HYS Newsletter: Class of 2024 Edition

ALOHA CONCERT LUNCHEON

On May 5, Hawaii Youth Symphony presented its annual Aloha Concert Luncheon at Sheraton Waikiki showcasing performances by Youth Symphony I, Youth Symphony II, Jazz I and Jazz II. We were joined by special guest Amy Hānaialiʻi, who graced us with her presence yet again— following a successful concert at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center in February.

“I just think that their musicianship is so good. They’re so disciplined and I love to see that at such a young age,” said Amy. “They’re at a very heightened level in their careers, moving into the next level playing with symphonies all around the world.”

During the event, we also recognized a class of 64 graduating seniors for their dedication and growth throughout their time in HYS. Some started their journey with HYS back in elementary, while others started just last year. No matter when they joined, each student is an excellent example of what can be accomplished when we provide our keiki with the right opportunities and resources.

“I believe that these past few years in HYS have truly helped me develop both my musical abilities and character,” said Brady Schultz, a Youth Symphony I percussionist from Roosevelt High School. “Besides

practicing music in rehearsal, I have also practiced taking initiative, having a voice and supporting those around me. While I have a variety of interests, I will continue music in college and apply everything I have learned here.”

The Aloha Concert Luncheon, like other concert programs, are supported by the generosity of donors and concert goers. Mahalo to all who continue to support for making these impactful experiences possible for our students.

Congratulations to the Class of 2024!

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE COLLEGES & SCHOLARSHIPS

As we close out this season and prepare for the next, I would like to start out by saying how proud I am of all we have accomplished the past few months. We’ve been able to cultivate an incredible community of individuals, who truly believe in the power of music and its ability to change the world.

Over the years, I have been so fortunate to witness the ways in which music has changed the lives of thousands of keiki across the islands—myself included. While music was the primary guide along my educational journey and career, we hope that wherever our students end up and no matter what they pursue, they will continue to draw from their HYS experience. Not every student will continue playing their instrument after graduation, but they’ll carry the lessons they’ve learned and friendships they’ve made with them for the rest of their lives.

This month, we bid farewell to 64 spectacular seniors — our biggest graduating class yet! This group of students has demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the years and I want to congratulate them on this achievement, surpassing all expectations in some of the most challenging circumstances. On behalf of the entire team at HYS, I also want to thank our partners, parents, donors and audiences for showing our students just how much you support them.

It takes a village, and we’ve got a great one. Congratulations to the class of 2024!

As our seniors reach the end of their journeys as students in HYS, they will begin new adventures at more than 15 different educational institutions across the nation, studying a variety of topics, including music, engineering, education, public health and more. They have acquired a total of nearly $1 million in scholarships and financial aid. We look forward to seeing all they achieve in the coming years and encourage them to keep in touch by emailing admin@hiyouthsymphony.org

INTERNATIONAL MUSICIAN MAGAZINE FEATURE

HYS alumnus Abe Lagrimas, Jr. (2001) was featured in the cover story of International Musician’s May 2024 issue. Abe was a member of Youth Symphony II, attended the Berklee College of Music and went on to become an illustrious performer. He has taught in our Pacific Music Institute and Jazz programs, and even performed in our recent Jazz Side-by-Side and Cozy Concert. The article recounts his local roots, education, career and musical journey. Congratulations on this spectacular honor, Abe!

Scan the QR code to read the full story

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Orvis Foundation

Back in February, the Orvis Foundation announced its partnership with Hawaii Youth Symphony in presenting the 2024 Orvis HYS Soloist Concerto Competition. The event provides opportunities for young musicians to perform as individuals, unlocking their potential and encouraging them to strive for excellence. This year’s winner was flautist Shane Komeiji, a senior at Punahou School.

“Ever since I can remember, I have always wanted to play the flute,” said Shane. “However, I was told that I could not because of the way my lips were shaped. Since then, I have studied with my private instructor, Mrs. Aileen Kawakami, to learn how to play the flute. This concerto competition helped me realize the importance of my genuine passion for the flute. Without it, I would not have persevered to eventually reach this monumental accomplishment.”

Arthur and Mae Zenke Orvis moved to Hawaii in 1956 and developed close bonds with the community to build a legacy that continues to this day. The Orvises were lifelong supporters of the arts, whose philanthropy began in 1960 with a substantial donation to build the Mae Zenke Orvis Auditorium at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Throughout the years, their generosity continued, fostering a vibrant cultural landscape that delivers innovative, high quality performances and arts education to the community.

“HYS exemplifies the ideals that Arthur and Mae Orvis wished to promote: a commitment to excellence, high-quality musicianship and exciting performances for our community,” said The Orvis Foundation Board President John Gibbons. “We congratulate flautist Shane Komeiji for his outstanding achievement, a testament to exceptional aptitude as well as years of dedication and hard work. We also recognize his family, schools and music instructors for their support of his endeavors.”

The Orvises’ philanthropy in Hawaii began in 1960, when they donated funds to build the Mae Zenke Orvis Auditorium on the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa ins an important concert venue. Over the years, the Orvises’

The Orvises’s legacy continues through their Foundation, which supports many of Hawaii’s finest arts organizations, including the Hawaii Opera Theater, Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, UH Mānoa Music Department, Honolulu Chamber Music

The Orvis Foundation and HYS share a similar vision in which Hawaii is a leader in artistic innovation, where everyone has the opportunity to learn and partake in creating music and other forms of art. The organization supports many of Hawaii’s finest arts organizations including the Hawaii Opera Theater, Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, UH Mānoa Music Department, Honolulu Museum of Art and more.

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

Hannah Watanabe, Programs Director

Lauren Sergent, Operations Manager

Brent Ramos, Office Receptionist

Cyrinthia Decker, Development Coordinator

SYMPHONY PROGRAM

Wayne Fanning, Conductor (CO)

Elton Masaki, Conductor (YSII)

Susan Ochi-Onishi, Conductor (YSII)

Joseph Stepec, Director & Conductor (YSI)

ACADEMY STRING PROGRAM

Michael Lim, Conductor (SOE & CSO)

Brent Ramos, Coordinator

Hannah Watanabe, Conductor (BSE & ISE)

JAZZ PROGRAM

Ryan Howe, Conductor

Noel Okimoto, Conductor

Dean Taba, Director

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

Chris Cabrera, Palolo Percussion Ensemble & Music4Kids

Yuseon Nam, Nanakuli Violin Class

Laurie Shimabukuro, Super Strings

Support our ongoing programs with a donation today!

CONGRATULATIONS , CLASS OF 2024!

Jasmine Addison Trumpet McKinley High School

Ian Ahn Cello Punahou School

Sage Andrews Oboe Kailua High School

Ahren Awong Trombone Pearl City High School

Jordan Buenaventura Percussion Aiea High School

Aleena Bendzius Cello Roosevelt High School

Dena Brennan Flute Le Jardin Academy

Dawson Chan Trumpet Kalani High School

Michael Chan Cello Mililani High School

Cielle Charron Bass Kalani High School

Narissa Chen Violin Punahou School

Travis Chen Percussion Hawaii Baptist Academy

Zachary Choi Trumpet Kalani High School

Mana Chun Viola Roosevelt High School

Gabriel Cole Horn Moanalua High School

Xinyi (Alice) Dai Flute Sacred Hearts Academy

Rylie Ann Hashizume Viola Moanalua High School

Duke (Derek) Katayama Horn Kalani High School

Marley (Paula) Kong-Mercado Oboe ‘Iolani School

Hannah Emrani Horn McKinley High School

Parker Hursty Horn ‘Iolani School

Kara Kim Violin Kalani High School

Misa Kuroyanagi Bassoon Kaiser High School

McKenzee Espiritu Horn Castle High School

Cassidy Ibanez Cello Mililani High School

Mie Kodama Viola ‘Iolani School

Keanna Lau Violin Mid-Pacific Institute

Brycen Fabro Violin Mililani High School

Shane Komeiji Flute Punahou School

Eugene Lee Cello Roosevelt High School

Grace Kawaoka Clarinet University Lab School

Henry Lee Violin Maryknoll School

CONGRATULATIONS , CLASS OF 2024!

Joel Lee Trumpet Kalani High School

Alexis Molina Oboe Mililani High School

Aimee Okagawa Bassoon ‘Iolani School

Alexa Sasaki Percussion Pearl City High School

Brenna Lewis Violin Homeschool

Cody Nakagawa Violin Moanalua High School

Emi Okumoto Violin ‘Iolani School

Manami Sato Violin Kalani High School

Daniel Li Tuba Kalani High School

Kainani Nitz Bassoon Kailua High School

Jayden Retutal Bassoon McKinley High School

Brady Schultz Percussion Roosevelt High School

David Mansfield Viola Moanalua High School

Zachary Oh Trombone Aiea High School

Zoe Sagadraca Viola Mililani High School

Kyle Siu Oboe Hawaii Baptist Academy

HONOR-A-SENIOR DONATIONS

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Leanne So Clarinet Kalani High School

Belise Swartwood Violin Mililani High School

Kyli Taketa Percussion McKinley High School

Alicia Tangonan Clarinet Kalani High School

Natalia Tangonan Violin Kalani High School

Noelani Velasco Flute Leeward Community College

Jason Vierra Cello Moanalua High School

Chelsea Song Horn McKinley High School

Chelsea Takushi Clarinet Moanalua High School

Brandon Tran Trombone Kalani High School

Luke Watanabe Trombone Kalani High School

Elizabeth Swan Viola Homeschool

Caleb Tamargo Horn Kalani High School

Alex Tripp Drum Set Punahou School

Felicia Yang Violin Punahou School

Oki Trading

Randy Wong & Helen Liu Wong

Hawaii Youth Symphony Staff