Music for Maui in collaboration with Hālau Hula Lani Ola
Sunday, February 4, 2024 | 3 PM Soka Performing Arts Center at Soka University of America
Music For Maui: Students Supporting Wildfire Relief Efforts
ROSTER Katie Baker............................................................................................................... OCSA ’25 | IM Carleigh Beckner.............................................................................................. OCSA ’26 | CV Hank Braverman.................................................................................................OCSA’26 |PM Darren Brusky .............................................................................................................DJAMS ’28 # *Evan Brusky.................................................................................................... ANHS ‘25 | UG Heather Brusky............................................................................................................ SCSC | UG Olivia Bullock........................................................................................................OCSA ‘26 | CV Aiden Busenberg......................................................................................................DJAMS ‘28 Natalia Campos...........................................................................................OCSA ‘27 | A | UG Natalia Caraveo.................................................................................................. OCSA ‘25 | CV Tiffany Carr.............................................................................................................OCSA ‘26 | CV Cody Chau...............................................................................................................ANHS ‘27 | UG # *Kasey Chau..................................................................................................... ANHS ‘25 | UG Cosi Chekardzhikov.................................................................................... OCSA ‘25 | BRD Trent Chickering............................................................................................... OCSA ‘26 | PM Grant Conroy......................................................................................................... OCSA ‘25 | CV Carter Deck..................................................................................................................... ANHS | UG Sonya Del Real..................................................................................................... ANHS ‘25 | UG Ashwin Desai....................................................................................................... OCSA ‘26 | PM Hayden Ficht..........................................................................................................OCSA ’25 | PD *Caitlin Francisco..............................................................................................OCSA ’25 | PM Gianna Gourley...................................................................................................OCSA ‘27 | MT Jordyn Green......................................................................................................OCSA ’26 | CAH Reese Guenther-Clark..................................................................................OCSA ’27 | CV Evani Gulati...................................................................................................OCSA ’26 | MT | UG Julian Gwin.............................................................................................................. OCSA ’27 | MT *Claire Harmsen............................................................................................... OCSA ’26 | PM Hanna Heger........................................................................................................OCSA ’26 | CW Matthew Henderson..................................................................................... OCSA ‘25 | CV *Zane Herrmann................................................................................................OCSA ’25 | PM Kathy Hertzen................................................................................................................ SCSC | UG Lucy Hunter..........................................................................................................OCSA ‘26 | FTV Sky Keyoung.......................................................................................................... OCSA ’25 | CV # Alyssa Kim..........................................................................................................OCSA ’26 | MT Avni Krishnamoorthy.................................................................................... OCSA ‘26 | PM Emma Ladisky.....................................................................................................OCSA ’26 | MT Elena Lazaron................................................................................................................ SCSC | UG Carina Leo................................................................................................................ ANHS ‘25 | UG David Liu.................................................................................................................OCSA ’26 | CAH *Ayn Liu....................................................................................................................OCSA ’26 | CAH David Liu.................................................................................................................OCSA ’26 | CAH Gabby Lueken...................................................................................................... ANHS ‘25 | UG Liam Majerus......................................................................................................OCSA ‘27 | BRD
ROSTER
ROSTER
# *Sydney Malone.................................................................................. OCSA ’26 | CV | UG Rylee Miyoshi.................................................................................................... OCSA ‘28 | BRD Paige Morgan....................................................................................................... OCSA ‘25 | CV Ella Mortensen.................................................................................................... OCSA ‘25 | CV *Leah Navarro............................................................................................. OCSA ’26 | CV | UG Elysse Nguyen...........................................................................................OCSA ’26 | MT | UG Saya Nishimura................................................................................................... OCSA ’26 | IM Kai Orozco................................................................................................................. OCSA ’26 | JS Alec Ortega-Fosado....................................................................................... OCSA ‘25 | CV Maddie Roy............................................................................................................ ANHS ‘25 | UG Xavier Sáenz......................................................................................................... OCSA ’29 | PM Zaid Salazar.................................................................................................. OCSA ’26 | CV | UG Devon Siberman........................................................................................................ ANHS | UG Nikki Smith.............................................................................................................. OCSA ‘25 | CV *Teresa Smith.......................................................................................................OCSA ’26 | MT *Joey Strauss.................................................................................................................... PCHS ’25 # Adam Strychaz...........................................................................................OCSA ‘26 | CAH Jade Teo.............................................................................................................................. SCSC | UG Heather Torres-Cancino.......................................................................... OCSA ‘26 | BRD Alessandra Venegas...................................................................................OCSA ’26 | CAH # *Sophia Vernon....................................................................................OCSA ’26 | MT | UG Lavinia Watkins...................................................................................................OCSA ‘26 | CV Aniya Wilkins..................................................................................................OCSA ’26 | A | UG # James Williams........................................................................................... OCSA ‘26 | BRD *Jack Wilson........................................................................................................... OCSA ‘25 | CV Paxton Wong................................................................................................OCSA ’25 | CV | UG Cynthia Zhang...................................................................................................OCSA ‘27 | BRD
LEGEND: • ANHS: Aliso Niguel High School • DJAMS: Don Juan Avila Middle School • OCSA: Orange County School of the Arts • PCHS: Pacific Coast High School • SCSC: Sea Country Senior Center
* Soloist # Act Leader
A: Acting | BRD: Ballroom Dance | CAH: Culinary Arts & Hospitality CV: Classical Voice | CW: Creative Writing | DM: Digital Media FTV: Film & Television | IM: Instrumental Music | JS: Jazz Studies MT: Musical Theater| PD: Production & Design | PM: Popular Music UG: Ukulele & Guitar Ensemble | VA: Visual Arts
Music For Maui: Students Supporting Wildfire Relief Efforts
PROGRAM ACT I Measure Me, Sky!
Written by Leonora Speyer (Arr. Elaine Hagenberg) Video: Lucy Hunter OCSA ‘26 | FTV Piano Accompaniment: Lisa Iwaki Section Leaders: Jack Wilson & Sky Keyoung OCSA Classical Voice Choir
Words of Welcome
Sydney Malone, OCSA ‘26 Classical Voice
We Know the Way
Written by Opetaia Foa’i & Lin-Manuel Miranda Music by Opetaia Foa’i (Arr. Roger Emerson) Conductor: Sydney Malone, OCSA ‘26 Classical Voice Soloist #1: Sophia Vernon Soloist #2: Teresa Smith Soloist #3: Carleigh Beckner OCSA Classical Voice and Musical Theater Ensemble
Growing Hope: “Our Leaf” Sponsors Kira Efimenko, OCSA ‘26 Visual Arts
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Written & Lyrics by Yip Harburg Composed by Harold Arlen (Arr. Israel Kamakawiwo’ole) Soloist #1: Olivia Bullock Soloist #2: Tiffany Carr Ukulele & Guitar Ensemble
Lean on Me
Written & Arr. by Bill Withers Soloist #1: Leah Navarro Soloist #2: Evani Gulati Soloist #3: Lavinia Watkins Ukulele & Guitar Ensemble
Count on Me
Written by Bruno Mars, Phillip Lawrence, Ari Levine Soloist #1: Julian Gwinn Soloist #2: Alyssa Kim Soloist #3: Evan Brusky Ukulele & Guitar Ensemble
PROGRAM
PROGRAM Sway It, Hula Girl
Written by Kenneth Makuakane & Loyal Garner Soloist #1: Elysse Nguyen Soloist #2: Aniya Wilkins OCSA Ballroom Dance Choreographer: James Williams
Blue Hawaii
Written by Leo Robin & Ralph Rainier (Arr. Lisa Ono) Soloist #1: Ayn Liu Violinist: Saya Nishimura Music on the Street
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Written by Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson Soloist #1: Caitlin Francisco Soloist #2: Zane Herrmann Music on the Street
We are Family
Written by Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers Soloist: Claire Harmsen
INTERMISSION ACT II Lava Song
Written by James Ford Murphy Video: Caroline Risk Soloist #1: Evan Brusky Soloist #2: Sydney Malone
Hālau Hula Lani Ola
A medley of performances by Wahine, Kaikamahine, and Kane
Ohana Song
Music & Lyrics: Sydney Malone Acc. Matt Akiona, Glenn Alapag, Evan Brusky, Kasey Chau, Joey Strauss Full Cast Cause it’s not just the waves Or that sweet Hawaiian breeze It’s not about cliches It is so much more than these When you come forth with your song Your Ohana surrounds you Pretty soon they’ll sing along Ohana’s found you
Music For Maui: Students Supporting Wildfire Relief Efforts About Music for Maui: Who We Are: Music for Maui is a fundraising group run by students who want to make a difference by using the universal language of music to raise awareness and donations to support Maui wildfire rebuilding efforts. The Challenge: On August 8, 2023, what would be recorded in history as the most deadly fire in the United States since 1918 claimed over 2200 structures, 86% of which were residential. The immediate result was the displacement of approximately 10,000 people. A survey completed by the American Red Cross estimated that over 60% of these homeowners did not have fire insurance. Nearly 6 months later, it is estimated that approximately 6300 people are still displaced and living in temporary shelters and hotels. Our Goal: Music for Maui initiates live music events to create a platform to educate and build awareness of the current and continuing challenges and to raise money to donate to charities that can have an immediate impact on providing mid and long-term housing to the displaced. Our goal is to increase our impact by involving like-minded students to inspire our local community to take action to help. Our Charity: In the early stages, Music for Maui focused on emergency disaster relief. Over $7500 was raised and donated to support the American Red Cross
disaster relief efforts in Lahaina. As time progressed and housing shortages grew, we sought to identify and partner with local, specialized charities. Family Life Center (FLC) is a verified 501c.3 who has specialized in homeless support on Maui for over 40 years. Within weeks of the fire, FLC began work to develop Ohana Hope Village, an 85 unit “pop up” community built on 10 acres of donated land in central Maui. The community is estimated to provide midterm housing to approximately 500 people. 100% of all revenues from the Music for Maui benefit concert will be donated to Family Life Center’s Ohana Hope Village.
FOUNDERS MESSAGE A Message from our Founder, Sydney Malone: As much as this concert is about the journey of Maui and the Music for Maui fundraising group, it’s my own journey - this concert is the soundtrack to my life over the past 6 months. “Measure Me Sky” illustrates how, despite the pain and hopelessness of the fires, we as students have the ability to care for and affect the whole world. This song is especially important to me and the rest of the choir because our first experiences singing this song took place on our international Ireland tour. The line “world oh world, my heart’s span” stands out as one that represents both the love the choir shares, and the way my own heart was affected by the fires. “We Know the Way” is about the forming of our group and how, despite being young, we know the way - through the combination of our own empathy and musical talents. Fun fact, the first non-OCSA connection I made was with ANHS Ukulele Club president Evan Brusky. The songs we play onstage are songs the two of us played together at pop-up fundraising gigs prior to the show, where we were able to raise $10,000! Next, “Hula Girl” is an expression of admiration for Hawaiian culture and the perceived idea of it from the mainland - I see it as a love song to the second act, Hālau Hula Lani Ola. Finally, the Music In the Streets band closes the journey of the first act in an energetic celebration
of how far we’ve all come. The second act is more than just entertainment - it displays the beauty of Hawaiian culture, as preserved by Hālau Hula Lani Ola. At the end, the cast comes back together for “Ohana Song”, a song I wrote about the spirit of Ohana’s effect on my life. My Ohana is the reason I first embarked on this journey, and they are the ones that got me through the ups and downs. Thank you to Soka University for the unending generosity and support; the whole team that has been working so hard to perfect this show out of just genuinely wanting to help. I think you’re all amazing people. Thank you to Ross Chun for connecting me to Soka, and helping me to believe in both myself and in this project. Thank you to all my amazing act leaders, as many of you have gone above and beyond to lighten my load and rally your casts. Thank you to the incredible, hard-working cast for offering up your time and talents to benefit this cause. Thank you to Hālau Hula Lani
Music For Maui: Students Supporting Wildfire Relief Efforts Ola for sharing your dedication to preserving Hawaiian culture. Thank you to Matt Akiona, for giving me the tools with which to make my voice heard, and for always supporting every fleeting passion or interest I’ve had; this one won’t be short lived. Thank you to every other adult who opened doors for me; Pastor Jim, Ben and Carlos at Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church for jumping behind this project no
questions asked, Mr. Hallas and Ms. Iwaki for giving so much time to the creation and perfection of the show, and to my patient, understanding family who has showered love on this project since its humble beginnings. Lastly, thank you all for being here today. I hope that knowing my story will inspire you to join us in taking action to make the world a better place.
About Ohana: The spirit of Ohana, the Hawaiian word for family, emphasizes unity, support, and togetherness. It is inclusive and extends beyond blood relation and makes each of us an uncle, auntie, or cousin. It also reminds us that when one person takes the first step that others will join, and together we can make a significant difference. The story of OHANA is a musical journey that tells of how a teen, faced with tragedy, steps forward to make a difference. Empowered by others joining and supporting her cause, an Ohana is formed. We follow our cast as they showcase their memories, experiences, and impressions of Maui through song, dance, and music, and invite us all into their Ohana! A transition is made as the teens evolve to realize that the rich Hawaiian culture is more than just clichés and presents Kumu (“teacher” in Hawaiian) a flower lei, as a sign of respect, as Hālau Hula Lani Ola take the stage. In our final number “The Ohana Song”, the audience is invited to join in to sing the final chorus as the full cast invites you to join in their journey to educate, build awareness, and support the community of Lahaina as part of their Ohana.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS About Hālau Hula Lani Ola: Hālau Hula Lani Ola is dedicated to the preservation of traditional cultural Hawaiian arts - focusing on dance (hula), music (mele), chants, and `olelo Hawai`i (language). The Hālau’s mission includes education, performances, and other outreach activities. Great pride is taken in sharing and perpetuating Native Hawaiian traditions rooted in the distinct history and heritage of Kumu Hula Puanani Jung, as passed on to her by Masters Kumu Hula Puanani Alama, and Leilai Alama. The Hālau program today highlights favorite mele and hula telling fond tales of our beloved Hawai`i. “Kukui o `alama i ola a mau loa” (“May the torch of protection live evermore.”) Hālau Hula Lani Ola will present a medley of performances by Wahine, Kaikamahine, and Kane. Honoring the resilient culture and spirit of Hawai’i through hula, mele, and traditional Hawaiian implements. Director: Kumu Hula Puanani Jung Musicians: Matt Akiona, Glenn Alapag; Joice Alapag Dancers: Wahine; Kaikamahine; and Kane of Hālau Hula Lani Ola
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SUA BOARD OF TRUSTEES Steve Dunham, JD Chair Vice President and General Counsel Emeritus, Pennsylvania State University | Baltimore, Maryland Tariq Hasan, PhD Vice Chair Chief Executive Officer, SGIUSA | New York, New York Andrea Bartoli, PhD President, Sant’Egidio Foundation for Peace and Dialogue | New York, New York Matilda Buck Benefactor | Los Angeles, California Lawrence E. Carter, Sr, PhD, DD, DH, DRS Dean, Professor of Religion, College Archivist and Curator, Morehouse College | Atlanta, Georgia Andy Firoved CEO, HOTB Software | Irvine, California Jason Goulah, PhD Professor of Bilingual-Bicultural Education and Director, Institute for Daisaku Ikeda Studies in Education, Director of Programs in Bilingual-Bicultural Education, World Language Education, and Value-Creating Education for Global Citizenship, College of Education, DePaul University | Chicago, Illinois Clothilde V. Hewlett, JD Commissioner of Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, State of California | San Francisco, California Lawrence A. Hickman, PhD Director Emeritus, The Center for Dewey Studies and Professor Emeritus, Department of Philosophy, Southern Illinois University Carbondale | Carbondale, Illinois
Kris Knudsen, JD Attorney | Wilsonville, Oregon Karen Lewis, PhD Sondheimer Professor of International Finance and Co-Director, Weiss Center for International Financial Research, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Luis Nieves Founder, Chairman Emeritus AUL Corp, Benefactor | Napa, California Gene Marie O’Connell, RN, MS Health Care Consultant, Associate Clinical Professor, University of California, San Francisco School of Nursing | Corte Madera, California Adin Strauss General Director, Soka Gakkai International-USA | Santa Monica, California Yoshiki Tanigawa Benefactor, Soka Gakkai | Tokyo, Japan Edward M. Feasel, PhD President, Soka University of America (ex-officio member) | Aliso Viejo, California
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SUA LEADERSHIP COUNCIL Edward M. Feasel, PhD President Chief Academic Officer Professor of Economics
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