Spring Newsletter 2023

MANY NOTES MAKE BEAUTIFUL MELODIES

In line with its vision to make music a right, Hawaii Youth Symphony has made accessibility a top priority to ensure students from all schools and walks of life have the chance to receive a high-quality music education. This year, HYS has participants from 90+ public, private, home and online schools across the state, reflecting the broad community we serve. Similar to the way many notes come together to create a beautiful melody, every student brings a unique story along with their individual talents to form exceptional ensembles that make incredible music.

growth of all musicians—beginning to advanced— teaching them valuable life skills including time management, teamwork and determination.

“One lesson I’ve learned from HYS is perseverance,” said Iris Sim, Punahou School senior and Youth Symphony I flutist. “The music we play is always really challenging, but we are always able to get through it as individuals and as a team.”

“I was very excited to be back in-person because I missed the community of HYS,” said Erika Kwee, Punahou School senior and Youth Symphony I concertmaster. “HYS does a great job of bringing young musicians from different schools together. It was great to finally rehearse with other students because there is something special about creating music with other people.”

While some students join HYS in elementary school, others join in their junior or senior year of high school. HYS meets participants where they are to help them reach their full potential in music and in life. Our wide spectrum of programs supports the

Through HYS’s expansion over time, we have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of music. For many students, music has opened the doors to new opportunities and helped pave the way to a successful future. As we reflect on this past season and prepare for the next, we recognize the importance of serving students of all backgrounds and will continue growing our programs to promote diversity and accessibility for all.

“Coming back to HYS has allowed me to make more friends and take advantage of opportunities that I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise,” said Juan Fangon, Kailua High School senior and Youth Symphony I trumpeter. “Music is kind of a gift for me. Before starting on a musical instrument, I didn’t really think much about what I wanted to do after high school. Now, after I graduate, I am planning to major in music education and I want to become a band teacher.”

“HYS does a great job of bringing young musicians from different schools together.”

– ERIKA KWEE

HAWAII YOUTH SYMPHONY | SPRING 2023 NEWSLETTER

PRESIDENT’S

MESSAGE BOARD MEMBER PROFILE

Collaborations play a key role in the success of any organization. For Hawaii Youth Symphony, they have allowed us to serve a greater number of individuals, provided a platform to show the public what we do, encouraged others to support us, and afforded countless opportunities for our students to become the best musicians—and people—they can be.

Throughout the years, we have had the privilege of working with passionate and likeminded individuals and organizations who believe, too, that music should be a right. With their continued support, HYS continues to grow and adapt to the needs of those we serve.

In this newsletter, we’ll look at how Consolidated Theatres, Palolo Elementary School and City Mill are enabling us to expand our reach even further. As you read, we hope you are inspired by the power of partnership. We encourage you to join us as we work together to make music accessible for all of Hawaii’s young people.

– RANDY WONG

Hawaii Youth Symphony’s Board of Directors supports the organization’s mission through high-level oversight and guidance, and is comprised of individuals from various backgrounds, who believe in making music a right. We are excited to introduce its newest member, Lauren Yoo, vice president of The Aja Group.

Lauren’s relationship with Hawaii Youth Symphony began many years before she joined its Board of Directors in January 2023. She was a cellist in high school and participated in HYS. At the time, the program mostly consisted of students from Punahou, Iolani, Mid Pacific Institute and Kamehameha, making her one of the few participants from a public school.

“Music has been an integral part of my life from a young age and I am truly honored to have the opportunity to use my experience to promote and help build the Pacific Music Institute into one of the top international music camps for teens,” said Lauren. “I give my deepest gratitude to Hawaii Youth Symphony for making music education happen for me, a teen that would not otherwise have had a chance to participate in such a wonderful opportunity.”

Lauren also serves on the Board of Directors for Palama Settlement, Entrepreneurs’ Organization – Hawaii, and McKinley High School Foundation. She takes great pride in giving back to the community in which she lives and supporting the leaders of tomorrow.

ALOHA CONCERT RETURNS

Join us for a day of music and community with the return of our annual Aloha Concert Luncheon on Sunday, May 7, 2023. From 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., enjoy performances by Youth Symphony I and Youth Symphony II, with guest artist and Kaneohe-born singer, Kathleen Stuart, performing as our special guest artist. Help us recognize our hardworking and talented seniors as they prepare to step into a new chapter of life.

The luncheon fundraiser will be held at the Hawaii Convention Center, marking the first in-person celebration since 2019.

SUMMER & SYMPHONY PROGRAMS

Summer Enrichment

Embark on a musical journey with Hawaii Youth Symphony’s upcoming summer programs. Summer Strings and Super Strings are open to students ages 8 and up, and no experience or audition is required. The Pacific Music Institute, open to most instruments, is designed for intermediate and advanced students grades 6 through 12 (however beginning students are welcome to participate in the Ukulele Workshop). The rigorous music camp environment gives students an opportunity to learn from distinguished faculty through engaging workshops and clinics.

To ensure programs are accessible to all, HYS has made financial aid and scholarships available for qualified families which may be used to cover travel, accommodation, and program costs. Visit our website to learn more.

Symphony Program Auditions for the

2023-2024

Season

For the first time in three years, Hawaii Youth Symphony will hold in-person auditions for its symphony program ensembles. Students

wishing to participate in Concert Orchestra, Youth Symphony II and Youth Symphony I can register and download the audition music online beginning April 17.

“We are thrilled to be holding auditions in person once again as it will allow us to fully experience each student’s musical ability—something we could never fully capture in a self-taped recording,” said Joe Stepec, director of orchestral activities for HYS. “The traditional in-person audition process also helps students to improve their stress and time management skills, stage presence, independence and confidence, all things that will come in handy as they move forward on their journeys in music and life.”

To broaden the community HYS serves, a Neighbor Island audition tour will be held at the end of May across Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island, making auditions accessible to keiki throughout the state without the burden of traveling. HYS creates programs available to all of Hawaii’s young people, regardless of location and economic circumstance, through travel grants and financial aid.

Auditions are a crucial first step for the Symphony Program, as they allow us to determine the best learning environment for each student. We wish all participants good luck as they prepare, and look forward to hearing everyone at auditions next month!

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Making Beats with Buckets at Pālolo Elementary School

Upon learning about the desire for music education in Pālolo Valley, HYS worked with school administrators to create the Pālolo Pākeke Ensemble. The bucket drumming class for fourth graders is led by HYS faculty member and Hawaii Symphony Orchestra percussionist Chris Cabrera. During these classes, students receive beginning percussion instruction on buckets that have been generously donated by City Mill.

“Music education is all about learning how to learn. That’s it. The vehicle by which music educators teach is one that is fun and enjoyable for many children, but the process of learning is universal,” said Cabrera. “If a student can learn how to play their drum rudiments or musical scales, they can learn how to code or paint.”

Bucket drumming provides keiki with a creative outlet and a basic understanding of rhythm and musicality. Building this foundation for students at an early age opens the door to a variety of exciting music and non-music-related opportunities in the future. Over the past 24 weeks, participants have enjoyed expressing themselves through sound and are eager to learn more.

“Art is important in education because it motivates the students to think outside the box and expand their horizons. It teaches them to express openness, to connect and communicate with others, while building character and selfesteem,” said Pālolo Elementary School Parent Community Network Coordinator, Henrietta Clemons. “Art encourages the students to become proficient learners and excel. It inspires the students to achieve their goals, whatever they may be, and to never give up.”

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair Patti Look

Vice Chair Sharon R. Himeno

Secretary Erica Mau-Schank

Treasurer Richard Ing (Interim)

Directors

Lorrin Hirano

Collin Hoo

Martin Hsia

David Imanaka

Richard K. Ing

Malcolm Lau

Michael Onofrietti

STAFF SPOTLIGHTS

Aaron J. Salā

Geoffrey S. Sewell, M.D.

Jake Shimabukuro

Jean Tsukamoto

Mary Ellen Williams

Lauren Yoo

PRESIDENT, RANDY WONG

ADMINISTRATION

Operations Manager Carissa Miyamoto

Programs Manager Hannah Watanabe

Development Coordinator Cyrinthia Richards

Receptionist Brent Ramos

SYMPHONY PROGRAM

Wayne Fanning, Conductor (CO)

Elton Masaki, Conductor (YSII)

Susan Ochi-Onishi, Conductor (YSII)

Joseph Stepec, Director & Conductor (YSI)

Hannah Watanabe, Conductor (CO)

ACADEMY STRING PROGRAM

Michael Lim, Conductor (BSE & SOE)

Brent Ramos, Coordinator

Chad Uyehara, Director & Conductor (ISE & CSO)

JAZZ PROGRAM

Ryan Howe, Conductor

Noel Okimoto, Conductor

Dean Taba, Director

PACIFIC MUSIC INSTITUTE

Kassi Hatakenaka, Admissions Coordinator

Ignace Jang, Solo & String Quartet

Jeremy Lawi, General Manager

Joseph Stepec, Artistic Director

Dean Taba, Jazz

MUSIC IN THE CLUBHOUSE & COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

Chris Cabrera, Palolo Percussion Ensemble & Music4Kids

Yuseon Nam, Nanakuli Violin Class

Laurie Shimabukuro, Super Strings

None of the work we do as an organization would be possible without passionate people to support our vital behindthe-scenes operations. We’ve recently had some exciting updated and also expanded our HYS ‘Ohana. We’re pleased to introduce our library team and the newest members of our office team.

Carissa Miyamoto Operations Manager

Brent Ramos Office Receptionist & Academy Coordinator

Cyrinthia Richards Development Coordinator

Dean Taba Music Librarian

Manny Hobro Music Librarian

Brandy Shinoda Assistant Music Librarian

Library Team

Kassi Hatakenaka PMI Admissions Coordinator

Office Team

Hawaii Youth Symphony Association

1350 South King Street, Suite 201

Honolulu, HI 96814

NĀ MELE-THON

On March 26, we partnered with Consolidated Theatres to host a Nā Mele marathon for our family, friends and supporters. Attendees gathered at the Consolidated Theatres Ward location to watch the inspiring evolution of our 2020, 2021 and 2022 Nā Mele television specials on Honolulu’s biggest movie screen with state-of-the-art sound. The setting perfectly celebrated the magnitude of the performances across the series—from guest artists, friends in Japan, and our HYS symphony programs, jazz ensembles, Music in the Clubhouse and more.

We enjoyed an afternoon of music, fellowship and camaraderie as we collectively recognized the phenomenal work of our students, faculty, and staff. Beyond our Nā Mele guests, general theatregoers were also enticed by the festivities. Many stopped in after their movies to hear more about what HYS is doing, with the event inspiring new donors and merchandise sales.

Mahalo to Consolidated Theatres for helping us put on a spectacular event!