Mahalo to everyone who joined us for the 34th Annual Pacific Music Institute from July 6-14! Nearly 300 youth participated in our ensemble programs and related PMI activities, including a record number of neighbor island students; a tremendous success. We had five programs for string, wind, percussion, brass and ‘ukulele students led by a faculty of over 30 worldclass musicians. Participants received high-level instruction and opportunities to sharpen their skills with workshops, rehearsals, sectionals, performances and one-on-one coaching.
“PMI is about more than just music,” said PMI General Manager Jeremy Lawi. “It provides students, throughout the entire state and beyond, with unique opportunities and experiences that help them to grow as people and succeed—both in and out of the rehearsal room. It’s inspiring to see a diverse student body come together, form new friendships, and perform music at such a high level.”
HAWAII
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
What does a Hawai‘i where Music Is A Right look like? One answer: The Pacific Music Institute. This year’s PMI was truly inspiring and a reflection of what we hope to accomplish across the state in the future.
We were honored to receive support for this year’s PMI from the National Endowment for the Arts, Halekulani Corporation, First Hawaiian Bank Foundation and ARDA Hawaii. The strength and conviction evidenced by our community partners give us the courage and ambition to continue to push the envelope to build brighter futures for our young people.
By attending this year’s PMI, these students showcased a passion for music that encourages them to be their best selves, not only as artists but as members of their communities. Our students learned from world-renowned artist faculty who joined us from across the nation, and had opportunities to develop lifelong relationships with other students.
During PMI week, the benefits of music filled the air across our community: from concerts to demonstrations to workshops in Honolulu, Nānākuli and on Moloka‘i.
We hope that as you read the stories of this year’s PMI, you’ll see that it is a microcosm of our mission. It is through programs like PMI, that we are able to foster fun and creative experiences for youth that inspire a deep appreciation for music and lifelong relationships within the culture of our islands.
We are so grateful to our staff, visiting faculty, PMI families and of course, YOU, for your support. It is because of our extended HYS family that we are able to create such a special experience like PMI and can continue to work toward a Hawai‘i where Music Is A Right.
– RANDY WONG
MAHALO TO OUR DONORS
We extend our deepest mahalo to our incredible sponsors, whose generous contributions have allowed us to serve more keiki in more impactful ways.
First Hawaiian Bank Foundation reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to supporting the arts by helping HYS provide a summer program for young musicians to learn, perform, and meet peers who are equally enthusiastic about music; Halekulani provided top accommodations for faculty, bringing in exceptional educators and musicians from all over the world to teach our young musicians here in Hawai‘i; the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) helped to cover financial aid for students from Title I schools, giving more keiki the opportunity to attend our summer program; and lastly, Pagoda Hotel donated accommodations in support of PMI’s community outreach programming.
Each one of our sponsors played an instrumental role in the success of this year’s event. Their continued support is what allows us to improve and expand our programs every year as we work to fulfill our mission and realize our vision.
BRIDGING THE ISLANDS WITH MUSIC
Hawaii Youth Symphony continues to increase access to music education across the entire state throughout the summer months. HYS also provides financial aid and travel reimbursements for students residing on neighbor islands to attend, ensuring all keiki receive access to the same highquality music instuction—regardless of where they live.
“It’s very welcoming,” said Middle School AllState Band participant and Hawai‘i Island resident Emmerson Ayat. “It was cool to learn from other band directors and their way of teaching. I’d only practiced in separate groups before, so PMI was the first time I had the opportunity to play altogether as a full group.”
This year, 18 students from Hawai‘i Island, Maui, Moloka‘i, and Kaua‘i traveled to O‘ahu to participate in PMI’s String, Middle School All-State Band, Wind Ensemble, and Symphony Orchestra programs. Several students dormed at the EastWest Center on the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus. In addition to housing, accommodations included three meals a day, transportation to and from PMI programs and chaperones.
“My mom told me about it,” said Middle School All-State Band participant and Hawai‘i Island resident Andrew Arceo. “I’ve never been in a real orchestra before, so I wanted to see how it felt. I’ve been inspired to learn new skills and play at a higher level than I was before.”
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
National Endowment for the Arts
In July 2024, Hawaii Youth Symphony received a $50,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) through their “Grants for Arts Projects” program. A portion of the funds has been used to support financial aid, staffing and operating costs for Pacific Music Institute. The grant has allowed HYS to keep costs low for all students while providing scholarships for those who otherwise may not have been able to attend. Later this season, PMI’s Orchestral Learning Alliance teaching fellows will join Youth Symphony I on a concert tour to Maui, and perform additional outreach while visiting.
“Projects like Hawaii Youth Symphony’s Pacific Music Institute and neighbor island concert tours exemplify the creativity and care with which communities are telling their stories, creating connection, and responding to challenges and opportunities in their communities—all through the arts,” said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. “So many aspects of our communities such as cultural vitality, health and wellbeing, infrastructure,
and the economy are advanced and improved through investments in art and design, and the National Endowment for the Arts is committed to ensuring people across the country benefit.”
The NEA has awarded over $37 million in direct support for organizations that enrich the arts and cultural ecosystems in the U.S. Mahalo to the NEA for supporting our vision of a Hawai‘i where Music Is A Right!
THE UPLIFTING IMPACTS OF SUMMER LEARNING
by Jessica Nelson
Summer activities can make a huge difference for young children and adolescents alike, and that’s why we make music yearround! There is a phenomenon sometimes known as “summer slide,” in which students experience academic and social setbacks over the summer that may have longterm impacts on their learning and development.
Without daily or weekly music classes like those provided throughout the school year, it is easy to regress. A summer music program keeps students moving forward with music and engages their brains, supporting cognitive and academic development. Summer activities of any kind can be extremely effective in combating summer boredom and keeping teens out of trouble. Even if it’s only for a few hours a day, having some structure helps students stay focused.
In music specifically, it’s important for students to play with others and work with a qualified mentor. Self-practice over the summer is great, but can also lead to bad habits. Without playing in a group setting or receiving instruction from a teacher, students may be practicing wrong over and over, which can be difficult to overcome. Participating in a structured music program affords students the opportunity to work with different teachers than they work with throughout the school year, sometimes with a higher teacher to student ratio than they may get at school. Every teacher brings their own unique style of teaching and experience, so you never know when you’ll meet the teacher who will change your life!
Scan QR code to read the full blog
ORCHESTRAL LEARNING ALLIANCE SPOTLIGHT
Starting in 2019, HYS partnered with the University of Maryland’s National Orchestral Institute + Festival (NOI+F) to create the Orchestral Learning Alliance (OLA). The collaboration brings NOI+F participants, who are orchestral performers on the threshold of a professional career, and NOI+F faculty to Hawai‘i to teach the young musicians at PMI and bring music further into under-resourced communities.
“It’s thrilling to see the evolution of the OLA program. Now in our sixth year of partnership, we’re able to see PMI students graduate from high school, succeed as collegiate musicians and have a pathway to return home to teach and inspire the next generation of Hawai‘i’s youth,” says HYS President & CEO Randy Wong, himself an alumnus of HYS, PMI, and NOI+F. “With the challenges of Hawai‘i’s ‘brain drain’ all too common, the OLA partnership takes on even more meaning for the advancement and future of orchestral music in our island home.”
This year, PMI hosted two OLA teaching fellows: Tristan Toma (HYS ’22, percussion), and Daniel
Scoggins (cello) and OLA faculty Markus Osterlund (HYS ’13, horn) and Ryan Toher (clarinet).
“As a former PMI student from 2019, it felt like coming home, reconnecting with the institution and its community in a new role,” said OLA Teaching Fellow Tristan Toma. “Returning to teach was filled with a mix of excitement, nostalgia, and the pressure to inspire and guide new students. It was incredibly rewarding to see them overcome challenges and build confidence in their abilities.”
The partnership benefits PMI students through opportunities to play with and learn from successful, professional orchestral musicians. In return, the OLA teaching fellows receive valuable teaching experience that will allow them to advance in their future careers as professional musicians.
A ‘SUBLIME’ FACULTY CONCERT
The PMI faculty performed a truly outstanding chamber music concert, showcasing their virtuosity and collaboration. The concert, expertly curated by PMI Artistic Director Joseph Stepec, featured faculty across all programs, and beautifully highlighted the musical talents among our faculty team, a testament to the unifying power of music.
The repertoire was colorful, diverse, and inclusive, starting with an ‘ukulele ensemble arrangement of “Sunny Side of The Street,” and progressing onward with an arrangement for cello quartet of Richard Wagner’s “Feierliches Stuck” from Lohengrin. We were treated to mixed duos for flute and other instruments, string quartet movements by Florence Price, Béla Bartók, and Antonín Dvořák, tangos by Heitor VillaLobos and Eduard Pütz, a woodwind trio by modern composer Alyssa Morris, and popular music by Billy Strayhorn, Coldplay, and Pharrell Williams. The concert concluded with two dozen faculty taking part in large group improvisation: a ‘sound-painting,’ led by Jazz Intensive instructor Steve Treseler
“Watching the PMI faculty concert is one of my favorite times of the year,” said Randy Wong. “Their performances always bring a fresh perspective to the musical landscape; such a treat for our students, families, and community to attend. It’s an honor to have this level of artistry at PMI—their talents transcend reality. Absolutely sublime!”
STUDENTS TO SENIORS: STRINGING GENERATIONS TOGETHER
The community was invited to take in the beauty of music from talented student string quartets throughout a series of free concerts on July 11. Mentored by Ignace “Iggy” Jang and a roster of 15 renowned artist faculty members, quartets from the Pacific Music Institute’s Solo & String Quartet Program were composed of students in grades 7-12 representing 23 public, private, and home schools across Hawaiʻi, California, and Washington.
String quartets were simultaneously deployed to Downtown Art Center in Chinatown’s historic Arts District, the Halekulani Living Room in Waikīkī, and to senior living and care communities across O‘ahu including 15 Craigside, One Kalākaua, and Kāhala Nui. This day of outreach organically
‘UKULELE
embodied an ongoing HYS effort to connect students, and community members of all generations, through enriching and inspiring musical experiences.
“The purpose of our community concerts was to show our gratitude towards all who have impacted our lives—from our kumu to our kūpuna. The SSQ Chamber Music program, combined with Freestyle and Orchestra, develops teamwork and confidence,” said SSQ Director Iggy Jang. “Under the guidance of our wonderful faculty, students learn how to navigate on their own to achieve excellence. Earning the trust of our students is the genesis, and the appreciation and dedication they show in return is inspiring.”
WORKSHOP
RETURNS TO PMI
This year, we were incredibly fortunate to be joined by a few new instructors including local ‘ukulele power couple—Craig Chee and Sarah Maisel! The two ‘Ukulele Workshop instructors brought their knowledge from over two decades of performing and teaching internationally back to Hawaiʻi to share with the students of PMI.
“For me it is a full circle moment. I grew up in Hawaii Youth Symphony playing the cello,” said ‘ukulele instructor Craig Chee. “For the last 15 years, Sarah and I have been lucky enough to travel the world teaching and performing the ‘ukulele, so to be able to bring all of that experience and knowledge to this program is really exciting.”
Participants learned about picking and strumming with opportunities to mix and match different techniques to create their own sound. Each class has been recorded, allowing students to review sessions—even now that PMI is finished. When the program concluded on July 14, students also got to demonstrate their progress in a special community performance.
“Most of our group had played [‘ukulele] for one year or less, so it was incredible to see so many of them pick up the instrument and really thrive as musicians. We pushed our students past their comfort zones and they all accepted the challenge,” said Maisel. “I find that kind of passion for music and willingness to push themselves very inspiring. I loved giving the students opportunities to express themselves, and this was showcased during their performance as each student soloed. Seeing their smiles and eyes light up as the crowd cheered them on is something that I will always cherish.”
BRAVO, MAESTRO STEPEC!
A hearty congratulations to our passionate Maestro Joseph Stepec, who embraced a dynamic 2019 with Hawaii Youth Symphony when he simultaneously was appointed as the Director of Orchestral Activities, Artistic Director for Pacific Music Institute, and Conductor of Youth Symphony I. In the five years since, “Epic Stepec,” as he’s affectionately known by his students, has been tirelessly advancing the mission and vision of HYS, and the impact of PMI.
Maestro Stepec’s decisive, swift pivot to Zoom at the start of the pandemic led to a comprehensive curriculum for HYS+ and PMI+, and an E-Festival to showcase student performances. As in-person opportunities resumed, he guided the Symphony Program from warehouse rehearsals to socially-distanced chamber orchestras, and from our televised Na Mele broadcasts to last season’s impressive Side-by-Sides with the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra. His resolve for mentorship and artistic excellence is evidenced year-round, by the coaches he integrates in rehearsals, by our impressive PMI faculty and OLA partnership, repertoire selection, and more.
Shares HYS board member Jake Shimabukuro, “Joe’s talent and professionalism have prepared local students to perform with recording artists like myself, Amy Hānaiali‘ i, Raiatea Helm and others. In working with the students of HYS, I am always blown away by their passion and caliber. This speaks to their character and dedication, and also to Joe’s ability to inspire, encourage, support and teach young musicians.”
In addition to all he does for the HYS community, Joe is Associate Professor of Music at University of Hawaiʻi, and Music Director of the University of Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra. Through his talents, thoughtful guidance and genuine care for community, he is a daily inspiration to hundreds of young musicians statewide. The prestigious Pacific Business News will recognize Joe and his many contributions at its 25th Annual 40 Under 40 celebration on August 29.
“Joe brings to our organization not only his incredible musicianship, conducting, and teaching abilities, but also a deep understanding of our core values. He creates an atmosphere in rehearsals that balances the seriousness and detail work of orchestral study with having fun,” said HYS President and CEO Randy Wong. “This like-mindedness resonates well with our students and team, and allows HYS to further our impact more deeply than we could have ever imagined. Mahalo and congratulations, Joe!”
BOARD & STAFF
HYS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chair Erica Mau-Schank
Vice Chair Lauren Yoo
Secretary Lorrin Hirano, Esq.
Treasurer Collin Hoo
Directors
Sharon R. Himeno
Martin Hsia, Esq.
David Imanaka, Esq.
Richard Ing
Patti Look
Malcolm Lau
Michael Onofrietti
Aaron Salā
Jake Shimabukuro
Jean Tsukamoto
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Randy Wong, President & CEO
Rachel Schultz, Chief Operating Officer
Carmela Resuma, Director of Development
Hannah Watanabe, Programs Director
Lauren Sergent, Operations Manager
Brent Ramos, Office Receptionist & Academy Coordinator
Veronica Cox, Music Librarian
Cyrinthia Decker, Development Coordinator & PMI Housing Coordinator
