977 HYS and the Honolulu Symphony partnered for “A TASTE OF THE SYMPHONY,” conducted by Sidney Rothstein at McKinley Auditorium and sponsored by Mayor Frank F. Fasi.

1979-1984 Grant Okamura joins HYS as Music Director. During this time, Mr. Okamura’s students include future HYS faculty Susan Ochi-Onishi and Dean Taba.

1984

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Henry Miyamura makes his debut as Music Director, as HYS articulates a new mission: to foster cultural enrichment of the community through the study of orchestral instruments and to present musical performances designed for youth and performed by youth.

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1987 THE PACIFIC MUSIC INSTITUTE, a project of Maestro Miyamura and Maui colleague Lance Jo, was held for the first time at Seabury Hall, Makawao, Maui.

1999 HYS holds its first HE MAKANA O NĀ MELE: THE GIFT OF MUSIC gala.

2008 HYS begins partnership with BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF HAWAII.

2013 HYS makes the final ballot for its first Nā Hōkū Hanohano nomination, “The Golden Ages of Waikiki: Hawaii Youth Symphony with Jimmy Borges and The WAITIKI 7”

2016 – 2017 In Maestro Miyamura’s final season as HYS Music Director, Youth Symphony I accompanies Midori and takes part in her Orchestra Residencies Program (and performs with her), becomes the first full orchestra featured on the nationallybroadcast radio program From The Top, and performs with renowned pianist Conrad Tao.

2018 – 2023 HYS launches a new logo and its strategic vision to MAKE MUSIC A RIGHT. HAWAII SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA debuts the first of many Side-by-Side collaborative concerts. Music in the Clubhouse expands to Nanakuli, a partnership with National Orchestral Institute is established with PMI, and Super Strings is brought to the windward side in collaboration with Le Jardin Academy. Fast Company recognizes HYS for its innovative work in Social Good.

2024 and beyond Maestro Joseph Stepec is honored in Pacific Business News’ 40 Under 40 and HYS MARKS 60 YEARS OF MUSIC in the islands, continuing to provide access and opportunities for students of all ages and backgrounds.

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“I grew up on the Big Island in Hilo. As a high schooler, it was exciting to get on a plane and be semi-independent, to come to rehearsal and have this opportunity to meet students from other islands and make music with them. You go back to your own program more inspired. I’m very grateful that students now still have that opportunity, and hopefully it’ll continue so that we can strengthen the programs around the state.”

– WAYNE FANNING, Concert Orchestra Conductor & HYS Alumnus (‘93)

MAKING MUSIC ACROSS HAWAI‘I We believe music is a right, meaning everyone should have the opportunity to make and listen to music regardless of who they are or where they live. To move towards this vision, we are constantly taking steps to increase access to music education across all islands, encouraging students throughout the entire state to join both our symphony and jazz programs. As of 2024, HYS has served students from every island across Hawai‘i. To ensure no child is turned away from a quality music education because of financial needs, HYS distributes more than $50,000 a year through its financial aid program. HYS offers assistance for: • • • •

Registration fees Instrument loans Private lessons Air and surface travel for neighbor island students

The effects of music on a young person’s life are countless and everlasting. Through participating in HYS, students develop skills that they carry with them forever and are given the ability to create opportunities for themselves that they may not have had otherwise.

Pictured (right): Kaua’i students, Asa (CO) and Naomi (YSII), travel to O‘ahu Pictured (below): Wayne Fanning (’93), Concert Orchestra Conductor, leads PMI Middle School All-State Band.

Mahalo to Our Schools

HYS is grateful to the many public, private, and home schools that play their part in helping to advance music’s role in their communities. The following schools are represented in our various HYS programs this year. We are deeply grateful to all the music educators and private music teachers whose expertise, encouragement, and support mean so much to our students.

Every attempt has been made to publish a complete listing of schools for the 2024–2025 season, and we regret any errors or omissions have been made.

Ahuimanu Elementary School ‘Aiea Intermediate School ‘Āina Haina Elementary School Alaka‘i O Kaua‘i PCS Āliamanu Elementary School Assets School Castle High School Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School Eckstein Middle School Einstein Middle School Enlightium Academy Ft. Shafter Elementary School Hanahau‘oli School Hawaii Baptist Academy Hawai‘i Technology Academy Hawaiian Mission Academy Hickam Elementary School Highlands Intermediate School Hilo High School Hilo Intermediate School Homeschool Hongwanji Mission Honouliuli Middle School ‘Iolani School Island Pacific Academy Isobe Junior High School iUniversity Prep Jarrett Middle School Jefferson Elementary School Juana Briones Elementary School Ka Waihona o ka Na‘auao PCS Kāhala Elementary School Kahuku High School Kahuku Intermediate School Kailua High School Kailua Intermediate School Kaimuki Christian Kaimukī Middle School Kaiser High School Kalāheo High School Kalani High School 2024 Winter Concert Series

Kamehameha Schools—Hawai'i Kamehameha Schools—Kapālama Kapolei High School Kapolei Middle School Kawānanakoa Middle School King Intermediate School Kulia Academy La Pietra Lanakila Baptist Middle School Lanikai Elementary School Le Jardin Academy Liholiho Elementary School Lincoln Middle School Lunalilo Elementary School Mānoa Elementary School Mary, Star of the Sea School Maryknoll School Maui Waena Middle School Mauka Lani Elementary School McKinley High School Mid-Pacific Institute Mililani High School Mililani Ike Elementary School Mililani Mauka Elementary School Mililani Middle School Moanalua Elementary School Moanalua High School Moanalua Middle School Momilani Elementary School Myron B. Thompson Nānāikapono Elementary School Niu Valley Middle School Noelani Elementary School Nuuanu Elementary School Palisades Elementary School Pauoa Elementary School Pearl City High School Pullman High School Punahou School Radford High School Roosevelt High School

Royal Elementary School Sacred Hearts Academy Sage Hill School Saint Louis School Salt Lake Elementary School SEEQS St. Andrew’s Priory St. George‘s Classical Academy St. Mark Lutheran School Stevenson Middle School The King's Academy University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa University Laboratory PCS Waiākea High School Waiākea Intermediate School Wai‘alae School PCS Wai‘anae High School Waikīkī Elementary School Waimānalo Elementary and Intermediate School Waipahu High School Waipahu Intermediate School Waolani Judd N. School Washington Middle School Wilson Elementary School

MAHALO TO OUR SCHOOLS | 21

JAZZ PROGRAM

Winter Concert Sunday, December 15, 2024 ❄ 3:00 pm Studio 909, Musician’s Association of Hawai‘i Dean Taba, Jazz Program 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.

22 | December 15 ❄ JAZZ

Celebrating our 60th season!

HYS Jazz Dean Taba Jazz Program Director PMI Jazz Intensive Director

A

highly 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 Hawai‘i 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 Shimabukuo, 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 Jazz Instructor

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yan 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 Jazz Instructor

B

orn 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.

2024 Winter Concert Series

JAZZ ❄ December 15 | 23

Saxophones

Verily Coryell Owen Dennis Kyle Nakagawa

Trombone

Erin Kawamura

Jazz II

Electric Guitar

Elias Hollenbeck

Bass Guitar

Erin Kawamura Liam Lihalakha

Keyboard

Rodrigo Del Carpio Liam Lihalakha

Drum Set

Camden Funai Isato Kimura

❄

Saxophones

Desmond Mauer Maxwell Chin

Jazz I

Electric Guitar

Broderick Nakasone Eli Wolf

Drum Set

Mani Kovacich Carter Nobuhara

Bass Guitar

Johann Machida

About Jazz Program

A relatively new HYS program, HYS Jazz celebrates its fifth 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 two levels for students ages 14–18. Jazz II for students who play an instrument but have little to no experience in jazz, and Jazz I for students who are advancing in their jazz and improvisation skills. 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, saxophonists and brass players 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, vocalist 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/. Registration for HYS Jazz usually begins in early July.

24 | December 15 ❄ JAZZ

Celebrating our 60th season!

HYS Administration & Staff Veronica Cox Librarian, Nānākuli Music4Kids Teacher

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eronica 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 Hawai‘i 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

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riginally 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.

❄ Rachel Schultz Chief Operating Officer

R

achel Schultz brings over a decade of dedicated leadership in music education and community engagement to Hawai‘i Youth Symphony. She joined HYS in July 2024 as its Chief Operating Officer; a newly created role in which she oversees the areas of operational leadership and administration, human resources and staffing, and financial management.

A highly organized professional with a strong work ethic, Rachel blends experience from both the arts/non-profit and commercial/for-profit sectors. Rachel moved to Toledo as a founding member of the Toledo Symphony School of Music (TSSM) in September 2009. From 2010 to 2024, she served in various capacities: piano faculty member, TSSM Director, Director of Education and Community Engagement for the Toledo Symphony, and eventually, as Vice President of Education and Community Engagement for the Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA).

A self-motivated leader, Rachel is skilled in identifying and implementing program improvements while streamlining processes. In fall 2018, she was one of 12 orchestra professionals chosen to participate in the Emerging Leaders Program of the League of American Orchestras. During this time, she also played a role in the merger negotiations between the Toledo Symphony and Toledo Ballet, resulting in the formation of TAPA. As the head of TAPA’s education initiatives, Rachel oversaw education, engagement, and outreach programs for the Toledo Symphony, Toledo Ballet, TSSM, and Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestras. Programs of pride include the innovative Noisy Library Program, Plastic Band Project, Introduction to the Orchestra: A STEAM Experience for Head Start students, work within the Juvenile Court system, and TAPA in the Parks, the first community engagement program of TAPA to feature both music and dance components.

2024 Winter Concert Series

HYS ADMINISTRATION | 25

Prior to her time in Toledo, Rachel was a faculty member at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Bowling Green State University, the Preucil School of Music in Iowa City, and the Music Settlement in Cleveland, Ohio, where she served as interim director of the Suzuki Program. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Dalcroze Eurhythmics, a Master of Music, and a Professional Studies Certificate in Collaborative Piano, all from the Cleveland Institute of Music. She has also received extensive training in the Suzuki approach to music education.

Rachel’s drive for change and innovation has strengthened organizational stability and enhanced community impact throughout her career.

❄ Lauren Sergent Operations Manager

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auren 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, Oahu Choral Society, and Windward Choral Society. Committed to promoting youth engagement in music, she has previously made impactful contributions working for Drum Corps International. Outside of HYS, Lauren is a massage therapist with advanced training in treatment and self-care for common musicians’ injuries.

❄ Hannah Watanabe Programs Director

H

annah Watanabe works for the Hawai‘i Youth Symphony as Programs Director. She served as the conductor for HYS’s Concert Orchestra from 2006–2023, and conducted the Beginning & Intermediate String Ensembles for the Academy Program from 2024–2025. 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 Hawai‘i 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 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, to 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 instruments in an orchestra. 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 (NAfME), Hawai‘i Music Educators Association (HMEA), American String Teachers Association (ASTA), and the Hawaii Chapter of the American String Teachers Association (HASTA) where she serves as Webmaster on the board for HASTA.

26 | HYS ADMINISTRATION

Celebrating our 60th season!

Randy Wong President & CEO

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orn and raised in Hawai‘i, Randy Wong is a distinctive voice in arts administration and musical communities. He is among the first of a new generation of orchestra executive directors who bring a unique perspective as alumni of their own youth orchestras, as well as being a professional musician and educator.

As the President & CEO of Hawai‘i Youth Symphony (and a proud alumnus), Randy passionately champions its strategic vision of a Hawai‘i where Music Is A Right. This vision was recognized in 2023 by the international business magazine Fast Company in its list of Best Workplaces for Innovators, and was given top honors in the category of 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. Outside of classical music, he champions ’marginalized’ music, in genres such as Exotica and Open Flow Jazz. His best known side project (which he co-founded with fellow HYS alumnus Abe Lagrimas Jr.) is The WAITIKI 7, an Exotica septet that has been profiled by the LA Times, Boston Globe, NPR Morning Edition, Global Village, Mother Jones, Giant Robot, The Feast (NBC); has performed with orchestras, in Berlin at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt, and at Halekulani’s House Without A Key. His other side project—the free jazz trio Red Nova—was featured in the Odesa (Ukraine) Jazz Festival, and was nominated for a Nā Hōkū Hanohano award for its debut album Presence of Mind.

In his free time, Randy gives back, serving as Vice Chair for the League of American Orchestras’ Youth Orchestra Division, volunteering as a mentor for first-generation college students in ‘A‘ali‘i Mentoring, and co-chairing the State Foundation on Culture & the Arts’ ARTS FIRST Committee on Advocacy.

Randy is also an alumnus 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, a performance degree (with honors, and a Concentration in Music-in-Education) from New England Conservatory, and is one of just a handful of Certified Fund-Raising Executives in the state of Hawai‘i.

2024 Winter Concert Series

HYS ADMINISTRATION | 27

Mahalo to Our Donors

Hawai‘i Youth Symphony deeply appreciates these contributions made between January 1, 2024, and October 29, 2024; thank you for helping us to work towards a Hawaiʻi where music is a right! We apologize if we’ve made any accidental errors or omissions; please let us know by emailing our development team: development@hiyouthsymphony.org.

CONDUCTORS CIRCLE $50,000 and above Carnegie Hall (PlayUSA) City and County of Honolulu PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE $10,000 to $49,999 Aaron & Erica Mau-Schank Action Realty Corporation Alika & Tanya Mau ALTRES, Inc. First Hawaiian Bank Foundation George Mason Fund of the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation Ginny Tiu Gov. Ben & Vicky Cayetano Hawaiʻi Community Foundation Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra Halekulani Corporation Island Insurance Jean & Kent Tsukamoto Jean and William K. H. Mau Foundation Lauren Yoo Kosasa Foundation / ABC Stores Richard & Susan Ing Serendipity II Fund of the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation Stephen & Gloria Gainsley The Al Sherman Foundation The Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation The Vilcek Foundation Thomas & Mi Kosasa 28 | DONORS

ANGEL $5,000 to 9,999 Avalon Commercial, LLC Jillson Fleener Johnson Ohana Foundation Pacific Property Group, Inc. RMA Architects Inc. Robin Kobayashi & Kenneth Fink Steven & Marilyn Katzman Taylor-White Charitable Fund The Resort Group BENEFACTOR $2,500 to $4,999 Anonymous Alan Arizumi Aloha United Way American Resort Development Association Collin Hoo

David & Nicole Imanaka Foodland Super Market, Ltd. Honolulu Chamber Music Series Randy Wong & Dr. Helen Liu The Dods Foundation PATRON $1,000 to $2,499 Anonymous Becker Communications, Inc. Carlton Gushiken Chelsea Maeda-Wiegand D'Addario Foundation Daniel & Linda Momohara Daniel & Mia Kim David & Nicole Imanaka Gaylord & Carol Wilcox HDG, INC. Janet Cooke Jason Tokunaga

Celebrating our 60th season!

Kerry Kim Lauren Yoo Lorrin Hirano LPL Financial Malcolm S. Koga Martin Hsia, Esq. Masaki School of Music Pikake Foundation Richard & Susan Ing Roselle Chin Takumi Family Fund U.S. Charitable Gift Trust Wilfred Miyasaki Yan Yang Gao SPONSOR $500 to $999 Anonymous Beth Tamayose & Ron Siu Bill Holowecki Chris & Jadine Nielsen Foodland Give Aloha FundDevelopment Group George I. Nagao Hawaii Chamber Music Festival Jaewon Choi Jean McIntosh John Noland Justin V. Redona Karen Stockton Maureen Shimabuku Michael & Amy Onofrietti 2024 Winter Concert Series

Monica Chan Schwab Charitable Fund Stephen Ko Steven and Izumi Rhee Thomas Shigeta Wade Nobuhara Wendy Umino Yi-Chuan Ching PARTNER $250 to $499 Anonymous Autumn Woods & Barney Brennan Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund Brenda Tang Cori Mackie Craigside Retirement Residence Daniel Chun David and Annette Jackson David Masunaga David Miyasaki Dennis K. Toyama Elizabeth Hale Esther Cartoon Hyunjong Koo Ignace & Christine Jang James Lin James Sakata Joe Stepec

Joseph Conyers Kathleen (Kay) Mattos Laurene Taira Leah Chun Mark Verrey Marvin Taba Maylani Chang Milton Liu Miyeko S. Hashimoto R. Dougal Crowe Robert E. Black Fund of the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation Ruth Oshiro Sandi Kwee Todd Seeber Velma C. Akinaka Vivien Tham William E. Seehafer CONTRIBUTOR $100 to $249 Anonymous Alfred E. Makino Allen Won America's Charities Andrea Snyder April K.Y. Leong Barbara J. Cargill Bob Fissell Brian & Tammy Walther Burr McCutcheon & Claire Arakaki DONORS | 29

Byron Kelly Carol Aki Carol S. Heape Cheryl Kojima Chester J. Malins Cyrinthia Decker Deanna Oda Dennis Kohara Dennis W. Randall Diana Choy DJ Wong Doris Ogawa Dr. Mohamed Wong Edward Masunaga Elaine Chang Elton Masaki Ernest Hanaumi Eugenia W. Ng Fidelity Charitable Frances E. Oshita Frank Hook Frederick Harris Fumiko Wellington Gary Batungbacal Hannah Watanabe Helen K. Higa Henry Miyamura Henry Tokunaga Iris Huang James F. Moffitt James S. Howard Jean Toma

30 | DONORS

Jennie Lau Joan Carlson Joanne Na Jodi Goh John & Jane Houk John and Carol Lynch Jonathan Cabagbag Jonathan Wung Jonn Saruwatari Josephine Kaiser Joyce Wong Jung Nam Lee Karyn Komatsu Kathyrnn Raymond Kay J. Newnam Kendrick Y. Au Kenneth Sumiye Kent Koike Kevin Yamasaki Kirk Shitaoka Kurtis Im Lance Oba Lauren Chun Lealei Magat-Hino Leo Nakano Leslie Baxter Eaton Lila Yee Louise Y. Wong Marc Isobe Meredith and Norma Maeda Michael Hee

Mike Kobayashi Mildred E. Uegawachi Ming Peng Nancy K. Sonoda Nina Hayashi Noe Baladad Noel Okimoto One Kalakaua Senior Living Owen & Carol Fukumoto Paula Ho Phyllis Wong Robert & Pat Peters Robert Shinoda Robin Chun Hunter Robyn Fong Rochelle Uchibori Sara Lin Shinnyo-En Hawaiʻi Stella Anderson Su-Jie (Nam) Hong Suellen Barton Suji Cho Tamae Shiraishi Tammi Okamura Tom and Maria Stepec Van M. Goto Velma Lee William T. Oshima Yumiko Ueda Yuxuan Yang

Celebrating our 60th season!

Robert Boruchowitz Robyn Weber Rosanna Lucero Ruby Arii Shinogu Sato Susan Imai Sylvia Flores Thu Nguyen

FRIEND (Up to $99) Anonymous Aileen Gushiken Alan Nakasone Barry and Wendy Kikuno Brent F. Ramos C. Mike Kido Calvin Fujikawa Christina Hines Christine Ewing Claire Sakai-Hazzard Clifford Okumoto David Y. Cho Dennis Higashiguchi Diane Morimoto Doris S. Oshiro Dustin Ebesu E. Richard Bartosik Evan Dobelle Gail Maida Gerald Young Gladys H. Young Glenn Fernandez Gregg Abe Harold M. Chang James Moffitt James K. Michishima Jason Poplin Jean Adair-Leland Jeffrey Mishler Jerry Ono Joni Freitas 2024 Winter Concert Series

Julia Fujioka Jungsheng Lee Kaimana Lui-Kwan Kenneth H. Burtness Kenneth Hashi Kevin Sumida Kimberly Schneider Lauren Sergent Leah Lee Lily Chu Lloyd Lim Lynn Hokama Mary Ellen E. Williams Mary Lou Chai Michelle N. Ige Nelson Lau Patti Horio Philip Brown Pledgeling Foundation Rachel Odo Rafael Borges Amaral

Tributes In Honor of Dean K. Taba

by Noel Okimoto

by Robert Shinoda In Honor of Mari Kohara

by Dennis Kohara In Honor of Gray Nauwelaerts

by Joan Carlson In Honor of Jake Shimabukuro

by Anonymous In Honor of Kenton Chan

by Monica Chan In Honor of Kyle Ehara

by Kenneth Sumiye In Honor of Sophie Kaiser

by Josephine Kaiser In Honor of The Class of 2024

by Randy Wong & Helen Liu In Honor of Randy Wong

by Rochelle Uchibori In Memory of Gladys Hirano

by Kathrynn Raymond

by Randy Wong & Helen Liu In Memory of Geoffrey Au

by Kendrick Y. Au

by Randy Wong & Helen Liu

DONORS | 31

EVERYTHING FOR THE ARTS

WWW.HAL EKU L A NI .COM 32 | DONORS

@ H A LE KU L A N I H OT E L Celebrating our 60th season!