The Pacific Music Institute returned this July for its best summer yet! With thoughtful planning, PMI emerged with a fully in-person program for 2022. Over 270 students participated—including several from the neighbor islands and continent—surpassing pre-pandemic enrollment numbers!
The week-long intensive in July was held at the spacious Hawaii Convention Center, offering Solo & String Quartet, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, the Jazz Intensive, and the Ukulele Workshop.
Director-nominated students were also invited to participate in the PMI Middle School Honor Band.
PMI’s comprehensive curriculum exposed students to a variety of learning styles including sectionals, rehearsals, masterclasses performances and more. Through these styles of teaching, participants developed technical skills, confidence, adaptability, and musicality. Students spent the week making music and friends, while developing skills that extend far beyond the rehearsal room and concert hall.
“To have PMI 2022 back to its full summer music camp experience was so special. With our range of offerings, we got to see a lot of students break out of their shells and really enjoy the creative, intensive environment at PMI that you don’t always get to experience during the school year.”
-Maestro Joseph Stepec, HYS Director of Orchestral Activities & PMI Artistic Director
PMI Oboe Students with Susan Ochi-Onishi
PMI Ukulele Workshop Students
Maestro Joseph Stepec leads PMI Orchestra rehearsal
President’s Message Randy Wong
"Music is the tool to express life and all that makes a difference."
- Herbie Hancock
Since last July, the dedicated staff, partners and supporters of Hawaii Youth Symphony and Pacific Music Institute have worked tirelessly to plan one of the most exceptional summer music programs that Hawaii has ever seen. We have an amazing team of individuals— musicians, teachers, administrators, event organizers, students, and donors—who make all that we do possible.
I’d also like to take a moment to thank our partners, whose services allow us to focus on doing what we do best—developing youth through orchestral music. Mahalo to Hawaii News Now, Consolidated Theatres, KCCN/KINE, Vibe Creative Marketing, and Becker Communications, Inc. for helping us share how Hawaii’s students can have access to high-quality, life changing music education.
In all we do, we hope to inspire young musicians to reach their full potential. Through holding programs such as Pacific Music Institute, we’ve learned that we are often equally, if not more, inspired by our students’ passion, ability, and drive.
As we close the chapter on PMI 2022, I would like to say mahalo to all of our donors for their tremendous support. Your generosity made it possible for our students to have an incredible summer! Thank you and onward to PMI 2023!
Community Supporters: Breaking Down Barriers
Our generous donors provide funds that break down financial and geographic barriers for students, allowing them to participate in programs that help them to excel not only in music, but in life as well. Research has shown that youth participation in music often results in outcomes such as high attendance, high academics, high achievement and high self-awareness. Our donors help us to advance music’s role within our community, using it as a driver for social change.
These wonderful contributions provided financial aid for over 40 students, representing all PMI programs. HYS was able to serve Title I schools and neighbor island communities, advance its outreach to Nanakuli and Molokai, and to provide Kama’āina discounts—so that all students were empowered to participate in PMI without financial barriers. The investment resulted in increased enrollment from other islands and allowed Middle School Honor Band members to attend the program for just $10.
The primary focus of the First Hawaiian Bank Foundation is enriching education opportunities for youth, improving the lives of others, building healthier communities, and invigorating life.
“We are proud to support the Hawaii Youth Symphony as we believe an education in music plays an important role in a child’s development. Improving access to experience arts and culture firsthand for all ages is an investment that will reap benefits for generations.”
-
Cameron Nekota, Executive Vice President and Division Manager, First Hawaiian Bank
If you’re interested in supporting Hawaii Youth Symphony, visit hiyouthsymphony.org/donate
Photo Credit: Dennis Oda
Student Opportunities: Learn & Play with the Best in the Nation
In 2019, Hawaii Youth Symphony first partnered with the National Orchestral Institute + Festival (NOI+F) to create the Orchestral Learning Alliance (OLA) at the Pacific Music Institute. This collaboration brings students, faculty, and alumni of the NOI+F to Honolulu to serve as teachers and mentors to Hawaii’s young orchestral musicians.
The University of Maryland’s NOI+F brings together aspiring orchestral musicians from across the country for a month of dynamic music-making and professional exploration. NOI+F recruits the finest young orchestral performers on the threshold of a professional career through a rigorous, cross-country audition process. Like PMI, participants work closely with faculty drawn from leading North American symphony orchestras and conservatories, gaining a strong network of musicians, teachers and supporters.
“In the summer of 2021, I had the great opportunity to participate in the NOI+F as a fellow, where I received intense orchestral and musical training from some of the best professional musicians in the world. Later that summer, I was invited to help out at HYS’ Pacific Music Institute as a teaching fellow and I did not hesitate to say yes as both NOI+F and HYS have done so much for my development as a musician.”
- Taiga Benito, NOI+F fellow and master’s student at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
Over the years, the partnership has expanded beyond the borders of Honolulu-based PMI. This season, HYS brought PMI teaching fellows into the communities of Molokai and Nānākuli.
“Being able to see talent developed as a teacher is one of the greatest gifts that you get. The partnership with MIME and HYS started about six years ago, and we’ve benefitted in so many ways through the resources made available in terms of access to expert-level instruction and performances, and these opportunities for our students to participate in experiences like PMI. We have an ongoing relationship that I hope will produce more and more great results for us.”
- Bob Underwood, head of the Molokai Instrumental Music Education Program
HYS Alums Awarded 2022 NOI+F Scholarships
NOI+F is comprised of the nation’s top young musicians led by acclaimed conductors. One of the most recent developments in its constantly-evolving partnership with HYS is an exchange program that provides deserving HYS students an opportunity to participate in the NOI+F on a full scholarship. This year, two alumni from HYS, Joshua Vierra and Chelsea Cline, were selected from hundreds of students across the country to participate in the rigorous summer program at the University of Maryland in 2022.
“We’re not just creating an opportunity for our teaching fellows to come here to Hawaii, but for alumni of the HYS program to come and be a part of NOI+F as well, and that was really exciting for us to inaugurate this past summer. This is great progress and we’re really just getting started. We’re always exploring new ways to develop our relationship with HYS to provide Hawaii’s young musicians with the same opportunities as those throughout the continental U.S.”
- Richard Scerbo, NOI+F Director
PMI Teaching Fellows, Jordan Watt (left) and Daniel Scoggins (right) visited and worked with music students on Molokai
PMI Teaching Fellows visited the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii Nānākuli Clubhouse
Randy Wong, Bob Underwood, Richard Scerbo, PMI teaching fellows and Molokai students
Making
music is a right, not a privilege.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: Finding Potential, Fostering Ability
The PMI Middle School Honor Band was made up of over 70 incoming seventh, eighth, and ninth graders, hailing from 14 schools across the state, including seven Title I schools. At its core, the Middle School Honor Band is an initiative focused on accessibility, inclusivity, and diversity, moving HYS forward in its vision to make music a right, not a privilege for youth in Hawaii and beyond. In partnership with the Oahu Band Directors Association, directors could nominate up to 10 students who demonstrate exemplary character, embodiment of school values, and technical musical ability.
Thanks to our donors, this program was offered to these students for a very nominal fee. All the students in the Middle School Honor Band exhibit great potential in music, but many do not have the means to participate regularly in music intensives and programs such as PMI.
“Hawaii hasn’t had an honor band since the pandemic started. This summer was a perfect way to build community again for all of our young students just starting their music journey. Our conductors Wayne Fanning, from Niu Valley Middle School, and Guy Lum, from Kawananakoa Middle School, did an amazing job working with the students and helping to establish human connections that have been sorely missed through this pandemic.”
- Jeremy Lawi, PMI General Manager
The Middle School Honor Band creates a path for young musicians who may not have thought a progression in music was even an option for them. It gives them a solid foundation that allows them to move up in music if they chose to do so. Once they find and grow that confidence in their playing ability, the possibilities are endless.
Middle School Honor Band students from different schools in Hawaii rehearsed at PMI 2022
HYS Board of Directors
Chair: Patti Look
Vice Chair: Sharon R. Himeno
Secretary: Erica Mau-Schank
Treasurer: Mary Ellen Williams
Directors: Alan Arizumi, Lorrin Hirano, Collin Hoo, Martin Hsia, Esq., David Imanaka, Esq.,
Richard K. Ing, Malcolm Lau, Michael Onofrietti, Aaron J. Salā, Geoffrey S. Sewell, M.D., Jake Shimabukuro, Jean Tsukamoto
President, Randy Wong
Pacific Music Institute
Kassi Hatakenaka, Admissions Coordinator
Ignace Jang, Solo & String Quartet
Jeremy Lawi, General Manager
Joseph Stepec, Artistic Director
Dean Taba, Jazz
PMI Solo & String Quartet Faculty
Brady Anderson, Cello
Eugene Chukhlov, Violin
Khullip Jeung, Violin
Jisun Kang, Violin
Parry Karp, Cello
Anne Leilehua Lanzilotti, Viola
Michael Lim, Violin
Dr. Helen Liu, Violin
Sorah Myung, Violin
Igor Veligan, Violin
Vicky Wang, Cello
PMI Symphony Orchestra Faculty
Tim Daniels, Winds
Holly Jenkins, Violin
Clara Kim, Violin
Zoe Martin-Doike, Viola
Markus Osterlund, Brass
Richard Scerbo, NOI+F Director
Daniel Scoggins, Teaching Fellow
Jordan Watt, Teaching Fellow
PMI Wind Ensemble Faculty
Grant Okamura, Conductor
Henry Fu, Conductor
Christopher Cabrera, Percussion
Alex Hayashi, Oboe
David Hirano, Saxophone
Aileen Kawakami, Flute
Marie Lickwar, French Horn
Tommy Morrison, Bassoon
Susan Ochi-Onishi, Oboe
Jahleel Smith, Low Brass
Casey Tamanaha, Trumpet
Melanie Yukumoto, Clarinet
PMI Jazz Intensive Faculty
Steve Treseler
PMI Ukulele Workshop Faculty
Kala’e Camarillo
Mika Kane
PMI Middle School Honor Band
Wayne Fanning, Conductor
Guy Lum, Conductor
A Tremendous Team!
As Pacific Music Institute 2022 ends on a high note, we wish to extend a huge mahalo to the dedicated staff of Hawaii Youth Symphony and PMI. As Hawaii’s largest summer music program, PMI takes countless hours of planning and coordination throughout the whole year!
We are incredibly grateful for their commitment to providing invaluable opportunities for the young people of Hawaii and beyond.
to our partners at Halekulani who provided accommodations for all of our visiting PMI faculty this year!
Mahalo
1350 S. King Street, Suite 201
Honolulu, HI 96814
World-Renowned Musicians Perform at PMI Faculty & Friends Concert
The talents of the PMI 2022 faculty, comprised of acclaimed soloists, principal players, and outstanding educators, were showcased at the PMI Faculty & Friends Concert on July 22. Tickets to the concert were available to the public, with PMI students invited to attend for free.
In addition to masterfully playing the music that many in the community know and love from classical to pop, the faculty also demonstrated exciting and innovative contemporary techniques, original compositions, and more for an evening of unforgettable, world-class performances across a variety of music genres. Bravo! Brava!
SSQ Faculty Igor Veligan, Khullip Jeung, Jisun Kang, Eugene Chukhlov
