FORMER FACULTY (MUSIC DIRECTOR 2018-2019) Conductor John Devlin is an energetic force in the classical music world. He is an innovator of concert design, an ardent champion of American music, and a proponent of cross-genre collaborations. The newly appointed Music […]

Hannah Watanabe works for the Hawaii Youth Symphony as Programs Director. She is a graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she earned a Bachelor of Education degree in K-12 Music Education with an emphasis in Secondary Instrument […]

Wayne Fanning is a graduate of Hilo High School and participated in HYS Concert Orchestra and the Pacific Music Institute as a student.  He received his Bachelor of Education and Master of Arts from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  […]

Elton Masaki holds a Bachelor of Education Degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis in music from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a Master of Music in Education Degree from Boston University. Mr. Masaki is the current high […]

Susan Ochi-Onishi has proudly served as a middle and high school music educator in the Hawaii State Department of Education since 1988. Prior to teaching at Kaimuki Middle School, she has held music teaching positions at Waianae Intermediate School and […]

Joan Doike directed orchestras in the HYS program for fourteen years prior to moving to Indiana. While in Indiana, she taught at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Pre-College String Academy. Ms. Doike currently teaches the HYS Beginning String […]

Talia Turnbull received a Master’s degree in cello performance from Ohio State University and a Bachelor’s degree in music education and cello performance from the University of Oregon. Beginning in Fall 2018, she will serve as the Orchestra Director at […]

Born and raised in Hawaii, Mr. Jeff Hamano has been teaching the Strings Orchestra program at Moanalua Elementary since 2009. He graduated from Kalani High School and received his Bachelors Degree in Music from the University of Hawaii Manoa where he […]

A saxophonist, violinist, and guitarist, Mr. Momohara brings nearly 15 years of music education experience to the program He has taught at Aiea High School, Kalani High School, and Niu Valley Middle School. He has also performed in the UH […]

Joy Waikoloa was born and raised in Honolulu. As a vocalist, she is known for versatility in her song selections, but her deepest passions lie with blues, R&B and jazz. Ms. Waikoloa graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa […]

A dedicated educator, Jang is on the faculty of the University of Hawaii and Punahou School. He spent much of his time ensuring the success of the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival String Program before joining the Hawaii Youth Symphony. “It […]

A highly 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 Hawaii Youth Symphony. It was a desire to play in the high school […]