Acknowledgements
We are grateful to our community partners, whose generous support and special talents are invaluable to Hawai‘i Youth Symphony.
State of Hawai‘i
Dr. Josh Green, Governor
Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts
Karen Ewald, Executive Director
City & County of Honolulu
Rick Blangiardi, Mayor
Hawai‘i Community Foundation
Maurice & Joanna Sullivan Family Foundation
Aaron D. Mahi ’70 Endowed Fund
National Orchestral Institute + Festival
Richard Scerbo, Director Kahilu Theatre
Misha Johnson, Managing Director
Kalaʻe Souza, Director of Operations
Erin McClure, Production Manager
Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi Campus
M. Kāhealani Nae‘ole-Wong
Po‘o Kula, Head of School
William Harris, High School Band Director
Sharlene Greendyk, Director of Dining
Hawaiian Airlines
Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo by DoubleTree Hilton
Nalu Barrett, Group Sales Manager
Wendy Karimoto, Sales Coordinator
Accounting KMH LLP
Printing
Edward Enterprises
Program Design
Mark Nakamura
Public Relations
Becker Communications
Social Media
Vibe Creative Hawaii
University of Hawaiʻi Music Department
Dr. Laurence Paxton, Chair
William Watson, Facility Coordinator
Jazz Concert Concert Parent Volunteers
Michelle Funai
Wade Nobuhara
Youth Symphony I Concert
Parent Volunteers
Margret Arakaki
Coren Kajioka
Kathryn Kajioka
Wade Nobuhara
2025–2026 Board of Directors & Staff
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Erica Mau-Schank, Chair
Lauren Yoo, Vice Chair
Lorrin Hirano, Esq., Secretary
Richard Ing, Interim Treasurer
Directors
Ben Gutierrez
Sharon R. Himeno
Collin Hoo
Martin Hsia, Esq.
David Imanaka, Esq.
Richard Ing
Robin Kobayashi, Esq.
Malcolm Lau
John Love, Esq.
Michael Onofrietti
Aaron Salā, PhD
Jean Tsukamoto
Hawai‘i Youth Symphony
1350 South King St., Suite 201
Honolulu, HI 96814
Tel. (808) 941-9706
admin@hiyouthsymphony.org
www.HIYouthSymphony.org
Federal Tax ID #99-0119771
ADMINISTRATION
Randy Wong, President & CEO
Rachel Schultz, Chief Operating Officer
Joseph Stepec, Director of Orchestral Activities
Hannah Watanabe, Programs Director
Lauren Sergent, Operations Manager
Wailani Kontic, Philanthropy & Outreach Manager
Brent Ramos, Receptionist
McKenzee Espiritu, Music Librarian FACULTY
Symphony Program
Joseph Stepec, Conductor, Youth Symphony I
Alexander Peña, Conductor, Youth Symphony II
Wayne Fanning, Conductor, Concert Orchestra
Jazz Program
Dean Taba, Director
Ryan Howe, Instructor
Noel Okimoto, Instructor Academy Program
ʻAlohi Igarta, Academy String Program Coordinator
Michael Lim, Conductor, String Orchestra Ensemble & Concert String Orchestra
Carissa Miyamoto, Conductor, Beginning String Ensemble & Intermediate String Ensemble
Laurie Shimabukuro, Super Strings Instructor
Music in the Clubhouse
Abraham “Abe” Lagrimas, Jr., Honolulu Music4Kids
Maia Mayeshiro, Windward Music4Kids
Kauʻiokalani Mead, Nānākuli Music4Kids
Daniel Kawaiʻaeʻa Shaver, Nānākuli Violins
Message from the President
Aloha and warm welcome, Hawaiʻi Island friends!
We are honored to gather with you at Kahilu Theatre for this free community concert, marking Hawai‘i Youth Symphony’s first return to Waimea since 2016. Being back on Hawai‘i Island is deeply meaningful to us, and we are thrilled to re-introduce our students to the community that has long supported young musicians and the arts. Tonight is a celebration of reconnection—of place, people, and the shared joy that music brings.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Misha Johnson and the entire Kahilu Theatre team for their partnership and hospitality, and for welcoming our students back to this beautiful home for live performance. We are also grateful to our Hawai‘i Island–based guest artist, Maggie Herron, whose artistry and mentorship enriches this concert. Our thanks as well to Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i for lending us their instruments and inviting us to their campus for our Listen & Learn concerts following our Kahilu Theatre concerts. Last but not least, we are inspired by the many Hawai‘i Island students who take part in HYS each year, including those who will be joining us on stage today.
This tour and our related outreach concerts are supported through the generosity of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, the Maurice & Joanna Sullivan Family Foundation, the Aaron D. Mahi ’70 Endowed Fund, and the National Orchestral Institute + Festival. Their investment affirms our vision of a Hawai‘i where music is a right; that bringing young musicians into communities across our islands matters.
Mahalo for being here tonight. We hope this evening renews connections, sparks inspiration, and reminds us all that music truly lives here.
Randy Wong HYS President & CEO, and HYS alumnus ’99
About the Hawai‘i Youth Symphony
Hawai‘i’s only state-wide music education organization, Hawai‘i Youth Symphony reaches over 3,500 youth annually, ages 7–18 of all skill levels and every economic background, brought together from more than 100 schools across the islands. Since 1964, the nonprofit has advanced its mission of fostering fun and creative experiences for youth that inspire a deep appreciation for music and lifelong relationships within the culture of our islands through orchestral music, offering diverse programs including general music, string and band classes, jazz, symphony orchestras, summer intensives, and more. Contributions to HYS go toward its vision of A Hawai‘i where Music Is A Right: to break down barriers to music education including financial hardship, geographic barriers, and expanding the reach of HYS in rural and under-resourced communities.
Among the largest youth symphony organizations in the country, HYS ensures that no interested child is turned away from a quality music education because of financial need and awards over $100,000 a year through its financial aid program for qualified and neighbor island students. HYS also offers assistance for registration fees, instrument loans, private lessons and air and surface travel for neighbor island students. Team HYS is composed of more than a dozen employees and has a roster of nearly a hundred artist-faculty, all of whom are expressly dedicated to music education and its transformative opportunities for Hawai‘i's youth.
Maggie Herron
MSpecial Guest Artist
aggie Herron is an award-winning vocalist, pianist, and songwriter whose albums have earned multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards for Jazz Album of the Year, most recently My Story in Song (2024) and Your Refrain (2021). Her work blends sultry vocals, adept pianism, and compelling interpretations of jazz standards with original compositions, often in collaboration with her late daughter and lyricist, Dawn Herron.
Raised in Michigan and classically trained from childhood, Maggie’s early career took her from Seattle’s jazz scene to Hawai‘i, where she has lived and performed since the 1970s. She has opened for legends including Dave Brubeck, the Jazz Crusaders, Taj Mahal, and Phoebe Snow, and appears regularly at Lewers Lounge in Waikīkī with bassist Dean Taba. Maggie’s music is available on all major streaming platforms.
Maggie Herron PO Box 10680 Hilo, HI 96721
About the Conductor
Joseph Stepec
Director of Orchestral Activities & PMI Artistic Director Youth Symphony I Conductor
Joseph Stepec came to Hawai‘i from Cleveland, Ohio in 2016. He is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Orchestras at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Music Department. Under his direction, the University of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra has premiered works of new composers, represented underperformed masterworks, and has collaborated with ensembles as diverse as the United States Marine Band and more. He is an active clinician that has guest taught many ensembles visiting Hawaii, on the mainland, and abroad in Shanghai, China.
Mr. Stepec studied violin with Gregory Fulkerson at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and conducting at the Eastman School of Music with master teacher, Neil Varon. Mr. Stepec additionally studied with Michael Jinbo at the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors and pursued doctoral studies at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. In 2017, he was a conducting Fellow at the Menuhin Gstaad Music Festival where he worked closely with Jaap van Zweden, Music Director of the New York Philharmonic and noted conducting pedagogue, Johannes Schlaefli. In 2019, Mr. Stepec premiered a new translation of Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du Soldat set in colonial Hawai‘i with members of Chamber Music Hawai‘i to very favorable reviews.
As the Director of Orchestral Activities at the Hawaii Youth Symphony, Mr. Stepec conducts the top orchestra, Youth Symphony I. With that ensemble he has premiered new works by living composers and has worked with countless Hawai‘i based artists. He has toured with the ensemble to the outer islands and has been featured in concert at the Waīkikī Shell and Blaisdell Concert Hall. His work with the Hawaii Youth Symphony was recognized in 2024 with an induction to the Pacific Business News magazine’s “40 under 40,” which recognizes leaders in Hawai‘i.
Concert Program
Monday, February 16, 2026 • 4:00pm
Kahilu Theatre
Welcome and Certificate Presentation
Presented by
The Honorable David A. Tarnas, Hawai‘i State Representative, House District 8
Youth Symphony I
Joseph Stepec, Conductor
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone John Williams
IV. Harry's Wondrous World
Richard Scerbo, Guest Conductor
Oblivion Astor Piazzolla
Eric Camacho, Violin Soloist arr. Robert Longfield
Youth Symphony I, Jazz I and Guest Artist Maggie Herron
Fields of Gold
Can’t Help Falling in Love
Here Comes the Sun
Words & Music by Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner arr. Ari Barack Fisher
Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore & George David Weiss arr. by Ari Barack Fisher
Words & Music by George Harrison arr. Ari Barack Fisher & Maggie Herron
Jazz I
Dean Taba, Conductor
Morning Claire Fisher
Boogie Stomp Shuffle Charles Mingus
INTERMISSION
Youth Symphony I with students from Hawaiʻi Island
A Tribute to Henry Mancini arr. Calvin Custer
Youth Symphony I
Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64
I. Andante - Allegro con anima - Molto più tranquillo
IV. Finale
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Youth Symphony I
Violin I
Eric Camacho, Co-Concertmaster
Nicholas Chi
Leia Choi, Co-Concertmaster
Elizabeth Fink
Ymin Guo
Jayden Kim
Lily Nomura
Alexis Phansaithong
Max Shinno, Co-Concertmaster
Sevastyan Swan, Co-Concertmaster
Katherine Wu
Eileen Zhang
Violin II
Geon Cha
Ethan Chow
Yanling Guo, Co-Principal
Coco Kim
Riya Krishnagopalan
Vincent Lau
Brian Lim
Shiloh Mitsui
Christopher Oyama
Maria Swan, Co-Principal
Sherry Taguchi
Noah Tanaka
Rylan Terayama, Co-Principal
Viola
Hyunwoo Chang
Haaon Cho, Co-Principal
Leala Florendo
Eun Ha
Swan Kim, Co-Principal
Albert Ko, Co-Principal
Hannah Kwak
Kyla Miyamoto
Lulu Wang
Cello
Anson Akemoto
Sophia Chan, Co-Principal
Ashlyn Ito, Co-Principal
Ian Jun, Co-Principal
Cody Kajioka
Jibhum Lee
Lucas Sanford
Isabella Santos
Evangeline Tjoeng
Reese Walther
Bryan Wood
Taigo Yuen
Bass
Andrew Izumi, Co-Principal
Chloe Quiddaoen, Co-Principal
Flute
Hope Bayudan, Co-Principal
Flora Liao
Jason Okutani, Co-Principal
Henry Rhee
Jessica-Holly Wiemer
Oboe
Kenton Chan, Co-Principal
Maya Hokada, Co-Principal
Nainoa Tindle
Brandalyn Tran
Clarinet
Yuto Kawaguchi, Co-Principal
Jeannie Kim, Co-Principal
Pyeonggeun Kim
Ellie Obara
Bassoon
Jerry Gao
Daniel Kim, Co-Principal
Humi Yoshizawa, Co-Principal
Horn
Matthew Meinert
Tanner Millard, Co-Principal
Jake Miyakawa, Co-Principal
Kobe Miyamasu
Kai Takenouchi-Amador
Nicholas Xu
Trumpet
Kainoa Alcain
Paige Kawana
Javis Phan, Co-Principal
Christopher Yara, Co-Principal
Trombone
Kolten Hamana, Co-Principal
Xyon-La'Jount Jury
Cy Kaneshiro
Andrew Li, Co-Principal
Tuba
Sara Roper, Principal
Percussion
Camden Funai
Mani Kovacich
Carter Nobuhara
Ian Pak
Taitum Tanouye
Harp
Arabella Tan, Principal
Hawai‘i Island Students Performing with YSI
Kaileu Colon, Trumpet, Kea‘au High School
Ethan Estrada, Tuba, Waiākea High School
Loa Grabowski, Flute, Waiākea High School
Keira Ida Ayu, Percussion, Waiākea High School
Kai Nathaniel, Bass, Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy
Molly Nguyen, Flute, Hilo High School
Olivia Ooka, Horn, Waiākea High School
Mace Peng, Clarinet, Hilo High School
Rhianna Rodriguez, Bass Clarinet, Waiākea High School
About Youth Symphony I
Youth Symphony I (YSI) is the most advanced of HYS’s seven orchestras and is one of the finest youth symphonies in the country. In its history, YSI has performed with renowned guest artists, was a finalist in the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, and had the special honor of performing on From the Top, a nationally-broadcast radio show. For the 2025–2026 season, YSI is composed of 85 students, grades 9–12, from 17 public, home and independent schools across O’ahu. This year, YSI has four senior co-concertmasters. Eric Camacho & Leia Choi, from ‘Iolani School, Max Shinno, from Punahou School, and Sevastyan Swan, a homeschool student.
Tenor Saxophone
Kyle Nakagawa
Trombone
Erin Kawamura
Bass Guitar
Robert-John Heck Scharsch
Keyboard
Lorence Dumalan
Drum Set/Percussion
Mani Kovacich
Carter Nobuhara
Jazz I
About the Director
Dean Taba
Jazz Program Director
PMI Jazz Intensive Director
Ahighly regarded studio and freelance musician, Dean Taba began his musical studies on the piano at the age of 6 and played French horn in the Hawai‘i Youth Symphony. It was a desire to play in the high school jazz band that introduced him to the bass and improvised music. After extensive studies at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and a refinement of his skills on both the acoustic and electric bass, Dean relocated in 1984 to Los Angeles to become one of its most in demand musicians.
Also a respected clinician and educator (Los Angeles Music Academy, Musician’s Institute, Cal-Poly Pomona, Grove School of Music) Dean has recently performed/recorded with Jeff Lorber, David Benoit, Mark Murphy, Jake Shimabukuo, Andy Summers, Sadao Watanabe, The San Francisco Symphony, Hiroshima, Rick Braun, The American Jazz Institute Orchestra, Dave Koz, Jeff Richman, Pauline Wilson, The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Daniel Ho, Bill Watrous, and many others as well as playing on countless CDs, TV shows, and movie soundtracks.
About Jazz Program
A relatively new HYS program, HYS Jazz celebrates its sixth anniversary this year! Under the leadership of HYS Jazz Director Dean Taba, and with the support of our dedicated faculty including Dean, Noel Okimoto and Ryan Howe, HYS Jazz offers two levels for students ages 14–18. Jazz II for students who play an instrument but have little to no experience in jazz, and Jazz I for students who are advancing in their jazz and improvisation skills. HYS Jazz students are taught the skills necessary to play as a rhythm section, accompany others and improvise. We are proud to have guitarists, keyboardists, drummers, saxophonists and brass players among our student body, though HYS Jazz is a wholly inclusive environment and welcomes students from all orchestral instruments. HYS Jazz frequently collaborates with highly-respected artists, and in its short history has already performed with Jake Shimabukuro, trumpeter Eric Miyashiro, saxophonist Steve Treseler, vocalist Shari Lyn, and John Valentine! Though the focus of HYS Jazz is music performance, many entrepreneurial facets of being a professional musician or working in the music industry are addressed throughout the year. Students have direct access to top audio engineers, influential musicians, and music business gurus. Learn more about all that HYS Jazz has to offer at https://hiyouthsymphony.org/hysjazz/.
National Orchestral Institute + Festival
The Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony proudly presents a distinguished group of Teaching Fellows from the National Orchestral Institute + Festival (NOI+F) for today’s concert and additional school performances on Maui and Oʻahu.
Established as one of the premier summer music festivals globally, NOI+F nurtures exceptionally talented college-age musicians. Since 2017, our Pacific Music Institute summer intensive has collaborated with NOI+F through the Orchestral Learning Alliance, providing Hawaiʻi’s youth with expert mentorship and extending the reach of orchestral music beyond traditional venues.
This concert marks a significant first as it extends beyond our Pacific Music Institute activities, showcasing the Teaching Fellows in a public performance. We extend our heartfelt thanks to NOI+F and the National Endowment for the Arts for their generous support, which makes it possible to share the outstanding talents of these Teaching Fellows with audiences across Hawaiʻi.
Richard Scerbo
Director, NOI+F at the University of Maryland College Park
With a career that spans conducting, teaching and arts leadership, Richard Scerbo has been a thought leader in the world of orchestras for nearly two decades. He is the newly appointed music director of the Columbia Orchestra, artistic director and conductor of Inscape Chamber Orchestra, and artistic Director of Jackson Hole Chamber Music. At the University of Maryland’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, he enjoys dual roles as codirector of artistic programming and director of the National Orchestral Institute + Festival.
As Artistic Director and Conductor of Inscape Chamber Orchestra, he has recorded numerous albums of American music, including the GRAMMY-nominated album Sprung Rhythm. Their concerts and recordings have received rave reviews in publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Gramophone Magazine, Archivmusic, and various audiophile blogs.
In leading the National Orchestral Institute + Festival, Scerbo has overseen a decade of transformational artistic growth including an innovative training curriculum in orchestral performance, self-led chamber orchestras, professional development, and community engagement. For his work with NOI+F, he was
selected as an Innovator by Musical America and is profiled in Musical America’s Innovators: 30 Professionals of the Year. Selected from hundreds of performing arts professionals, Musical America Professionals of the Year are innovative, creative, and forward-thinking arts leaders. Under his leadership, NOI+F has created vital partnerships with organizations such as Naxos Records, Wolf Trap Opera, the Sphinx Organization, Pacific Music Institute, Washington National Cathedral, and many others. Their ongoing effort to record works by American composers in partnership with Naxos Records was recognized by a GRAMMY nomination in the category of “Best Orchestral Performance” for works by Steven Stucky, John Harbison and Carl Ruggles. Most recently, Scerbo led the festival in its appointment of Marin Alsop as its first Music Director, and the subsequent creation of annual composer and conductor training academies. Richard Scerbo grew up near Annapolis, Maryland and credits his public school music teachers for his lifelong journey in music. He studied bassoon with Daniel Matsukawa, Linda Harwell, and Sue Henieman at the University of Maryland where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and a Master's degree in Orchestral Conducting with James Ross.
NOI Fellows
Cade Araza
Cade Araza is a fourth-year undergraduate at The Juilliard School, where he studies French horn performance under Eric Reed. Known for an open, warm, lyrical tone and a commanding presence in both orchestral and chamber settings, Cade has already earned the admiration of renowned conductors including Marin Alsop and David Robertson, who have praised his artistry, precision, collaboration, and expressive range. As a frequent principal horn with the Juilliard Orchestra, Cade has appeared on some of the world’s most celebrated stages, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Vienna Musikverein, performing repertoire including Mahler, Strauss, Bruckner, and Schoenberg. He has refined his craft through personal studies and masterclasses with leading horn artists such as Radovan Vlatković, Stefan Dohr, Julie Landsman, and Erik Ralske, blending the influences of these great musicians into a distinctive and compelling artistic voice. In addition to his work on major concert stages, Cade is committed to using music as a force for connection and healing. He performs regularly with a community outreach horn quartet across New York City, bringing live music to nursing homes, hospitals, and schools, sharing the joy and beauty of the French horn with audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
Dasara Beta
Dasara Beta is a classical trumpet player based in Philadelphia, PA. Currently in his third year of undergraduate studies at the esteemed Curtis Institute of Music, Dasara studies with Michael Sachs and Jeffrey Curnow, as well as previously having studied with David Bilger. Dasara holds the position of Third Trumpet with Symphony in C, a symphony orchestra based in Camden, NJ, under the baton of maestra Noam Aviel. Previously, Dasara has appeared in performance with the NYO-USA All Star Orchestra with Yannick Nezet-Seguin at Carnegie Hall, and as a soloist in Severance Hall with the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra. He has also been a two time fellow of the National Orchestral Institute, and a member of the AIMS Festival Orchestra in Graz, Austria. In his free time, Dasara enjoys weightlifting, reading, distance running, and taking care of his beloved houseplants.
Dalton Hooper
Dalton Hooper, a fellow in the 2025 National Orchestral Institute + Festival, is currently in the 2nd year of his master’s degree for Trombone Performance at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Georgia receiving bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Trombone Performance. Dalton has developed a passion for performing and teaching; his primary goal is to perform with a professional orchestra and continue mentoring young musicians. Currently, he teaches private lessons through the Community Music Scholars Program at Temple University. In the future, he wants to give opportunities for brass students to play in chamber ensembles such as brass choir, brass quintet, and trombone quartet, as he has found that performing in these groups to be a valuable experience as a musician. Off the horn, Dalton enjoys puzzles, video games with friends, exploring nature, and visiting local coffee shops.
Sophie Urban
Sophie Urban is pursuing her Master of Music in Trumpet Performance at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music, where she studies with Professor David Bilger. She completed her Bachelor of Music in 2025 with Professor Barbara Butler at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music and recently held a one-year contract as Associate Principal Trumpet III with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic (2023–2024). Additionally, Sophie is an Associate Artist with the Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass and works as a freelance musician and teacher. Previous teachers include Charles Geyer, Philip Hembree, and Thomas Wilson. Sophie currently serves as the Artist & Presenter Relations Associate with Marsalis Mansion Artists.
A Colorado native, Sophie performed with the Denver Young Artists Orchestra, Colorado Springs Youth Symphony, and Colorado All State Honor Orchestra and Band in her youth. She made her featured solo debut playing Legend by Georges Enesco as a winner of the Denver Young Artists Orchestra Winds/Brass Concerto Competition in 2018.
In addition to being an S.E. Shires rising artist, Sophie was named a National YoungArts Foundation 2021 winner in Classical Music: Trumpet and was honored with the International Trumpet Guild (ITG) Young Artist Award in 2018. She has participated in the National Orchestral Institute, AIMS Festival Orchestra in Graz, Monteux School & Music Festival, PRISMA Festival, Eastern Music Festival, National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA), and Curtis Institute of Music Summerfest Young Artist Program, among others. Furthermore, Sophie is grateful to have been selected to play in masterclasses for many world-class musicians in the trumpet community including Alison Balsom, Sergei Nakariakov, Tine Thing Helseth, the Canadian Brass, and Doc Severinsen. She is profoundly thankful for their generosity and support of young artists.
Sophie’s work in music extends far beyond her trumpet performances. Over the years, she has presented a clinic at the 2018 Colorado State University Trumpet Day, served as an intern for the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs and in the library at the National Orchestral Institute, played piano for children’s worship, sung in church choir, and dabbled in video and audio engineering.
When not involved in her various music activities, Sophie loves traveling, practicing yoga, playing tennis, cooking, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.
Guest Artist with NOI+F
Dan Honaker
Dan Honaker is a low brass performer and educator currently based in Honolulu, where he is a member of the Royal Hawaiian Band. Previously he served as Adjunct Professor of tuba and euphonium at Wright State University, and The College of Wooster. In addition to his work as an educator, Dan continues an active performing career. As an orchestral tuba player, he has performed with The Cleveland Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Malaysian Philharmonic and Hawai’i Symphony, among many others.
As a chamber musician Dan has recorded “6 Movements for Brass” by Elliott Miles McKinely on Navona Records with the New York Festival Brass Quintet. Additionally, he can be heard on recordings with the San Francisco Symphony, National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic, and a number of video game soundtracks.
In 2019, Dan completed a 3-year fellowship as Principal Tuba with “The Orchestra Now” where he received a Masters of Music in Curatorial, Critical and Performance Studies. Dan has also earned an M.M. in tuba performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and a B.M. in tuba performance from Baldwin Wallace Conservatory. Dan has attended numerous summer festivals including the National Orchestral institute in 2015.
Mahalo to Our Schools
HYS is grateful to the many public, private, and home schools that play their part in helping to advance music’s role in their communities. The following schools are represented in our various HYS programs this year. We are deeply grateful to all the music educators and private music teachers whose expertise, encouragement, and support mean so much to our students. Every attempt has been made to publish a complete listing of schools for the 2025–2026 season and we regret any errors or omissions that have been made.
‘Aiea High School
Acellus Academy
‘Āina Haina Elementary School
Alaka'i O Kaua'i PCS
Āliamanu Elementary School
Āliamanu Middle School
Campbell High School
Castle High School
Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School
Damien Memorial High School
Einstein Middle School
Enchanted Lake Elementary School
Fletcher Middle School
Haha‘ione Elementary School
Hanahau‘oli School
Hawai‘i Baptist Academy
Hawai‘i Technology Academy
He‘eia Elementary School
Hickam Elementary School
Highlands Intermediate School
Hilo High School
Homeschool
Hongwanji Mission
Honolulu Waldorf
Honouliuli Middle School
‘Iolani School
Island Pacific Academy
Jackson Reed HS
Jarrett Middle School
Jefferson Elementary School
Ka Waihona o Ka Na‘auao PCS
Ka‘elepulu Elementary School
Kāhala Elementary School
Kailua High School
Kailua Intermediate School
Kaimukī Christian
Kaimukī Middle School
Kaiser High School
Kalāheo High School
Kalāheo High School
Kalani High School
Kamehameha Kapālama Campus
Kamehameha Schools Big Island Campus
Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus
Kāne‘ohe Elementary School
Kanu o ka ‘Āina NCPCS
Kapolei High School
Kapolei Middle School
Kawānanakoa Middle School
King Intermediate School
King Kekaulike High School
Kulia Academy
La Pietra
Lanakila Baptist Schools
Le Jardin Academy
Liholiho Elementary School
Ma‘ema‘e Elementary School
Mānoa Elementary School
Mary, Star of the Sea School
Maryknoll Schools
Maui High School
McKinley High School
Mid-Pacific Institute
Mililani High School
Mililani ‘Ike Elementary School
Mililani Mauka Elementary School
Mililani Middle School
Mililani Waena Elementary School
Moanalua Elementary School
Moanalua High School
Moanalua Middle School
Momilani Elementary School
Myron B. Thompson PCS
Nānāikapono Elementary School
Newport Mill Middle School
Niu Valley Middle School
Noelani Elementary School
Nu‘uanu Elementary School
Orange County School of the Arts
Pauoa Elementary School
Pearl City High School
Pearl City Highlands Elementary School
Pullman High School
Punahou School
Radford High School
Roosevelt High School
Royal Elementary School
Sacred Hearts Academy
Saint Louis School
Salt Lake Elementary School
Sierramont Middle School
St. Andrew’s Schools
St. Mark Lutheran School
Stevenson Middle School
Trinity Christian School
University Laboratory School PCS
Waiākea High School
Wai‘alae Elementary School PCS
Waikīkī Elementary School
Waipahu High School
Washington Middle School
Webling Elementary School
Wilson Elementary School
Woodbury Elementary School
Mahalo to Our Donors
Hawai‘i Youth Symphony deeply appreciates these contributions made between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025. Thank you for helping us to work towards a Hawaiʻi where music is a right! We apologize if we’ve made any accidental errors or omissions; please let us know by emailing our development team: development@hiyouthsymphony.org.
Conductor‘s Circle
$50,000 & Above
Glenn D. Fernandez Trust
Maurice and Joanna Sullivan Family Foundation
President’s Circle
$10,000–$49,999
Aaron David Mahi ‘70 Trust
The Arthur and Mae Z. Orvis Foundation
Action Realty Corporation
Altres, Inc.
Cades Foundation
Charles & Mitch Ota Foundation of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation
Erica & Aaron Mau-Schank
First Hawaiian Bank Foundation
George Mason Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation
Hawaii Community Foundation
Honolulu Chamber Music Series
Island Insurance Companies
John R. Halligan Charitable Fund
Karl & Alice Blade
Kent & Jean Tsukamoto
Kosasa Foundation
Louise and Y.T. Lum Foundation
McInerny Foundation
Richard & Susan Ing
Robert E. Black Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation
Serendipity II Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation
Stephen & Gloria J. Gainsley
The Al Sherman Foundation
Thomas & Mi Kosasa
Angel
$5,000–$9,999
Anonymous
Alison Lihalakha
Ben and Vicky Cayetano
Blue Note Hawaii
Cathy Monseur
Christine Camp & Avalon Group, LLC
Deborah Hashimura
Foundation for an Engaged Pacific
Jillson Fleener & Pearl Ling
Lauren Yoo
Lorrin Hirano
Martin & Danna Hsia
National Orchestral Institute + Festival
Pacific Property Group, Inc.
Randy Wong & Helen Liu
Schwab Charitable Fund
Steven & Marilyn Katzman
The Dods Foundation
The Resort Group
Dr. Vivien Tham & Pacific Vision Institute of HI
Benefactor
$2,500–$4,999
Anonymous
April Terayama
Collin Hoo
David & Nicole Imanaka
Foodland Super Market, Ltd.
Ginny Tiu
GuavaGar Westfall Charitable Fund at HCF
Jonathan Y. C. Ching Revocable Trust
Robin Kobayashi & Kenneth Fink
Kristen Bronner
Leighton Taylor
Lung Rose Voss & Wagnild
Malcolm S. & Carol Koga
Michael & Amy Onofrietti
Michael J. Y. & Terrina Wong ‘Ohina Labs
Paul White
The William Gemmer Foundation Fund at HCF
Patron
$1,000–$2,499
Anonymous
Aloha United Way
Anthony Carr
Bob Hayashi
Bradford W. Lee
Carlton & Elsie Gushiken
Chelsea Maeda
Cory Beall
Dale K. Bordner
Foodland Give Aloha
Franklin K. Yanamura
HDG, Inc.
Chris & Jadine Nielsen
Jan M. Tamura
John Noland
Jose L. Romero Memorial Fund at HCF
Kobayashi, Sugita & Goda LLP
LPL Financial
M. Wong & C. Yee
Masaki School of Music
Meagan M. Yoshimoto-Clark & Adam Clark, the Ebbtide Family Fund
Monica & Stephen Chan
Myrna Kuo
Randolph G. Moore & Lynne
Johnson
Ritchie & Sunny Mudd
Robert H Armstrong
Ruthann Yamanaka
Sadie Kim
Scott B. Gomes
Sharen R. Himeno & Warren Price
Steven & Izumi Rhee
Stephen & Rosemarie Love
Takumi Family Fund
Tayler Y. & Renee Mori
Terrence White
Wade Nobuhara & Cecile
Sebastian
Watumull Stores/Jhamandas Watumull Fund
Wayne Fanning
Wilfred Miyasaki
Worldster & Patricia Lee
Yoon Jee Kim
Sponsor
$500–$999
Anonymous
Alexander Ishii
Ann Chang
Ann K. Yoklavich
Autumn Woods & Barney Brennan
Ben Gutierrez & Chris Korsak
Beth Tamayose
Bill Holowecki
Brandi Falcon
DAFgiving360
Daniel & Linda Momohara
David & Amy Monk
David Landis & Sean Dowdall
George I. Nagao
Gloria K Ching
Grant Ito
Hannah Watanabe
Helen K. Higa
Jaewon Choi
Jake Shimabukuro
James Lin
Jean McIntosh
Justin V. Redona
Karen Dempsey
Lauren Chun
Lutheran Church of Honolulu
Mark Verrey
Nathan Momohara
Patti Look
Ratana Puapong
Kim Coco Iwamoto
Rachel Schultz
Robert Littman
Robert Murphy
Roselle Chin
Ross Tanoue
Sandra Higuchi
Seitoku Takahashi
Sharelle Ito
Su-Jie (Nam) Hong
Suman Kaza
Susanna Cheng
Walter & Marguerite Nobuhara
Wayne Higuchi
Wayne Katayama
Yi-Chuan Ching
Partner
$250–$499
Anonymous
Allen Murabayashi
Andrei Kotchetov
Arthur Furukawa
Big Island Candies
Carol Aki
Carolyn Hong
Darcy Nishimura
David & Annette Jackson
Dean K. & Sharene Taba
Emi Kurihara
Eric Chen
Fidelity Charitable
Gary Yap
George Goto
George Wellington, Jr.
Jay Young and Dory Kim Young
Jerrod & Rachel Melander
Joe Stepec
Kahala Senior Living Community, Inc.
Kent Koike
Kiyoko Nitz
Larry T. Takumi
Laurel Johnston
Lisa Wong
Lori Hammer
Lynne Morikawa
Matthew Kugiya
Mark Arimoto
Melvin K. Wong
Milton Liu
Miyeko S. Hashimoto
Myrna Cundy
Nick Morabito
Nina Thai
Randall Hee
Robert G. & Patricia C. Peters
Robyn Weber
Rochelle Uchibori
Roy Esaki
Selena & Christopher Ching
Shigeki Yamane
Taylor L. York
Tilden Osako
Wayne Kawamura
Wendy Suetsugu
William E. Seehafer
Contributor
$100–$249
Anonymous
Aaron Wu & Hong Wang
Alison Lum
Allison Hirakami
Alyssa Kawamura
Amy H. Mitsuda
Amy Iwano
Andrew Akemoto
Ann Castelfranco & David Ross
April K.Y. Leong
Ayako Iwata
Beverly Hamada
Brian & Tammy Walther
Byron Kelly
Calvin K. Lee
Carl & Jan Matsuura
Carolyn Ing
Carolyn Inoue
Challa Chi
Charities Aid Foundation America (Cybergrants)
Cheryl Kojima
Chester Kaneshiro
Christina Wong
Clayton Pang
Cristin Gallagher
Dale Nishikawa
Darren Sueoka
David Masunaga
Dennis Higashiguchi
Earl & Carol Yasui
Edward Masunaga
Elaine Chang
Emerald Lai
Ethel C. Iwasaki
Frank J. Hook
Frederick Harris
Friends of the Library of Hawaii
Geoff & Luann Wiggins
George Hudes
George Masaki
Georgia Wong
Glenn M. Nakao
Glenn Toma
Gregory Wong
Hayden L. Hawkins
Huyen Truong
James Kawashima
Jann M. Fujimoto
Jason & Sheila Swanson
Jean Shimabukuro
Jeffrey Boeckman
Jeffrey Lim
Joanne Huber
Jodi Goh
John & Susan Soong
Kenneth Jim
Kim Taira
Kirk Shitaoka
Lance Oba
Laura & Van M. Goto
Laureen & Alfred Wong
Leona Kamoku
Lian Mito
Linda Hattemer
Lois Lloyd
Lucky Tree Fund
Mark Nakamura
Marie Tai
Micah Ewing
Masahiko & Chikako Kobayashi
Mioko Chang
Najean Lee
Nancy D. White
Nancy K. Sonoda
Nicole Crawford
Nina Smith
Noel Okimoto
Patricia Takemoto
Paul & Kristi Komeiji
Rachel Schultz
Ralph K. Oshiro
Robert & Linda Weiner
Robert & Mary Schornstheimer
Robyn Fong
Roslyn Meinert
Ruth Komatsu
Ryan Lee
Sandy Chen
Sara Amick-Van Horn
Sarah Miyahira
Selene Patterson
Shannon Igarta
Sheryl Shohet
Suellen Barton
Tamae Shiraishi
Target Foundation
The Blackbaud Giving Fund
Van M. Goto
Velma Lee
Vern Miyagi
Warren Chew
Wilene Lum
William T. & Gayle Oshima
Friend
$1–$99
Anonymous
Abby Goldy
Aileen Gushiken
Akari Hatanaka
Andrew Fowers
Andrew V. Bates
Ann Doike
Anne Lee
Carolyn Berry
Clifford Char
Colin & Keiko Sewake
Crowdstake Foundation
Cyrinthia Richards
Dan Miyamoto
Daniel Wilson
Dena P. Brennan
Dezarae Miyahira
Diane Bartosik
Doris S. Oshiro
Eric Chang
Gail Taylor
Gerald Young
Gisela Ricardi King
Glenn Shimabukuro
Glenn Ueda
Gordon T. Yang
Grace & Kyler Kwock
Isaac Tejada
Janelle Perreira
Jeremy Lawi
Jerry Ono
John & Camille Devlin
Judith A. Mick
Julia Fujioka
Julie Okamura
Julie Yeaman
Karen Lagrimas
Kathryn Spadaro
Kenneth H. Burtness
Kimi Ide-Foster
Lauren Sergent
Lesley Shibata
Lily Chu
Lisa Tasaka
Lloyd Lim
Madeleine Powell
Marilyn Kobata
Michelle Funai
Nadine Mask
Nicole Nakamura
Nicole Ward
Noah Kephart
Pamela Young
Patti Evans
Patti L. Horio Evans
Petula Shimabukuro
Philip & Evelyn Brown
Rachael Blake
E. Richard & Diane Bartosik
Rina Chung
Ruby Arii
Shentang Wang
Stacey Sergent
Stanley K. Tanaka
Susan Imai
Tammi Okamura
Todd & Norine Sakuda
Thalia Woodward
Wailani & Denis Kontic
Wendy E. Uyeda
Werylend Tomczyk
TRIBUTES
In Honor of Burton Ueda by Glenn Ueda
In Honor of Camden Funai by Colin Sewake
In Honor of Hannah Liu Rosales by Randy Wong & Helen Liu
In Honor of Karolyn Kaneshiro by Selene Patterson
In Honor of Lauren Dods by The Dods Foundation
In Honor of Matthew K. Meinert by Roslyn Meinert
In Honor of Sarah M. Wilson by Daniel Wilson
In Honor of Randy Wong by M. Wong & C. Yee
In Honor of Rochell Uchibori by Patricia Takemoto
In Honor of the Class of 2025 by Randy Wong & Helen Liu
In Memory of George Berry by Carolyn Berry
In Memory of Gladys Hirano by M. Wong & C. Yee
In Memory of Joseph Rothstein by Ann Yoklavich
In Memory of Maestro Henry Miyamura by Erica Mau-Schank by George Goto by Ratana Puapong by Randy Wong & Helen Liu
In Memory of Mildred A. Yee by C. Yee
In Memory of Richard Cundy by Myrna Cundy
In Memory of Steven Evans by Patti L. Horio Evans
In Memory of Steven H. Shimabukuro by Akemi Kurokawa by Alan Higa by Amy Young by Audrey Kubo by Audrey Okaneku by Bruce Shimabukuro by Bryan Sakai by Bert & Eleanor Yamaguchi by Clayton Pang by Colin Kim by David & Annette Jackson by David Masunaga by Eben W. Chun by Elaine Yamanoha by Eric Yamanoha by Franklin K. Yanamura by Gail Nakamura by Gareth Kaneshiro by Gladys Yamanoha by Glenn M. Nakao by Glenn Shimabukuro by Glenn Yamanouchi by Gordon Sato by Guy Ikehara by Janice Shintani by Jean Shimabukuro by Jill Shimabukuro by JoAnn Suematsu by Karen Gushi by Kaori & June Kobayashi by Kazutoshi & Iris Hino by Kobayashi, Sugita & Goda LLP by Letitia Uyehara by Lynne Morikawa by Lynn Nakaura by Maureen Yamasaki by Michele Ikeda by Nicole Crawford by Niki Shishido by Paul S. Taniguchi by Randy Wong & Helen Liu by Richard & Rose Shimabukuro by Robin L. Hollison by Sheryl Shohet by Stanley Ching by Stanley K. & Rita Tanaka by Steven Fujita by Tory Shimabukuro by Vern Miyagi by Wayne Morikawa by Wilfred Higashi
