CELEBRATING OUR 60TH SEASON OF MUSIC MAKING
The start of our 2024-2025 season marks 60 years of music making for Hawaii Youth Symphony! Established as a non-profit in 1964, HYS was incorporated to provide for the enrichment and cultivation of the mind and spirit of the youth of our community through music and musical activity. Its founders had witnessed the power of music and its impact on the confidence and development of younger generations.
“Hawaii Youth Symphony’s current success is a reflection of the dedication and commitment of not just the current staff, students and supporters, but so many others who have come before us,” said Maestro Joseph Stepec. “People like Maestro Henry Miyamura knew just how much of an impact an organization like HYS would have on the lives of our keiki, and worked tirelessly to make its vision a reality.”
As HYS director from 1984-2017, Miyamura inspired hundreds of students as HYS music director and conductor of Youth Symphony I. He established a high standard of excellence for HYS, putting our organization on the map alongside the finest youth symphonies in the country.
“Music can change lives—it changed mine,” said Maestro Henry Miyamura, in an interview reflecting on 33 years with HYS. “When I went to high school, I was going to be a potential dropout. If it wasn’t for music and the band director at McKinley High School, I would not have been able to go to college.”
We also acknowledge and express our deepest gratitude for the contributions of former directors Maestro Peter Mesrobian, who served from 19611980, and Maestro Grant Okamura, who served from 1979-1985. In our 59th season, we served 680 students from 107 schools across four islands. Join us throughout 2024 and 2025 as we celebrate 60 years of artistic excellence, recognizing the leaders, partners and others who helped us get here.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
In the poem “Garden Music,” from The Moon Before Morning, W. S. Merwin reflects on how “a few notes echo many years.” As Hawaii Youth Symphony celebrates its 60th Anniversary, this sentiment resonates warmly and resolutely with me, as I look towards the year ahead, in which Hawaii Youth Symphony is celebrating its diamond jubilee, our 60th Anniversary Season.
For six decades, HYS has been a third space—a home away from home— where youth from across the islands find solace, learn, and make lifelong friends through music. Under the guidance and tutelage of renowned artists and educators, they also make lifelong friends. They cultivate excellence, passion, and courage that propel them through life’s many stages.
Truly, “a few notes echo many years.”
I thank everyone who has helped HYS reach this milestone and supported our youth in their musical journeys and beyond. As an HYS alumnus, I can attest to the dedication and passion that young musicians invest in their craft, inspiring our community to support their dreams.
Please join us at our Nā Mele Gala on November 10th, or at one of our concerts this season, as we celebrate our young musicians and their bright futures.
Sincerely,
RANDY WONG President & CEO, HYS ‘99
MAHALO TO THE VILCEK FOUNDATION
Thanks to the support of the Vilcek Foundation, students had the opportunity to perform with and be inspired by the six-time Grammy nominee and 18-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano award recipient, Amy Hānaialiʻi, in a special concert at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center on President’s Day. “To see this Youth Symphony which is absolutely fantastic, the spark in their eyes – their musicianship is so good,” said Amy. “They’re so disciplined and I love to see that at such a young age.”
“When we decided on this program, we wanted to choose music that was really exciting and had a lot of meaning to the people of Maui,” said Symphony Program Director Joseph Stepec. “We asked Amy Hānaialiʻi, who is a wonderful friend and an incredible artist, to perform because she is from the island, and we wanted to showcase her talent and share her artistry with her home base.”
While HYS had been focused on the importance of access, the concert prompted further conversations about the need to promote the excellence seen through all levels of programs. As a result, we are developing a new “Dream Courageously” video to be premiered at this year’s Nā Mele. The support of the Vilcek Foundation has created a ripple effect of support throughout the organization, inspiring others to create a positive impact for students in the same way.
HYS PARTNERS RECOGNIZED FOR EXCEPTIONAL WORK
We are grateful to partner with other organizations that care deeply about our mission and demonstrate excellence in their respective industries. We are thrilled to announce that two of our partners have received prestrigious awards for their expertise in communicating HYS’s social impact.
Becker Communications, Inc. received a Koa Hammer from the Public Relations Society of America, Hawaiʻi Chapter, for HYS’s printed newsletter.
Vibe Creative Marketing received three 2024 Communicator Awards, recognizing their exceptional work on HYS’s social media, email newsletters and blog.
Vibe Creative Marketing Team
Becker Communications, Inc. Team
HAWAI‘I SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
2024 NĀ HŌKŪ ʻŌPIO “YOUNG STARS”
Congratulations to Hawaii Youth Symphony ’24 alumni Luke Watanabe and Shane Komeiji for winning Hawaii Symphony Orchestra’s 2024 Nā Hōkū ʻŌpio “Young Stars” competition! Every year, high school seniors compete for a chance to play solo repertoire on stage with the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra.
Luke and Shane were both featured as soloists in July’s HSO Sheraton Starlight Festival at the Waikiki Shell. Flutist Shane played Albert Franz Doppler’s Fantasie Pastorale Hongroise, Op. 26 on July 21, and Trombonist Luke played Launy Grøndahl’s Concerto for Trombone on July 25.
Luke Watanabe Shane Komeiji
Shane Komeiji performing with HSO under the direction of Maestro Dane Lam
Luke Watanabe performing with HSO during their Sheraton Starlight Festival this summer
WE
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
PARTNERS HELP TO BUILD A BRANCH FOR CHAMBER MUSIC
Many schools across the state have terrific large ensemble music programs dedicated to teaching students how to play symphony music, while less than a handful have chamber music programs that teach them how to play in small ensembles. As students advance in their musical journey, it is important to expose them to different styles of playing to ensure their growth and versatility as a performers.
To fill the current gap in chamber music instruction, HYS has partnered with Honolulu Chamber Music Series and Chamber Music Hawaiʻi to create a chamber music branch within its Symphony program. This new pilot program, offered at no additional cost to students, will help to expand instruction by offering opportunities to play in both an orchestra and chamber ensemble.
With support and instructors from the Honolulu Chamber Music Series and Chamber Music Hawaiʻi, the program will begin in the 2024-2025 HYS season for students in Youth Symphony I, Youth Symphony II and Concert Orchestra.
HONOLULU CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES
“Music can help us better grasp human interaction. Chamber music develops trust in one another, and coaches are there to offer students a nurturing environment to communicate freely, verbally and musically,” said Honolulu Chamber Music Series and HYS Faculty Member Ignace Jang. “HCMS, in partnership with HYS, giving such opportunities to students from all walks of life is what I am most thankful for.”
For nearly 70 years, Honolulu Chamber Music Series has brought top-flight international ensembles to perform on O‘ahu. They offer adult and youth audiences the opportunity to hear, fall in love with, and savor the heights and depths of chamber music.
Learn more about the Honolulu Chamber Music Series
CHAMBER MUSIC HAWAI‘I
“At Chamber Music Hawai‘i, our motto is ‘Chamber Music Matters.’ It’s important because it allows us to preserve centuries-old traditions while also exploring new possibilities for what classical music can achieve today,” said Chamber Music Hawaiʻi General Manager and HYS Faculty Member Christopher Cabrera. “The smaller group size offers a level of intimacy and collaboration that larger ensembles simply can’t replicate.”
Chamber Music Hawai‘i was founded in 1982 and is the state’s leading presenter of local, professional chamber musicians. CMH presents resident, professional ensemble concerts and free educational programs in various venues each year, statewide.
Learn more about Chamber Music Hawaiʻi
Above: HYS string ensemble performs at Halekulani for free community concert
Left: Iggy Jang provides instruction during Pacific Music Institute
WE ENVISION A HAWAI
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
Hannah Watanabe, Programs Director
Lauren Sergent, Operations Manager
Brent Ramos, Office Receptionist
Cyrinthia Decker, Development Coordinator
SYMPHONY PROGRAM
Joseph Stepec, Director & Conductor (YSI)
Elton Masaki, Conductor (YSII)
Susan Ochi-Onishi, Conductor (YSII)
Wayne Fanning, Conductor (CO)
ACADEMY STRING PROGRAM
Jeff Hamano, Summer Strings
Stefanie Lawton, BSE
Michael Lim, Conductor (SOE & CSO)
Brent Ramos, Coordinator
Carissa Miyamoto, BSE & ISE
Sayuri Yamamoto, BSE
Laurie Shimabukuro, Super Strings
JAZZ PROGRAM
Dean Taba, Director
Ryan Howe, Conductor
Noel Okimoto, Conductor
PACIFIC MUSIC INSTITUTE
Jeremy Lawi, General Manager
Joseph Stepec, Artistic Director
Ignace Jang, Solo & String Quartet
Dean Taba, Jazz
Richard Scerbo, Director of NOI+F
MUSIC IN THE CLUBHOUSE & COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
Veronica Cox, Music4Kids – Nānākuli
Daniel Kawaiʻaeʻa Shaver, Nānākuli Strings
Abe Lagrimas Jr., Music4Kids – Honolulu
denotes HYS Alumni
STAFF SPOTLIGHTS
Our team is growing! In preparation to serve more students than ever before, we have welcomed two new administrative staff and six new instructors to the Hawaii Youth Symphony ohana. Additionally, we are thrilled to announce the promotion of longtime team member and HYS alumna Hannah Watanabe.
RACHEL SCHULTZ, Chief Operating Officer
With over 20 years of experience in arts education and executive leadership, Rachel provides fresh perspectives and energy as we carry out our mission. She will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership of personnel, financial management and other administrative operations.
HANNAH WATANABE, Programs Director Hannah continues to excel on her journey with HYS. In this new role, she will oversee the operations team as well as the Academy, Clubhouse and Community branches of HYS programming, while continuing to provide administrative support for the Symphony and Jazz programs.
This season, we are also joined by six new instructors whose talents will support the musical education of keiki participating in our Music in the Clubhouse initiative and Academy String Program:
Veronica Cox Music4Kids – Nānākuli
Stefanie Lawton Beginning String Ensemble
Daniel Kawaiʻaeʻa Shaver Nānākuli Strings
Carissa Miyamoto Beginning & Intermediate String Ensemble
Abe Lagrimas Jr. Music4Kids – Honolulu
Sayuri Yamamoto
Hawaii Youth Symphony Association
1350 South King Street, Suite 201
Honolulu, HI 96814
NĀ MELE 2024
Mark your calendars! Hawaii Youth Symphony will host its annual He Makana O Nā Mele fundraiser on Sunday, November 10, at the Halekulani Hotel. Festivities include a Sunset Cocktail Hour that may be enjoyed as a stand-alone reception or as part of the larger gala experience with an intimate dining experience with live performances by Youth Symphony I and world-renowned slack key and hula duo, Keola and Moanalani Beamer, to follow. All proceeds from ticket sales and the silent auction will be used to advance our mission of fostering fun and creative experiences for youth.
