Hawaii Youth Symphony
OF NOTE June 2016
Hawaii Youth Symphony Alumni Now Preparing the Next Generation of Musicians and Leaders
T
he gift of music must be shared with others. Many HYS alumni are doing just that. They are now teaching music in public and private schools throughout Hawaii as band and orchestra directors, inspiring the next generation of musicians. Many of them are accomplished teachers today because of their early, positive experiences with HYS. We reached out to several alumni whose careers mirror HYS’s mission: to advance the critical and positive links between music study, academic achievement, and social and emotional development. The following are excerpts from their responses. What is one of the most valuable life-lessons you learned from being a part of the Hawaii Youth Symphony? Derek Fujio: “Without a doubt, the single most important lesson I learned from participating in the Hawaii Youth Symphony was the pursuit of excellence. In every step of the process — preparing for an audition, starting out in Concert Orchestra, working my way up through the different groups, and finally arriving at Youth Symphony I with Mr. Henry Miyamura— we were always taught and expected to not only do the best we could, but
to continually strive to do better the next time. It didn’t matter which orchestra you were in or what school you came from — when you came to Youth Symphony, all of the students were there for the singular purpose of creating the best music we possibly could.” Craig Young: “I was most fortunate to work under the directorship of Peter Mesrobian. Through him, I learned that mediocrity was not an option. Striving for excellence through disciplined preparation and awareness of (continued on page 4)
Clockwise: Craig Young, a 1970 Iolani graduate who was an HYS Concertmaster and is now Orchestra Director at Punahou School; Kristi Kusunoki, a 2001 Maui High School graduate who played the clarinet in HYS, and is now the Band Director at Kailua Intermediate School; Derek Fujio, a Mid-Pacific 2000 graduate who played the oboe in HYS and is now Music Department Head at Kaimuki Middle School; Ira Wong, an 1980 Castle High School graduate who was a percussionist in HYS and has recently completed his 21st year as Director of Bands at University Lab School; and Jeremy Lawi, a 2007 Iolani School graduate who played percussion in HYS and is now the Band Director at Mid-Pacific institute.