SUM MER 2026 NEW SLETT E R | SPECIAL SENIOR EDITION
CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2026! “The music we play is a representation of our own humanity and our world. By playing in an orchestra each week, students learn a great deal about people and about cultures,” said Director of Orchestral Activities Joseph Stepec. “Music is more than notes on a page. It’s about the intentions behind them and coming together as one.” Hoʻomaikaʻi to the 56 members of HYS who graduated this spring! We were thrilled to celebrate this incredible milestone with students, staff, volunteers, family members and friends during our pring concerts’ senior ceremonies in April and May. In the next couple of months, these HYS alumni will be headed to colleges across the nation, from Hawaiʻi to Washington to Massachusetts and beyond. They will be majoring in a variety of subjects, including mechanical engineering, psychology, animal science, anthropology, biology, music education and more. “We hope that you carry your love for music through this next chapter, remembering that you can always return to your lessons, memories, friendships, and achievements from HYS,” said Chief Operating Officer Rachel Schultz. “We are so inspired by your drive and commitment, which will take you very far wherever you end up.” Throughout the years, we have seen these dedicated students grow into passionate and capable young adults. We know they will continue to impact our world in ways that make us proud, whether it be through music or other forms of service.
MEET THE CLASS OF 2026!
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Aloha and congratulations to the class of 2026! We are so proud of all that you’ve accomplished and look forward to what’s to come. Every year, we see a group of extraordinary students, who have spent countless hours sharpening their skills, making friends, advocating for the arts, and fostering their passion for music, move on to the next chapter of their lives. As educators, it is our goal to create seeds of change. Every teacher, companion, and lesson is like rain and sunlight, helping the seed to sprout and grow into its best form. In 20 years, we have a full-grown tree that provides fruit, shade, water, wood, and more. Only then can we truly understand the full impact of the conditions and resources that created it. With a history of over 60 years, we have seen many graduating classes—each one exceptional in their own way. It is a privilege to see how many HYS alumni are making a difference in our community. In this newsletter issue, we are proud to highlight the class of 2026 and past alumni who have gone on to do incredible things. To the class of 2026, I hope you remember that you can always lean on your experiences from HYS wherever you end up. HYS is about more than just music. Every lesson is applicable to life as a whole— regardless of what stage you’re in. To all of our alumni, it has been an honor to watch you evolve from small seeds to big, beautiful trees. Your successes and dedication to leading with integrity make everything we do worth it.
– RANDY WONG
HYS ALUMNI: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Even though our alumni share roots in HYS and a common love for music, life has taken them in many directions. As leaders in various industries, they continue to use the skills they learned in our programs, while fostering the friendships they made along the way. The following stories represent just a fraction of the many paths and successes our alumni find post-HYS. [Note: We are seeking volunteers to help us connect with, and report on, alumni. Please contact our team member Wailani Kontic if you are interested in joining this effort: wailani@hiyouthsymphony.org.]
EMERGING PROFESSIONALS Emi Horii (violin, ʻ20) worked as a legislative manager for State Representative Lisa Marten and will be moving to San Francisco to pursue her J.D. at University of California, Berkeley, School of Law. “Being part of HYS was a transformative experience that made me In 2020, Honolulu-Star Advertiser published an article featuring four HYS students, Emi Horii, Stephanie Yoshida, Sewon Park fall in love with creating and Matin Boulos, who had been selected to participate in Carnegie Hall’s prestigious National Youth Orchestra 2 program. and sharing music,” said Emi. “My positive experience at HYS continues to inspire me to share the joy of music and help create more equitable access to the arts.” Stephanie Yoshida (violin, ʻ20) graduated from Harvard last May with a degree in Astrophysics. She moved to Wisconsin to begin her role as a baseball research and development analyst for the Milwaukee Brewers. Matin Boulos (bass, ‘21) attended Colburn Music Academy and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She is now attending Portland State University, where she is getting a Music Education degree, and returns home to sub with the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Leilehua Lanzilotti (viola, ʻ02) went on to earn degrees at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Yale School of Music, and Manhattan School of Music. She became a composer and multimedia artist, who explores dramatic expanses of color and timbre, engaging with themes of place, displacement, and layered time. Leilehua has gained national recognition as a 2022 Pulitzer Prize Finalist in Music and 2025 USA Fellow. Just last year, her work of light and stone was commissioned and premiered by the New York Philharmonic at David Geffen Hall in Lincoln Center by Gustavo Dudamel. Lanzilotti’s piece drew its inspiration from the lives and compositions of Nā Lani ʻEhā, or “the heavenly four”—King Kalākaua, Queen Liliʻuokalani, Princess Likelike, and Prince Leleiōhoku—all who contributed extensively to preserving cultural traditions and encouraging innovation.
BOARD & STAFF Congrats to Richard Hotoke (bassoon, ‘69), who recently retired following a 50 years private teaching. His teaching career also included roles as band director and music theory teacher at Moanalua High School, ʻIolani School, and Mid-Pacific Institute. “Mr. Hotoke was a teacher who never stopped inspiring his students. His passion for music, especially the bassoon, was infectious,” said former student and HYS alumnus Jake Taniguchi (bassoon, ʻ16), now assistant conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic and music director of the Rochester Philhamornic Youth Orchestra. “It feels like a remarkable full-circle moment that I now serve as assistant conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and walk the same halls of Eastman, where Mr. Hotoke once studied.” Herb Mahelona (cello, ‘85) composed Kamalehua: The Sheltering Tree, which tells the story of Timoteo Haʻalilio, royal secretary and lifelong friend to King Kamehameha III. The opera was conducted by Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre’s Principal Guest Conductor Lance Inouye (percussion, ‘89) and performed at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall in May 2026. It is the first full-length opera created by Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders and sung in Hawaiian.
NEW FACULTY Elden Seta (clarinet, ‘82) is our new Youth Symphony II conductor. He brings to the role a deep understanding of the organization’s mission and nearly 40 years of experience, including 37 years as music director at Moanalua High School. There, he built a thriving program that inspired generations of students to pursue their passion for music and achieve their best.
BOARD GOVERNANCE John Love (violin, ‘00) is the most recent addition to our Board of Directors. As an alumnus, he has experienced the impact of music education as a keiki here in Hawaiʻi firsthand. He continues to foster his love for music while giving back to the community formerly as vice president of the Honolulu Chamber Music Series, and now, as a member of the Oʻahu Civic Orchestra. Professionally, John is partner and chair of the Finance, Real Estate, and Corporate Department at Cades Schutte. Lauren Yoo (cello, ‘98) finished her term as vice chair on our Board of Directors. Inspired by her experience as a cellist in HYS, she joined our board in 2023. Lauren currently serves as vice president of The Aja Group, her family’s restaurant business. Lorrin Hirano (viola, ‘77) will step in after Lauren to begin his term as vice chair on our Board of Directors. He comes from a family of HYS alumni and supporters, including his mother, Gladys, who also served on the board for many years. Lorrin currently serves as senior vice president and legal counsel for Title Guaranty of Hawaii.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Erica Mau-Schank ♪
Vice Chair Lorrin Hirano, Esq. ♪ Secretary Ben Gutierrez Treasurer Richard Ing ♪ Directors
Sharon R. Himeno Collin Hoo Martin Hsia, Esq. David Imanaka, Esq. Robin Kobayashi, Esq. Malcolm Lau
John Love, Esq.♪ Michael Onofrietti Aaron Salā Matt Sasaki Jean Tsukamoto
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Randy Wong,♪ President & CEO Rachel Schultz, Chief Operating Officer Hannah Watanabe,♪ Programs Director Lauren Sergent, Operations Manager Wailani Kontic, Philanthropy & Outreach Manager Brent Ramos,♪ Office Receptionist Mckenzee Espiritu, ♪ Music Librarian ʻAlohi Igarta,♪ Development Support
SYMPHONY PROGRAM Joseph Stepec, Director & Conductor (YSI) Elden T. Seta,♪ Conductor (YSII) Wayne Fanning,♪ Conductor (CO) Amy Carlson, Chamber Music Coordinator
ACADEMY STRING PROGRAM Jeff Hamano,♪ Summer Strings Michael Lim,♪ Conductor (SOE & CSO) Carissa Miyamoto,♪ BSE & ISE Laurie Shimabukuro,♪ Super Strings ‘Alohi Igarta,♪ Coordinator
JAZZ PROGRAM Dean Taba,♪ Director Ryan Howe,♪ Faculty Noel Okimoto, Faculty
PACIFIC MUSIC INSTITUTE Jeremy Lawi,♪ General Manager Joseph Stepec, Artistic Director Ignace Jang, Solo & String Quartet Dean Taba,♪ Jazz Richard Scerbo, Orchestral Learning Alliance
MUSIC IN THE CLUBHOUSE & COMMUNITY INITIATIVES Kauʻionalani Mead, Music4Kids – Nānākuli Daniel Kawaiʻaeʻa Shaver,♪ Nānākuli Strings Abe Lagrimas Jr.,♪ Music4Kids – Honolulu Maia Mayeshiro, Music4Kids — Windward ♪ DENOTES HYS ALUMNI
CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2026!
Anson Akemoto
Audrey Branner
David Chan
Leia Choi
Cello ‘Iolani School
Cello Roosevelt High
Cello Mililani High
Violin ‘Iolani School
Airi Choy
Princeton Co
Lorence Dumalan
Elizabeth Fink
Violin Kalani High
Cello Kalani High
Keyboard/Piano McKinley High
Violin Mid-Pacific Institute
Ymin Guo
Rui Han
Robert-John “Ehukai” Heck Scharsch
Maya Hokada
Violin ‘Iolani School
Viola Kalani High
Bass Guitar Kamehameha Kapālama
Oboe Roosevelt High
Ashlyn Ito
Cole Jackson
Xyon-La’Jount “LJ” Jury
Cy Kaneshiro
Cello ‘Iolani School
Violin Mililani High
Trombone & Electric Guitar Kapolei High
Trombone Roosevelt High
Erin Kawamura
Jeannie Kim
Swan Kim
Albert Ko
Trombone Mid-Pacific Institute
Clarinet Kalani High
Viola Punahou
Viola Punahou
Riya Krishnagopalan
Hannah Kwak
Jibhum “Donald” Lee
Flora Liao
Violin Punahou
Viola ‘Iolani School
Cello Punahou
Flute ‘Iolani School
Brian Lim
Nanami Mata
Matthew Meinert
Anna Motohashi
Violin Kalani High
Percussion Kaiser High
Horn Kalāheo High
Flute Kalani High
Kyle Nakagawa
Lily Nomura
Jason Okutani
Lacey Park
Tenor Saxophone Punahou
Violin Punahou
Flute Hawai‘i Baptist Academy
Violin Kalani High
CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2026!
Chloe Petilos
Alexis Phansaithong
Chloe Madison Quiddaoen
Kolleen Roessig
Violin Kaiser High
Violin Moanalua High
Bass Moanalua High
Violin Homeschool
Zachary Rooks
Paisley Sagadraca
Isabella Santos
Malina Sautter
Trumpet Kalāheo High
Cello Mililani High
Cello Roosevelt High
Oboe Kalāheo High
Daniel Schoen
Max Shinno
Sevastyan Swan
Arabella Tan
Cello Punahou
Violin Punahou
Violin Homeschool
Harp ‘Iolani School
Rylan Terayama
Eva Tramuto
Trinity Vong
Lulu Wang
Violin Punahou
Horn Pearl City High
Percussion Hawai‘i Baptist Academy
Viola Punahou
YiJia Wang
Jessica-Holly Wiemer
Nicholas Xu
Yoshiki “Justin” Yamada
Violin Kalani High
Flute Kalani High
Horn Kalani High
Clarinet ‘Iolani School
Christopher Yara
Qinglin “Charles” Ye
Ichiro Yeh
Eileen Zhang
Trumpet Kailua High
Flute Punahou
Violin ‘Iolani School
Violin Roosevelt High
Hawai‘i Youth Symphony Association 1350 South King Street, Suite 201 Honolulu, HI 96814
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE
CLASS OF 2026!
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