Summer 2022 Newsletter

“Young

Summer 2022 Newsletter | Special Senior Edition

Stars” Shine this Summer

Hawaii Symphony Orchestra’s (HSO) Nā Hōkū 'Ōpio “Young Stars” returned for a 2nd year! The competition invites local seniors to showcase their talent on a larger scale. Congratulations to Hawaii Youth Symphony’s very own Matin Boulos, Noah Chang, Emily Fujii, Elvis Imamura, and Austin Jim who are among the six senior students this year to be awarded the distinguished opportunity to play solo repertoire with HSO during its annual Starlight Series.

Serving on the boards of HYS and HSO, Richard Ing shares a perspective from both organizations—and along with his three sisters, was once an HYS student himself. “There are so many extremely talented musicians in the various high school programs that are under the radar,” said Ing. “Young Stars showcases these musicians on a major stage–the Waikiki

Young Stars Honorees Austin Jim, Noah Chang, Elvis Imamura and Matin Boulos performed in the HSO Ohana Concerts at the Waikiki Shell Shell. I’m a big sports fan, so this is akin to high school All-Stars having the opportunity to practice and play with the local professional team! What can be better than that? Like any team sport, playing in an orchestra requires cooperation, camaraderie, and humility.”

“The teachers and conductors at HYS have helped me grow my passion and motivation to seek musical learning opportunities both on and off-island, and connected me to many amazing local musical artists! My mom is the second harpist for HSO, so a huge part of my childhood was sitting backstage during rehearsals and listening to the beautiful music. I am so honored to have grown up in such close proximity to these amazing musicians, and to being able to play with them before I leave them for college!”

“Since the program started, I have played the drumset in Hawaii Youth Symphony's jazz combo. From there, I had the honor of performing in three of the Na Mele fundraisers with Youth Symphony I and Jake Shimabukuro. Throughout the years, HYS has provided me with outstanding mentorship that greatly helped my musical development. The jazz combo members and I feel extremely honored to be among this year's Nā Hōkū 'Ōpio Young Stars winners.”

Through this opportunity, I am extremely proud to represent jazz musicians and the jazz program. I know that the concerto soloists are traditionally classical musicians, but I am incredibly grateful to the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra and everyone else who gave the jazz combo the privilege to perform at this once-in-a-lifetime event. This is my second and final year with the HYS jazz combo, and it has been an honor to participate in such a wonderful program.

I have been a part of the Hawaii Youth Symphony since the 8th grade. HYS has been a place where I can truly enjoy playing, and it has played a role in developing my love for music and the culture surrounding it. Being selected to perform with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra is quite exciting, and I greatly appreciate this opportunity. I feel strongly about the arts, specifically music’s contribution to the world, and am happy to be a part of this concert series which helps local charitable causes.

President’s Message Randy Wong

I must take a moment to express how proud we are of the Class of 2022—not only for their accomplishments, but their resilience throughout uncertain times.

These remarkable students have inspired us to continue finding new and creative ways to teach and to keep advocating for music education for all.

United by a love of music and lifelong friendships made through HYS, this class of 44 students from 18 different public, independent, and online schools now head into a shining new future. Our hope is that music will remain a part of their lives—and that they have the necessary tools to thrive, not only in music, but in life.

As we celebrate the many accomplishments of our students, we must also take a moment to recognize the talented teachers who have played such an important role in our students’ musical journeys. Without this passionate and deeply committed group of educators, we would not be able to work toward our dream of making music a right, not a privilege. Mahalo also to the students’ families and friends for all that they’ve done to support and nurture these fine young people.

We look forward to seeing you all at Pacific Music Institute in July, but for now, Congratulations to the Class of 2022!

Here’s to your next adventure.

Our Seniors: Champions for the Arts

Hawaii Youth Symphony recently hosted a panel for our seniors with a spotlight on the importance of supporting music and the arts for future generations. Panelists Najean Lee (League of American Orchestras) and Jazzmone Sutton (National Association for Music Education) shared their experiences advocating for the arts and seeking support from state and federal lawmakers.

Several members of the Class of 2022 were further inspired to express their takeaways from this thoughtful discussion:

“Music can change lives by connecting people, inspiring people, and moving people. Music can make people feel emotions that they have never come across. It can be a bridge that brings strangers together.”

“Music provides me with great joy and a sense of accomplishment.”

“For me, it's not about how well I can play, but about how much I change as a person throughout the journey of playing what I am playing.”

Through continued dialogue, we hope to welcome more champions of the arts and celebrate this next generation of change-makers as they step into the world.

If you’re interested in supporting Hawaii Youth Symphony visit hiyouthsymphony.org/giving

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, David Imanaka, Richard K. Ing, Malcolm Lau, Michael Onofrietti, Aaron J. Salā, Geoffrey S. Sewell, M.D., Jake Shimabukuro, Jean Tsukamoto

President, Randy Wong

Administration

Director of Operations:

Aris Doike

Assistant Operations Manager: Parker Nakamura

Programs Manager: Hannah Watanabe

Finance Manager: Lori Yamashita

Symphony Program

Wayne Fanning

Elton Masaki

Susan Ochi-Onishi

Joseph Stepec, Director

Hannah Watanabe

Academy String Program

Michael Lim, Conductor

Brent Ramos, Coordinator

Chad Uyehara, Director

Jazz Program

Ryan Howe

Noel Okimoto

Dean Taba, Director

Pacific Music Institute

Kassi Hatakenaka, Admissions

Coordinator

Ignace Jang, Solo & String Quartet

Jeremy Lawi, General Manager

Joseph Stepec, Artistic Director

Dean Taba, Jazz

Music in the Clubhouse

Parker Nakamura, Music4Kids

Yuseon Nam, Nanakuli Violin

Class

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS:

League of American Orchestras Ushers in the Next Generation of Advocates

The League of American Orchestras leads, supports, and champions America’s orchestras and the vitality of the music they perform. Its diverse membership of more than 1,800 organizations and individuals across North America runs the gamut from world-renowned orchestras to community groups.

Najean Lee is Director of Government Affairs and Education Advocacy for the League. As part of the League’s D.C.-based advocacy team, and in addition to federal policy work, she liaises with executive directors and education and community engagement personnel.

Can you share a little about the history and current focus of The League in advocating for access to music education?

In 2007, the League of American Orchestras worked with Education & Community Engagement personnel of our member orchestras to craft a Statement of Common Cause in support of in-school music education. Orchestra administrators have consistently indicated that music education is one of the most important issues our field needs to focus on, and advocating for quality arts education for all students continues to be one of [the League’s] bedrock issues. We hope all will join us in advocating for equitable access to comprehensive and sequential music education in our nation’s schools.

What is a world without the Arts?

At the risk of sounding dramatic, it’s unimaginable. A world without the arts would be one that would lack a means of expression and connection for so many people, regardless of their level of skill or type of art form. The arts tap into something that’s impossible to reach otherwise. For some people maybe that’s fine, but for most everyone I know, we just wouldn’t know what to do with ourselves and I think there would be even more struggle to connect and cope than we already see right now.

What about interactions with future generations inspires you?

I’ve been inspired by how much enthusiasm they radiate and how well students speak for themselves. If I had to select one very memorable moment, it was when a bucket band from (Baltimore-based) OrchKids came to D.C. to be part of a briefing on arts education. It can be a challenge to attract people to any given briefing but this one was magnetic—everyone was having so much fun and you even saw some Congressional staffers get in the mix. It’s rare to see that kind of unprompted engagement.

If there is one thing you would most wish students could take away from this conversation as they graduate and embark on new journeys, what would it be?

Students feel a lot of pressure to make big decisions right now, and some of those are going to be significant—but for any young person, it’s important to be open to following a path that might meander, or to consider taking an unexpected detour. Develop as many interests as you have curiosity about, or delve more deeply into something that’s especially fascinating to you.

Congratulations to our 2022 Senior Class!

We are so proud of all you have accomplished thus far and know that your futures are bright. We wish you the very best in the journey ahead and hope that music will remain a part of your lives.

To learn more about our 2022 HYS Seniors, visit our website at hiyouthsymphony.org/celebrating-the-hys-class-of-2022

Andy Au

David Cassens

Noah Chang

Zoe Chang

Kaitlyn Dote

Rafael Elham

Jacob Fetterman

Emily Fujii

Roice Galapon

Ethan Garland

Morgan Garza

Spencer Howe

Ethan Ibanez

Elvis Imamura

Kailyn Isobe

Austin Jim

Eric Kim

Meenakshi Kutty

Christine Lau

Eileen Liu

Making music is a right, not a privilege.

Christian Yamada

Jason Yee

Alexander Yip

Reese Yoshikawa

Joey Maeshiro

Kristyn Miyamoto

Pieter Nauwelaerts

Bao Nguyen

Kenneth Nishikawa

Ellie Ochiai

Aaron Omon

Angelina Pablo

Gabriel Paraso

Justin Park

Katherine Ricks

Dylan Serrano

Kisa Tamai

Austin Taniguchi

David Togami

Anthony Tran

Jolien Tran

Hinano Tsuchiya

Pamela Villanueva

Brevely-Ann Wiemer

Hawaii Youth Symphony Association

1110 University Avenue, Suite 200

Honolulu, Hawaii 96826-1598

For the first time in two years, Hawaii Youth Symphony welcomed back live performances with open arms. Our popular Community Concerts made a joyful return this April. Free of charge and open to the public, the performances were met by enthusiastic audiences at SALT at Our Kaka‘ako featuring the talented students of Youth Symphony I and Youth Symphony II. Mahalo to conductors Joseph Stepec, Susan Ochi-Onishi, Hannah Watanabe, Elton Masaki, and Wayne Fanning for inspiring fantastic performances.

HYS Jazz students also had the opportunity to perform at Blue Note Hawaii and our Symphony Program was honored to perform at Moanalua High School’s brand-new Performing Arts Center! Community Concerts Make a Comeback!

Have an idea for a story, or other comments? Send a note to communityfeedback@hiyouthsymphony.org. Mahalo!