Generating good will in the community and providing a memorable experience for both Hawaii Youth Symphony graduates and kupuna, HYS developed a “Senior to Senior” care package to help bring the joy of music to senior day centers and care homes across Hawaii.
Volunteers from the HYS graduating class helped assemble the packages and wrote letters to the seniors. These good will messages accompanied DVDs featuring HYS performances, information on how care communities can connect with more performances online, and assorted goodies. Graduates with a personal connection to certain communities or residents hand delivered the packages. Additionally, HYS connected with Hongwanji community centers thoughout the state.
In-Person Learning Makes Return
Hawaii Youth Symphony recently welcomed back our first students to our hybrid learning program. This approach has been thoughtfully developed with the health of all students and faculty in mind. While our virtual opportunities have created an even larger Hawaii Youth Symphony community, our students and faculty were thrilled to once again play and listen to live music. HYS is grateful to the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts for graciously permitting temporary use of Honolulu Hale as a majestic rehearsal space.
These moving gestures connecting generations left a memorable impression on everyone involved. As a special mahalo to HYS, one community in Kapolei was inspired to donate lei for all the HYS 2021 seniors, providing over 60 lei handmade by the kupuna. HYS looks forward to a return to bringing live music to these wonderful communities in the near future.
L to R: Justin Sato, Raiden Bernal & Tyler Kam (perc ensemble made up of class of 2021 percussionist)
Kupuna at Ilima at Leihano donated more than 60 handmade lei to HYS seniors
Care home residents enjoyed special gifts from HYS
HYS Students packed boxes for delivery to kupuna
President’s Message Randy Wong
We are incredibly proud of our 2021 senior class, and inspired by their focus, resilience, and optimism in the face of unique challenges. They gracefully transitioned into new territory with our virtual learning, as well as a gradual return to in-person
instruction, all without missing a beat.
Their spirit of volunteerism was also at play with our “Senior to Senior” outreach initiative, connecting HYS seniors with kupuna across Hawaii. Given the many restrictions that have been so profoundly felt by these age groups —with kupuna isolated from loved ones, and young people having to forgo traditional celebrations and ceremonies—a chance for generations to connect through the universal language of music perfectly capped the season.
As we reflect on the accomplishments of these amazing students, we understand that many talented teachers are at the heart of their journeys. Mahalo to the HYS faculty for the unwavering encouragement and investment in these bright futures. We are also humbled by the many wonderful partners in our community who have supported opportunities for the students to learn and grow.
While it is with mixed emotions that we bid a heartfelt aloha to our graduates, we are thrilled for what’s ahead as they embark on their next adventures.
Congratulations Class of 2021!
Board of Directors
Chair: Patti Look
Vice Chair: Sharon R. Himeno
Secretary: Erica Mau
Treasurer: Mary Ellen Williams
Directors: Alan Arizumi, Collin Hoo, Martin Hsia, Richard K. Ing, Tina Lau, Malcolm Lau, Michael Onofrietti, Geoffrey S. Sewell, M.D., Jake Shimabukuro, Jean Tsukamoto
Leadership Team
President: Randy Wong
Director of Orchestral Activities: Joseph Stepec
Director of Operations: Aris Doike
Director of Advancement: Rudy Rückmann
Opportunities Granted
Randy
Rudy Rückmann
As Hawaii Youth Symphony resumes small in-person student rehearsals, a generous grant of $100,000 has been awarded to Hawaii’s only statewide music education organization by The Clarence T. C. Ching Foundation. A socially distanced check presentation was held on April 18, 2021, in a spacious Honolulu warehouse loaned to HYS for safely distanced rehearsals.
At a particularly vital time following financial strains placed on local families throughout 2020, the grant will support HYS outreach programs and performances that broaden access to music education and opportunity in rural, neighbor island, and under-served communities. Funds will also supplement HYS financial aid and scholarship programs, as well as tuition for more students in need this summer as HYS readies its Pacific Music Institute, an outstanding music camp with a more than 30-year tradition.
“Supporting the efforts of the Hawaii Youth Symphony to open enriching learning opportunities to more students across our islands aligns with the mission of The Foundation,” said The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation Executive Director, Tertia Freas, “The spirit of collaboration that playing in music ensembles requires helps advance the capabilities and self-confidence of young people.”
If you’re interested in supporting Hawaii Youth Symphony visit hiyouthsymphony.org/donate or contact Director of Advancement, Rudy Rückmann at rudy@hiyouthsymphony.org.
Front row: HYS students Erin Nishi and Sewon Park. Middle row: HYS student Stephanie Yoshida; Foundation Executive Director Tertia Freas; Foundation Trustees Cathy Ching, Elizabeth Hokada, and Ken Okamoto; HYS student Aubrey Danko. Back row: HYS Director of Orchestral Activities Joe Stepec; HYS President
Wong; HYS Director of Advancement
Photo Credit: Dennis Oda
To learn more about our 2021 HYS Seniors, visit our website at hiyouthsymphony.org/class-of-2021
Kai Abergas
Erika Agena
Raiden Bernal
Mia Caliri
Fay Cordeiro
Maile Corso
Aubrey Danko
Micaela Diaz-Paez
Valentina Diaz-Paez
Kiana Ejercito
Cameron Enomoto
Jacob Evans
Chazz Gaspar
Mark Gorospe
Mira Hu
Yukiko Hughes
Mayuko Ikeda
Brin Jaffe
Tyler Kam
Ryder Kaya
Kody Kikuno
Andrew Kim
Tiffany-Ryan Kusano
Marissa Kwon
Vinny Langit
Making music is a right, not a privilege.
Cora Lau
Matthew Li
Naiya Lim
Tess Lim Jurich
Alissa Mabini
Shlok Maharjan
Kainoa Maruoka
Erin Matsushita
Jonah Miyashiro
Erin Nishi
Kaitlyn Nohara
Sewon Park
Levin So
Andrew Su
Akiko Tajima
Lauryn Takanishi
Elizabeth Talioaga
Marlon Velasco
Robert Wiemer
Aiden Woodard
Sandra Xiao
Stephanie Yoshida
Chloe Yoshihiro
Jake Yoshimura
Hana Yoshizawa
HYS Alumni Continue
Growth as World-Class Professionals
Established in the same year as Hawaii Youth Symphony (1964), the U.S Presidential Scholars Program honors graduating seniors who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, and contribution to school and community. In 2016, Punahou School students Michael Chen and Eileen Liu, and Mililani High School student Joseph Fujinami, were selected for the 52nd class of U.S. Presidential Scholars— three of only 160 high school seniors nationwide. These tremendous Hawaii representatives were also together in Youth Symphony! As graduation season approaches once more, HYS checks in with the honorees:
A violinist, Joseph was a member of HYS for 10 years. He was selected as Concertmaster for the 2015-16 season, and played alongside world-renowned violinist Midori during her HYS residency. Joseph notes that music helped to expand his world view and appreciation for culture abroad. Following studies at the Architectural Association in London, Joseph is now an architect at the prestigious international firm, BIG—Bjarke Ingels Group—in Copenhagen. He enjoys continuing the violin with the University of Copenhagen Symphony Orchestra.
Reflecting on his HYS experience, Joseph said, “I really enjoyed time together with friends on our neighbor island trips. We had so many wonderful conversations and fun backstage at our concerts.”
Michael Chen performing Rhapsody in Blue with YSI
Friendships formed through HYS also stand out for Michael, particularly when he played clarinet with YSI accompanying his friend and pianist, Yun Chang, in a breathtaking performance of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” Currently a student at the Stanford University School of Medicine, Michael shares that music was a big part of his life growing up—whether through HYS, school ensembles, or listening to “Young Artist in Residence” on NPR each morning. “These avenues of music provided me with many role models, from whom I learned how the intermingling of hard work, teamwork, and self-expression can create beautiful music.”
Preparing for concerts taught Eileen healthy habits and how to communicate with others. Small mishaps, like a broken string or a gust of wind sweeping sheet music off the stands, underscored the importance of adapting and of staying confident in her own skills. One of her fondest HYS memories involved a young child from the audience of a Listen & Learn concert coming to the stage to conduct the symphony. Said Eileen, “Seeing them gradually relax and grow comfortable on stage while connecting with the music filled me with joy, and reminded me why I love to play.”
Currently working as a health manager at an internal medicine office in Hawaii, Eileen will attend Boston University School of Medicine next year. When asked about HYS’ vision to Make Music A Right, she poignantly noted, “Whether it be the chirping of birds in the morning or a child’s lullaby at night, we are all born into music. We should all have a right to produce and understand it.”
HYS Na Mele Receives Award of Excellence!
Hawaii Youth Symphony has been honored with the Communicator Awards’ highest recognition in the Film/Video Fundraising category. The Award of Excellence was presented for our Na Mele 2020 televised and streamed production, developed in partnership with Hawaii News Now, Hawaii Tourism Japan, and many wonderful sponsors and supporters. Mahalo to our HYS students, faculty, staff and board for their creativity and collective efforts in creating this award-winning event!
