PACIFIC MUSIC INSTITUTE REACHES ANOTHER MELODIOUS MILESTONE
In July, we held our 35th annual Pacific Music Institute (PMI)! Over the past three decades, this nine-day summer program has grown to serve over 300 students annually and offer programs for all instruments and levels. Throughout the music intensive, keiki grades 6-12 had opportunities to learn from and play with top artist faculty leading PMI’s Strings Program, Winds, Brass, and Percussion Program, Jazz Intensive, ʻUkulele Workshop, and PMI Middle School All-State Band.
Students demonstrated their newly-acquired skills in a series of concerts on July 11, 12 and 13. To close out this year’s events, the PMI Symphony Orchestra joined the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra in a Side-by-Side concert at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall. Thanks to the generosity of our and HSO’s supporters, the inaugural PMI Side-by-Side was open and free to the public.
As PMI continues to expand and evolve, we are thankful for our volunteers, staff, donors, and friends whose contributions help us to create a lasting impact on every student we serve.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
At Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony, we believe music is a right. As a Hawaiʻi centric arts organization, we understand it is our kuleana to inspire the youth of our islands and create an environment where art can flourish. Our Pacific Music Institute is an example of these beliefs in action. It is a place where young people from across Hawaiʻi and beyond gather, not only to refine their craft, but to form lasting friendships, develop confidence, and discover new dimensions of themselves.
This year marked PMI’s 35th anniversary, and I couldn’t be prouder of what this milestone represents: HYS’s success in creating a vibrant, inclusive community that believes in music as a powerful force for growth, joy, and connection.
As you’ll read in this issue, PMI is so much more than just a music program. It’s a place where our vision, “Music is a Right,” comes alive in deeply meaningful ways. Mahalo for believing in our work and in the next generation of artists, citizens, and changemakers we have the honor of serving.
We hope to see everyone again next year!
– RANDY WONG
THE MAESTRO FUND IN HONOR OF THE PACIFIC MUSIC INSTITUTE
In recognition of PMI’s 35th anniversary and the visionaries who helped pave the way, we’ve established The Maestro Fund in Honor of the Pacific Music Institute. Donations to The Maestro Fund support our inclusive and welcoming community, where every student is encouraged to cultivate their personal excellence in music and keiki across Hawaiʻi and beyond can dream courageously, be inspired, grow together, and have fun.
DONATE TO THE MAESTRO FUND
PARTNERING WITH A PURPOSE
HYS is fortunate to have the dedicated support of various partners, who help to ensure an exceptional experience for all participants. Each collaborator understands the importance of music in our communities and is committed to making arts education more accessible to all.
Mahalo to our partners:
Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra for the incredible Side-bySide opportunity, and the National Orchestral Institute + Festival, whose members provided incredible learning and performance opportunities for our students;
The Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii for welcoming our teaching fellows into their Oʻahu and Kauaʻi clubhouses to provide valuable music education with their keiki, for a unique and impactful teaching experience;
ʻIolani School for opening their facilities to us for workshops, sectionals, rehearsals and concerts; and
Halekulani and Halepuna for providing accommodations for our traveling faculty, and Hawaiʻi Pacific University, for our dorming Neighbor Island students.
Their support is crucial to our mission and allows us to serve more students. We are incredibly thankful for their collaboration and investment in our future generations.
BOARD & STAFF
HYS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chair Erica Mau-Schank
Vice Chair Lauren Yoo
Secretary Lorrin Hirano, Esq.
Treasurer Richard Ing
Directors
Ben Gutierrez
Sharon R. Himeno
Martin Hsia, Esq.
David Imanaka, Esq.
Collin Hoo
Robin Kobayashi, Esq.
Malcolm Lau
Michael Onofrietti
Aaron Salā
Jake Shimabukuro
Jean Tsukamoto
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Randy Wong, President & CEO
Rachel Shultz, Chief Operating Officer
Hannah Watanabe, Programs Manager
Wailani Kontic, Philanthropy and Outreach Manager
Lauren Sergent, Operations Manager
Brent Ramos, Office Receptionist
Mckenzee Espiritu, Music Librarian
‘Alohi Igarta, Academy Strings Program Coordinator
PACIFIC MUSIC INSTITUTE
Jeremy Lawi, General Manager
Mackenzie Kwong, PMI Admissions Assistant
Joseph Stepec, Artistic Director
Ignace Jang, Solo & String Quartet
Dean Taba, Jazz Intensive
Richard Scerbo, Orchestral Learning Alliance
PMI STRINGS & SYMPHONY
Aris Doike
Kathy Hafner
Andrew Kam
Parry Karp
Dr. Clara Kim
Michael Lim
Dr. Helen Liu
Zoe Martin-Doike
Sorah Myung
Duane Padilla
Alexander Peña
Vicky Wang
Sayuri Yamamoto
PMI WINDS, BRASS AND PERCUSSION PROGRAM
Ellen Breakfield-Glick
Betsy Bright
Christopher Cabrera
Gabe Cruz
Dr. Alex Hayashi
David Hirano
Dr. Shuo Li
Marie Lickwar
Joseph Nakamoto
Ellie Rose
Christopher Smith
PMI JAZZ INTENSIVE
Curtis Abe
DeShannon Higa
Jim Howard
Noel Okimoto
Robert Shinoda
Darryl Pelligrini
Dean Taba
Steve Treseler
Allen Won
PMI UKULELE WORKSHOP
Craig Chee
Sarah Maisel
PMI MIDDLE SCHOOL ALL-STATE BAND
Wayne Fanning
denotes HYS Alumni
COMING FULL CIRCLE
by Faith Youn, PMI 2025 Intern
Growing up, I always joked that I would never pursue music professionally. Little did I know, I’d end up heading into my third year as a violin performance major, and truly, it’s largely thanks to the experiences and community I found through PMI.
I first came to PMI in 2019 as a reserved, freshly graduated middle schooler visiting from New Jersey, and returned in 2022 and 2023 as my interest in music shifted from just an extracurricular to something I genuinely looked forward to. Through learning chamber works in SSQ and orchestral repertoire in the PMI Symphony, I began to find confidence in my playing and a love for collaboration both within and beyond music.
Returning to PMI this summer as an intern gave me a fuller perspective and appreciation for the work that brings the mission alive. From coordinating daily logistics to documenting moments during outreach events at Boys and Girls Clubs and senior homes, I got to see how PMI brings together a diverse, intergenerational community—a reminder that music is a bridge, connecting cultures, generations, and people in a way few other things can.
My time at PMI has helped me realize that precision and artistry is only a small part of what makes a great performance resonate: it’s about the people it reaches and the stories it’s able to tell. At PMI, we’re taught to embrace growth and lead with empathy, curiosity, and the joy that brought us all here in the first place. I feel incredibly grateful to have had the chance to grow within that kind of community, and proud to contribute to the work that continues to shape so many young musicians.
MORE THAN MUSIC: THE EXTENDED BENEFITS OF PMI
While PMI is primarily focused on building skills in music and performance, its impact extends way beyond a student’s instrument. Participants also learn about time management, teamwork, and independence, which is especially true for those from neighbor islands, the continent, and beyond.
“PMI has encouraged Mathayus to build connections, find common interests with other students, and help develop valuable life skills such as teamwork, discipline and time management,” said Erlie May Scherling, mother of PMI participant Mathayus Scherling
For many, attending PMI on Oʻahu was their first time away from home, without their parents. It provided a taste of what some will go on to experience in the future, teaching them how to manage themselves and adapt to change as
they encounter new opportunities throughout the rest of their lives.
“There are only a few music programs here on Molokaʻi, so having the opportunity to participate in PMI on Oʻahu gives Mathayus the chance to see what else is out there. Other students should attend PMI for the music education, experience and the opportunity to build relationships with peers and mentors,” added Erlie May.
HALEKULANI – A HERO TO HYS
Halekulani has been a longtime supporter of the arts through its philanthropy to organizations like HYS. It supports our initiatives like PMI by providing outstanding accommodations to faculty coming from other states, allowing students to receive instruction from top artist faculty across the nation.
Additionally, the hotel has hosted HYS’s annual He Makana O Nā Mele (The Gift of Music) gala and several Cozy Concerts at its iconic Lewers Lounge. Cozy Concerts are intimate fundraisers featuring performances by HYS Jazz students and faculty, which seek to raise funds for PMI. The last event was held in February, with another scheduled for January.
We extend our warmest mahalo to Halekulani, who take our programs to the next level and whose impact in the arts community is felt by musicians and audiences in Hawaiʻi and across the world.
OLA’S LIVELY SPIRIT FOSTERS KEIKI & KŪPUNA
The National Orchestral Institute + Festival (NOI+F) is a program of the University of Maryland’s Clarice Presents, that brings aspiring orchestral musicians, conductors, composers and arts administrators from across the country for a month of dynamic music-making and professional exploration. These talented individuals are selected through a rigorous audition process, with many on their way to a professional career in music.
In 2018, HYS partnered with NOI+F to create the Orchestral Learning Alliance (OLA). Since its establishment, OLA has brought 24 NOI+F musicians to the islands to provide valuable mentorship for over 500 HYS students. What started as a collaboration exclusively offered during PMI has since expanded to support various HYS programs throughout the year.
During PMI 2025, the NOI+F teaching fellows not only helped participants to sharpen their skills through workshops, but also conducted intergenerational community outreach with visits to ʻIlima at Leihano, a senior living facility in Kapolei, where they met with Memory Care Unit specialists, learned about how music improves lives and outcomes for patients, met with residents and gave a performance. Several residents even remarked how the OLA performers’ music helped them to remember and relax! They also performed for BGCH Clubhouses in Nānākuli, Lihuʻe, and Kapaʻa. Mahalo to our OLA Teaching Fellows for all their efforts, which model for our keiki how to dream big, work hard, and give back.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OLA
