Hawaii Youth Symphony Association 1110 University Avenue, Suite 200 Honolulu, Hawaii 96826-1598
HYS Alumni Continue Growth as World-Class Professionals
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Established in the same year as Hawaii Youth Symphony (1964), the U.S Presidential Scholars Program honors graduating seniors who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, and contribution to school and community. In 2016, Punahou School students Michael Chen and Eileen Liu, and Mililani High School student Joseph Fujinami, were selected for the 52nd class of U.S. Presidential Scholars— three of only 160 high school seniors nationwide. These tremendous Hawaii representatives were also together in Youth Symphony! As graduation season approaches once more, HYS checks in with the honorees:
Summer 2021 Newsletter | Special Senior Edition
A violinist, Joseph was a member of HYS for 10 years. He was selected as Concertmaster for the 2015-16 season, and played alongside world-renowned violinist Midori during her HYS residency. Joseph notes that music helped to expand his world view and appreciation for culture abroad. Following studies at the Architectural Association in London, Joseph is now an architect at the prestigious international firm, BIG—Bjarke Ingels Group—in Copenhagen. He enjoys continuing the violin with the University of Copenhagen Symphony Orchestra. Reflecting on his HYS experience, Joseph said, “I really enjoyed time together with friends on our neighbor island trips. We had so many wonderful conversations and fun backstage at our concerts.”
Michael Chen performing Rhapsody in Blue with YSI
HYS Graduates Reach Out as Ambassadors to Kūpuna Generating good will in the community and providing a memorable experience for both Hawaii Youth Symphony graduates and kupuna, HYS developed a “Senior to Senior” care package to help bring the joy of music to senior day centers and care homes across Hawaii. Joseph Fujinami as YSI Concertmaster
Friendships formed through HYS also stand out for Michael, particularly when he played clarinet with YSI accompanying his friend and pianist, Yun Chang, in a breathtaking performance of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” Currently a student at the Stanford University School of Medicine, Michael shares that music was a big part of his life growing up—whether through HYS, school ensembles, or listening to “Young Artist in Residence” on NPR each morning. “These avenues of music provided me with many role models, from whom I learned how the intermingling of hard work, teamwork, and self-expression can create beautiful music.”
HYS Students packed boxes for delivery to kupuna
Volunteers from the HYS graduating class helped assemble the packages and wrote letters to the seniors. These good will messages accompanied DVDs featuring HYS performances, information on how care communities can connect with more performances online, and assorted goodies. Graduates with a personal connection to certain communities or residents hand delivered the packages. Additionally, HYS connected with Hongwanji community centers thoughout the state. These moving gestures connecting generations left a memorable impression on everyone involved. As a special mahalo to HYS, one community in Kapolei was inspired to donate lei for all the HYS 2021 seniors, providing over 60 lei handmade by the kupuna. HYS looks forward to a return to bringing live music to these wonderful communities in the near future.
Preparing for concerts taught Eileen healthy habits and how to communicate with others. Small mishaps, like a broken string or a gust of wind sweeping sheet music off the stands, underscored the importance of adapting and of staying confident in her own skills. One of her fondest HYS memories involved a young child from the audience of a Listen & Learn concert coming to the stage to conduct the symphony. Said Eileen, “Seeing them gradually relax and grow comfortable on stage while connecting with the music filled me with joy, and reminded me why I love to play.” Currently working as a health manager at an internal medicine office in Hawaii, Eileen will attend Boston University School of Medicine next year. When asked about HYS’ vision to Make Music A Right, she poignantly noted, “Whether it be the chirping of birds in the morning or a child’s lullaby at night, we are all born into music. We should all have a right to produce and understand it.”
Care home residents enjoyed special gifts from HYS
Eileen Liu performing with YSI
In-Person Learning Makes Return
HYS Na Mele Receives Award of Excellence! Hawaii Youth Symphony has been honored with the Communicator Awards’ highest recognition in the Film/Video Fundraising category. The Award of Excellence was presented for our Na Mele 2020 televised and streamed production, developed in partnership with Hawaii News Now, Hawaii Tourism Japan, and many wonderful sponsors and supporters. Mahalo to our HYS students, faculty, staff and board for their creativity and collective efforts in creating this award-winning event!
Kupuna at Ilima at Leihano donated more than 60 handmade lei to HYS seniors
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Hawaii Youth Symphony recently welcomed back our first students to our hybrid learning program. This approach has been thoughtfully developed with the health of all students and faculty in mind. While our virtual opportunities have created an even larger Hawaii Youth Symphony community, our students and faculty were thrilled to once again play and listen to live music. HYS is grateful to the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts for graciously permitting temporary use of Honolulu Hale as a majestic rehearsal space.
L to R: Justin Sato, Raiden Bernal & Tyler Kam (perc ensemble made up of class of 2021 percussionist)