Acknowledgements
We are grateful to our community partners, whose generous support and special talents are invaluable to Hawai‘i Youth Symphony.
National Endowment for the Arts
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
Maui Arts & Cultural Center
Art Vento, President & CEO
Candace Croteau, Executive Vice President
Moira Pirsch, Education Director
Angel Emerson, Technical Director
Alex Groveman, Assistant Technical Director
Harrison Tatik, Audio Director
Aleah Makuakane, Senior Programs Manager
Maui Pops Orchestra
Cheryl Lindley, Executive Director
Maui Youth Philharmonic Orchestra
Iolani Yamashiro-Rahimi, President
Hawaiian Airlines
Maui Beach Hotel
Baldwin High School
Sharon Nakama, Band Director
Maui High School
Kerry Wasano, Band Director
Seabury Hall
Julia Golding, Band Director
Peter Della Croce, Music Faculty
Katrina Thompson, Harp
Accounting
KMH LLP
Evan Yamamoto
Robert Loke
Daniel Lott
Graphic Design Commuter Industries
Halekulani
Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra
Amy Iwano, President & CEO
Program Design
Mark Nakamura
Printing
Edward Enterprises
Sanford Morioka
Justin You
Public Relations
Becker Communications
Susan Wright
Taryn Wells
Laura Young
Social Media
Vibe Creative Marketing
Erica Mau-Schank
Jessica Nelson
Jasmine Nip-Palmer
University of Hawai‘i Music Department
Donald Womack, Chair
William Watson, Facility Coordinator
Jazz I Concert Parent
Volunteer
Wade Nobuhara
Youth Symphony I Maui Chaperones
Margret Arakaki
Melissa Blaisdell
Barney Brennan
Amy Carlson
Sylvia Flores
John Kovacich
Janet Maeshiro
Wade Nobuhara
Laura Peterson
Lawrence So
2024–2025 Board of Directors & Staff
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Erica Mau-Schank, Chair
Lauren Yoo, Vice Chair
Lorrin Hirano, Esq., Secretary
Collin Hoo, Treasurer
Directors
Sharon R. Himeno
Martin Hsia, Esq.
David Imanaka, Esq.
Richard Ing
Malcolm Lau
Michael Onofrietti
Aaron Salā
Jake Shimabukuro
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
Sylvia Flores, Development Coordinator
Brent Ramos, Receptionist
Veronica Cox, Music Librarian
FACULTY
Symphony Program
Joseph Stepec, Conductor, Youth Symphony I
Elton Masaki, Conductor, Youth Symphony II
Susan Ochi-Onishi, Conductor, Youth Symphony II
Wayne Fanning, Conductor, Concert Orchestra
Alexander Peña, Concert Orchestra
String Coach
Academy Program
Michael Lim, Conductor, String Orchestra Ensemble & Concert String Orchestra
Carissa Miyamoto, Conductor, Beginning String Ensemble & Intermediate String Ensemble
Stefanie Lawton, Beginning String Ensemble Cello Instructor
Sayuri Yamamoto, Beginning String Ensemble Bass Instructor
Brent Ramos, Academy Coordinator
Jazz Program
Dean Taba, Jazz Program Director
Ryan Howe, Jazz Conductor
Noel Okimoto, Jazz Conductor
Super Strings Program
Laurie Shimabukuro, Instructor
Music in the Clubhouse
Abraham “Abe” Lagrimas, Jr., Music4Kids Honolulu Instructor
Veronica Cox, Nānākuli Music4Kids Instructor
Daniel Kawaiʻaeʻa Shaver, Nānākuli Strings Instructor
Pacific Music Institute
Jeremy Lawi, General Manager
Joseph Stepec, Artistic Director
Ignace Jang, Solo & String Quartet Program Director
Richard Scerbo, Orchestral Learning Alliance
Dean Taba, Jazz Intensive Director
Message from the President
Aloha e, Maui friends!
We are thrilled and honored to return to Maui, to share in the joy of music, and the bonds it inspires in and throughout the community. Whether you are a keiki learning an instrument, an ‘ohana member, kūpuna, or friend who loves live music, this concert is for you. Our time on Maui this week—performances here at the MACC, and throughout Maui schools—are presented with the hopes and intents of educating, inspiring, and extending opportunities for young people and the communities they call home.
I personally find it inspirational (but not surprising) how celebrated the arts are among the Maui community. Afterall, a community who lives and breathes with a dynamic arts & cultural scene is one who can reflect, interpret, and thrive through difficult times. Music is a healing force, and a moral force.
Our concerts are made possible through the generous support of many, but in particular, we would like to acknowledge the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Orchestral Institute + Festival, the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, the Vilcek Foundation, and finally, the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Each of these organizations has made a strong commitment to supporting FREE access to music for the Maui community, and we are grateful to them for standing with us in our vision of A Hawaiʻi where Music Is A Right.
Thank you for your attendance today. Our HYS exists because of you!
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 $50,000 a year through its financial aid program. 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.
Special Guest Artists
Keola Beamer with Moanalani Beamer
Keola Beamer is a Hawaiian legend. He has breathed new life into slack key guitar music yet stays true to its deep Hawaiian roots. Winner of multiple awards, he is a singer-songwriter, composer, guitar master, and arranger, with an impeccable, gorgeous style that is featured on The Descendants soundtrack and his 17 CDs to date. As part of the Beamer ‘ohana inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame, Keola was one of the first to use slack key techniques to create contemporary Hawaiian music that is equally at home on the concert stage. He receives high praise from his musical peers:
”Keola Beamer’s [slack key] style is the best there is on the planet,” says Willie Nelson. And from Paul Simon: “He’s an exceptional musician, a very good player and beautiful singer… the spirit of the island….” Beamer’s wife, kumu hula Moanalani Beamer, adds her beautiful hula, chant, and the exquisite sounds of traditional Hawaiian instruments to the performance. Together Keola & Moana present the excellence, true spirit, and soul of Hawaiian music and dance.
Keola and Moanalani Beamer’s appearance is made possible by the generous support of The Vilcek Foundation.
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 Hawai‘i 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 Hawai‘i, 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 Hawaii to very favorable reviews. As the Director of Orchestral Activites at the Hawai‘i 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 Waikīkī Shell and Blaisdell Concert Hall. His work with the Hawai‘i 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 17, 2025 • 4:00pm
Maui Arts & Cultural Center
Youth Symphony I
Joseph Stepec, Conductor
Star Spangled Banner words by Francis Scott Key music by John Stafford Smith
Hawai’i Pono‘ī words by King David Kalākaua music by Captain Henri Berger
Romeo & Juliet Overture Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky
Jazz I
Dean Taba, Director
Relaxin' at Camarillo Charlie Parker
Youth Symphony I & Jazz I with Special Guest Artists, Keola & Moanalani Beamer
Oli Aloha Keola Beamer, arr. Matt Catingub
Pō Mahina Keola Beamer, arr. Matt Catingub
The Beauty of Mauna Kea Keola Beamer, arr. Matt Catingub
‘Ūlili Ē Keola Beamer, arr. Matt Catingub
Honolulu City Lights Keola Beamer, arr. Matt Catingub
INTERMISSION (15 min)
Youth Symphony I & Maui County Side-by-Side
Royalty Overture Angel Peña
Youth Symphony I
Selections from Symphony No. 5 in d minor
I. Moderato
IV. Allegro non troppo
Dmitri Shostakovich
Violin I
Eric Camacho
Preston Chi
Leia Choi
Ymin Guo
Ashley Jisue Hong
Jayden Kim
Vance Maeshiro, Co-Concertmaster
Aya Okimoto
Max Shinno
Kaitlyn Sim
Sevastyan Swan, Co-Concertmaster
Gwyneth Tenn
Violin II
Nicholas Chi
Flora Elham
Elizabeth Fink
Yanling Guo
Kai Im
Coco Kim
Riya Krishnagopalan
Victor Lee
Lily Nomura
Christopher Oyama
Alexis Phansaithong
Sage Shiroma
Maria Swan
Katherine Wu
Daniel Yoo
Youth Symphony I
Viola
Hyunwoo Chang
Haaon Cho
Eun Ha
Sophie Kaiser
Swan Kim
Albert Ko
Hannah Kwak
Kyla Miyamoto
Gray Nauwelaerts
Lulu Wang
Cello
Anson Akemoto
Dylan Kalā Campuspos
Sophia Chan
Leiyao Chang
Ashlyn Ito
Ian Jun
Jibhum Lee
Lucas Sanford
Reese Walther
Bryan Wood
Jodie Wung
Taigo Yuen
Bass
Seitaro Kobayashi
Isabelle Morita
Joshua Wung
Harp
Arabella Tan
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 2024–2025 season, YSI is composed of 84 students, grades 9–12, from 18 public, home and independent schools across O’ahu. This year, YSI has two co-concertmasters. Vance Maeshiro, a senior from ‘Iolani, and Sevastyan Swan, an eleventh grade Homeschool student. Students rotate seating for each piece.
Flute
Hope Bayudan
Flora Liao
Henry Rhee
Jessica-Holly Wiemer
Oboe
Kenton Chan
Maya Hokada
Sara Inao
Ayaka Yoshii
Clarinet
Yuto Kawaguchi
Jeannie Kim
Ellie Obara
Aiden Taheri
Bassoon
Daniel Kim
Spencer Lyau
Horn
Jake Miyakawa
Kobe Miyamasu
Maiah Oba
Nicholas Williams
Nicholas Xu
Trumpet
Kyle Ehara
Grace Hagino
Paige Kawana
Christopher Yara
Trombone
Kolten Hamana
Jae Koo
Andrew Li
Tuba
Xyon-La'Jount Jury
Percussion
Camden Funai
Mani Kovacich
Carter Nobuhara
Ian Pak
Maui Students
Performing with YSI
Frida Boeker, Violin
Zachary Bush, Trumpet
Tala Patao, Viola
Avery Pendergraft, Cello
Lucia Romero, Violin
Saxophones
Desmond Mauer
Maxwell Chin
Electric Guitar
Broderick Nakasone
Eli Wolf
Bass Guitar
Johann Machida
Drum Set
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 Shimabukuro, 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 the Jazz Program
A relatively new HYS program, HYS Jazz celebrates its fifth 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/. Registration for HYS Jazz usually begins in early July.
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
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.
Ben D’Haiti
Trumpeter Ben J. D’Haiti is pursuing his Bachelor of Music degree at the Shepherd School of Music, studying with Barbara Butler. This past summer, he was a fellow at the National Orchestral Institute, where the orchestra went on tour to the Ravinia in Chicago, Illinois. Additionally, in the summer of 2022, Ben was a fellow at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, CA. Shortly preceding that fellowship, Ben also performed a recital at Carnegie Hall in New York, NY, performing Trumpet Concerto by Alexander Arutiunian, and a selection of jazz ballads. Before attending the Shepherd School of Music, Ben was a youth fellow at the National Symphony Orchestra, studying with Tom Cupples. There, he was selected to record Trumpet Concerto in E-Flat Major by Franz Joseph Haydn with NPR’s From the Top Radio show. Ben is originally from the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area, and started trumpet at age 11.
Aiden Keiser
Aiden Keiser, a native of Texas is pursuing a B.M degree at Indiana University in Tuba Performance under the direction of Daniel Perantoni. Aiden joined the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra as Principal Tuba in 2023 and has performed with the Owensboro Philharmonic Orchestra. Notable summer music festivals include the National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute in Washington, D.C. and the National Orchestral Institute and Festival at the University of Maryland.
Iona Pay
Iona Pay is a British-American freelance musician performing across Southern California with the Santa Monica Symphony, the Southern California Brass Consortium, the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, and other ensembles. She also performs in opera and musical pits, chamber ensembles and studio sessions in Los Angeles and San Diego.
Passionate about brass chamber music, Iona attended the 2019 American Brass Quintet Seminar at the Aspen Music Festival, and the inaugural National Brass Ensemble Academy at SFCM in 2022. Most recently, she was a finalist for the 2023-24 Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Fellowship, and co-founded the Los Angeles Brass Alliance in 2023 to platform emerging professional brass musicians.
Iona has been invited to study at Domaine Forget De Charlevoix International Music Festival and Eastern Music Festival, and was offered an orchestral fellowship with The Orchestra Now in 2022. She was a finalist for the 2023–24 Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Fellowship, and is a substitute musician for the New World Symphony's 2024–25 season. Iona also attended the 2024 National Orchestral Institute as an Orchestral Fellow.
Iona received her bachelor’s in Horn Performance from the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music in 2022, where she simultaneously earned her bachelor’s in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics.
Iona is currently pursuing an on-the-ground education in arts entrepreneurship and performance from freelancing in Los Angeles, and studies privately with the Associate Principal of the New York Philharmonic, Richard Deane. In parallel to her musical career, Iona also enjoys her work in biotechnology strategy and genomics.
Guest Artist with NOI+F
Gabral Cruz
Gabe Cruz joined the Honolulu Brass Quintet in the spring of 2024. Additionally, Gabe serves as the euphonium player for the Royal Hawaiian Band and as acting Associate Principal Trombonist with the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra. Originally from Oakland California, Gabe was an active performer and educator in the Bay Area for over a decade, performing regularly with the San Francisco Symphony, Opera, and Ballet orchestras. He has also performed with the Chicago Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, and Virginia Symphony.
Gabe’s love for both chamber and orchestral music is evident in his extensive touring across the United States, Europe, and South America with various ensembles. As an educator, he is dedicated to sharing his expertise, having taught at numerous schools and youth programs.
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 2024–2025 season, and we regret any errors or omissions have been made.
Ahuimanu Elementary School
‘Aiea Intermediate School
‘Āina Haina Elementary School
Alaka‘i O Kaua‘i PCS
Āliamanu Elementary School
Assets School
Castle High School
Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School
Eckstein Middle School
Einstein Middle School
Enlightium Academy
Ft. Shafter Elementary School
Hanahau‘oli School
Hawaii Baptist Academy
Hawai‘i Technology Academy
Hawaiian Mission Academy
Hickam Elementary School
Highlands Intermediate School
Hilo High School
Hilo Intermediate School
Homeschool
Hongwanji Mission
Honouliuli Middle School
‘Iolani School
Island Pacific Academy
Isobe Junior High School
iUniversity Prep
Jarrett Middle School
Jefferson Elementary School
Juana Briones Elementary School
Ka Waihona o ka Na‘auao PCS
Kāhala Elementary School
Kahuku High School
Kahuku Intermediate School
Kailua High School
Kailua Intermediate School
Kaimuki Christian
Kaimukī Middle School
Kaiser High School
Kalāheo High School
Kalani High School
Kamehameha Schools—Hawai'i
Kamehameha Schools—Kapālama
Kapolei High School
Kapolei Middle School
Kawānanakoa Middle School
King Intermediate School
Kulia Academy
La Pietra
Lanakila Baptist Middle School
Lanikai Elementary School
Le Jardin Academy
Liholiho Elementary School
Lincoln Middle School
Lunalilo Elementary School
Mānoa Elementary School
Mary, Star of the Sea School
Maryknoll School
Maui Waena Middle School
Mauka Lani Elementary School
McKinley High School
Mid-Pacific Institute
Mililani High School
Mililani Ike Elementary School
Mililani Mauka Elementary School
Mililani Middle School
Moanalua Elementary School
Moanalua High School
Moanalua Middle School
Momilani Elementary School
Myron B. Thompson
Nānāikapono Elementary School
Niu Valley Middle School
Noelani Elementary School
Nuuanu Elementary School
Palisades Elementary School
Pauoa Elementary School
Pearl City High School
Pullman High School
Punahou School
Radford High School
Roosevelt High School
Royal Elementary School
Sacred Hearts Academy
Sage Hill School
Saint Louis School
Salt Lake Elementary School
SEEQS
St. Andrew’s Priory
St. George‘s Classical Academy
St. Mark Lutheran School
Stevenson Middle School
The King's Academy
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa University Laboratory PCS
Waiākea High School
Waiākea Intermediate School
Wai‘alae School PCS
Wai‘anae High School
Waikīkī Elementary School
Waimānalo Elementary and Intermediate School
Waipahu High School
Waipahu Intermediate School
Waolani Judd N. School
Washington Middle School
Wilson Elementary School
Mahalo to Our Donors
Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony deeply appreciates these contributions made between January 1, 2024, and January 23, 2025. Gifts of all sizes make a big difference and help us work towards achieving our vision of a Hawaiʻi where Music is A Right. Please let us know if we have made any accidental errors or omissions by emailing our team at development@hiyouthsymphony.org.
$25,000 and above
Altres, Inc.
Cades Foundation
Carnegie Hall (PlayUSA)
Erica & Aaron Mau-Schank
First Hawaiian Bank Foundation
George Mason Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation
Kosasa Foundation / ABC Stores
Lorrin Hirano & Ohana
Maurice and Joanna Sullivan Family Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
Stephen & Gloria Gainsley
The Al Sherman Foundation
$10,000 to $24,999
Action Realty Corporation
Alan Stockton
Alika & Tanya Mau
Benjamin Cayetano
Brushfire Records, Inc.
Cooke Foundation, Limited
Ginny Tiu
Hawaii Community Foundation
Jean and William K. H. Mau Foundation
Jean Tsukamoto
John R. Halligan Charitable Fund
Johnson Ohana Foundation
Lauren Yoo
Louise and Y.T. Lum Foundation
Serendipity II Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation
Sheridan and Julia Ing Family Foundation
The Arthur and Mae Z. Orvis Foundation
The Vilcek Foundation, INC
Thomas & Mi Kosasa
$5,000 to $9,999
Avalon Commercial, LLC
Carlton & Elsie Gushiken
Cathy Monseur
Steve & Georgia Wong
Halekulani Corporation
Henry and Colene Wong Foundation
Island Insurance Foundation
Jillson Fleener
John & Clifford Mirikitani Foundation
Karl & Alice Blade
Steven & Marilyn Katzman
Martin & Danna Hsia
Pacific Property Group, Inc.
Randy Wong & Dr. Helen Liu
RMA Architects Inc.
Robert Saracco
Kenneth Fink & Robin Kobayashi
Taylor-White Charitable Fund
The Resort Group
$2,500 to $4,999
Alan & JoAnn Arizumi
Aloha United Way
American Resort Development Association
Collin Hoo
David & Nicole Imanaka
Princess Dialta Alliata
Foodland Super Market, Ltd.
Honolulu Chamber Music Series
Island Insurance Companies
Jason Mraz Foundation
Mitchell & Marie Imanaka
Masaki School of Music
Michael J. Y. & Terrina Wong
The Dods Foundation
The Ebbtide Family Fund
$1,000 to $2,499
Anonymous
Allen Murabayashi
Barney Brennan & Autumn Woods
Becker Communications, Inc.
Ron Siu & Beth Tamayose
Bob Hayashi
Chelsea Maeda
Colleen Hanabusa
Cory Beall
D'Addario Foundation
Daniel & Mia Kim
Daniel & Linda Momohara
Darlene Abt
Diane Weissman
Gaylord & Carol Wilcox
Harrison Miyahira
HDG, INC.
Herbert & Nancy Conley
Hyunjong Koo
Janet Cooke
Jason Tokunaga
Jean McIntosh
Kenneth Matsuura
Kerry Kim
Lee Oung
LPL Financial
Malcolm S. & Carol Koga
Patti Look
Peter Grossman & Cathy Ching
Pikake Foundation
Richard & Susan Ing
Richard Malins
Ritchie & Sunny Mudd
Roselle Chin
Ross Murakami
Schwab Charitable Fund
Steven & Pamela Nishi
Takumi Family Fund
Terrence White
U.S Charitable Gift Trust
Wendy Umino
Dr. & Mrs. Wilfred Miyasaki
Yan Yang Gao
$500 to $999
Anonymous (3)
Amy A. Taniguchi
Audrey Mueh
Ayako Iwata
Bill Holowecki
Carmen Di Amore-Siah
Chad Sakumoto
Chris & Jadine Nielsen
Foodland Give Aloha
FundDevelopment Group
George I. Nagao
George Wellington, Jr.
Heidi Hahn
Izumi Rhee
Jaewon Choi
John Noland
John Yamano
Joyce Torrey
Justin V. Redona
Karen Stockton
Karen Takemoto
Mark Verrey
Maylani Chang
Michael & Amy Onofrietti
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Monica Chan
Monsicha Dinh
Nina Hayashi
Rachel Schultz
Sharelle Ito
Sharon R. Himeno & Warren
Price III
Stephen Ko
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Thomas & Maureen Shimabuku
Thomas Shigeta
Valerie Yee
Wade Nobuhara & Cecile
Sebastian
Walter Nobuhara
Yi-Chuan Ching
Yong Li Li
$100 to $499
Anonymous (5)
Alfred E. Makino
Alicia Moy
Alison Lihalakha
Allen Won
Donald & Amanda Pump
America's Charities
Amy H. Mitsuda
Andrea Snyder
Ann Botticelli
Ann Castelfranco
Ann Doike
April K. Y. Leong
Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund
Barbara J. Cargill
Ben Gutierrez & Christopher Korsak
Benjamin Marx
Bob Fissell
Bonny Amemiya
Brenda Tang
Brenda Teranishi
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Burr McCutcheon
Byron Kelly
Carl Matsuura
Carl Yee & Mary Wong
Carol Aki
Carol S. Heape
Carolann Biederman
Carolyn Hong
Carolyn Ing
Castle & Cooke Resorts, LLC
Keola Warren & Chanel Shiraishi
Cheryl Kojima
Chester J. Malins
Chester Kaneshiro
Clara Kim
Clifford Char
Cori Mackie
Craigside Retirement Residence
Cyrinthia Richards
Daniel Chun
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David Lum
David Masunaga
David Miyasaki
David Nako
David Yang
Dean & Sharene Taba
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Dennis W. Randall
Diana Choy
DJ Wong
Donald R. Womack
Dorette Luke
Doris Ogawa
Dr. Richard Kennedy & Mr. Steven Prieto
Earl Kim
Edward Masunaga
Elaine Chang
Elizabeth Hale
Elton Masaki
Ernest Hanaumi
Esther Cartoon
Eugenia W. Ng
Eujeania Hwang
Evan Yamamoto
Fidelity Charitable
Frances E. Oshita
Frank Hook
Frederick Harris
Fumiko Wellington
Gary Batungbacal
Hannah Watanabe
Helen K. Higa
Henry Miyamura & Elizabeth Coraggio
Henry O'Neill
Henry Tokunaga
Howard Jr & Jayne Kim
Ignace & Chris Jang
Iris Huang
James F. Moffitt
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James Lin
James S. Howard
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Janna Wong
Jean Kirschenmann
Jean Toma
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Jennifer Battle
Jennifer Lau
Jennifer Miyahira
Jennifer Oyer
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Jingjing Wang
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Jodi Goh
Joe Stepec
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John & Camile Devlin
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Jonathan Wung
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Josephine Kaiser
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Jung Nam Lee
Kamuela Kahoano
Kapiolani Street
Karyn Komatsu
Kathleen (Kay) Mattos
Kathryn Inouye
Kathryn MacDowell
Kathyrnn Raymond
Kay J. Newnam
Keita Hirashima
Keith Muraoka
Kendrick Y. Au
Kenneth Jim
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Kurtis Im
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Lance Oba
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Laurene Taira
Leah Chun
Leah Lee
Lealei Magat-Hino
Leo Nakano
Leslie Baxter Eaton
Leslie Ikawa
Lila Yee
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Lucky Tree Fund
Ly Nguyen
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Lynne Johnson
Marc Isobe
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Marie Tai
Marvin Taba
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Melvin K. Wong
Meredith & Norma Maeda
Merle N. Bratlie
Merwyn Lee
Michael Hee
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Mildred E. Uegawachi
Ming Peng
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Miyeko S. Hashimoto
Dr. Mohamed Wong
Mr. Grant Ito & Ms. JoAnn Yosemori
Myrtle Kaneshiro
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Nancy K. Sonoda
Nate Lam
Noe Baladad
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One Kalakaua Senior Living
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Owen Sekimura
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Paula Ho
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Pranita Suvarna
R. Dougal Crowe
Randall Hee
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The Hon. Richard Perkins
Robert E. Black Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation
Dr. & Mrs. Robert G. Peters
Robert Schornstheimer
Robert Shinoda
Robert Weiner
Robert Wong
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Su-Jie (Nam) Hong
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Suji Cho
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Tamae Shiraishi
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Target Foundation
Tilden Osako
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Valerie Coryell
Van Lu
Van M. Goto
Velma C. Akinaka
Velma Lee
Vivien Tham
Wayne Kawamura
William E. Seehafer
William T. Oshima
Yumiko Ueda
Yuxuan Yang
$1 to $99
Anonymous (2)
Aileen Gushiken
Alan Nakasone
Alyssa Kawamura
Andrew S. Tanji
Anthony Wong
Ayari Tochika
Barry & Wendy Kikuno
Betty Ohigashi
Brandon Kamigaki
Brent F. Ramos
C. Mike Kido
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Calvin T. Hamada
Catherine Camp
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Christine Ewing
Claire Sakai-Hazzard
Clifford Okumoto
David Anderson
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David Y. Cho
Diane Morimoto
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Dustin Ebesu
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Evan Dobelle
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Gaye Humphrey
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Gladys H. Young
Glenn Fernandez
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Ira Tagawa
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Jeffrey Mishler
Jennie Li
Jeremy Lawi
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Judith A. Mick
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Kenneth Hashi
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LaSaundra Belcher
Lauren Sergent
Lawrence Lau
Leona Kamoku
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Lily Chu
Lloyd Lim
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Marissa Ross
Thom & Mary Ellen E. Williams
Mary Lou Chai
Michael Lyman
Michelle N. Ige
Mike Boomsma
Mitzi Maeshiro
Nainoa Mau
Nancy Halevi
Nelson Lau
Nicole Ward
Patti Horio
Philip Brown
Pledgeling Foundation
Rachel Odo
Rafael Borges Amaral
Robert Boruchowitz
Rosanna Lucero
Ruby Arii
Shinogu Sato
Susan Imai
Tertia Freas
Thu Nguyen
Vicki Soo Hoo
Tributes
In Memory of Geoffrey Au By Kendrick & Joy Au By Randy Wong & Helen Liu
In Memory of Gladys Hirano By Lorrin Hirano & Ohana By Kathyrnn Raymond By Randy Wong & Helen Liu
In Memory of Yujen E. Hsia By Martin Hsia
In Honor of Andrew Li By Yong Li Li
In Honor of Bradley T. Hamada by Calvin T. Hamada
In Honor of Chelsea Maeda By Meredith & Norma Maeda
In Honor of Dean K. Taba By Noel Okimoto By Robert Shinoda
In Honor of Gray Nauwelaerts By Joan Carlson
In Honor of Hannah Watanabe By Jennifer Oyer
In Honor of Jaymes Lau By Karyn Lau
In Honor of Kenton Chan By Monica Chan
In Honor of Kyle Ehara By Kenneth Sumiye
In Honor of Lauren Dods By The Dods Foundation
In Honor of Lorrin Hirano By Colleen Hanabusa
In Honor of Mari Kohara By Dennis Kohara
In Honor of Matthew K. Meinert By Roslyn Meinert
In Honor of Sophie Kaiser By Josephine Kaiser
In Honor of Randy Wong By Patricia Takemoto By Rochelle Uchibori
In Honor of Sarah M. Wilson By Daniel Wilson
In Honor of The Class of 2024 By Randy Wong & Helen Liu
