Abe Lagrimas, Jr. is a musician, composer, educator, and author who plays the drums, vibraphone, and ʻukulele professionally. He studied at Berklee College of Music and competed in the highly prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Drums Competition in 2012. Abe […]

Born and raised in Honolulu, Daniel Kawaiʻaeʻa Shaver received his Master of Arts degree in Music Education from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where he was advised by Dr. Jennifer Blackwell and studied Orchestral Conducting with Professor Joseph Stepec. […]

Maia Mayeshiro is thrilled to be a part of the Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony’s Music in the Clubhouse Program at the Windward Boys and Girls Club of Hawaiʻi and looking forward to sharing her passion for ʻukulele with young musicians. Maia […]

Mackenzie Kwong is a locally born-and-raised violinist and music educator who has been active in Hawaiʻi’s music education community since 2019. He graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa with a bachelor’s degree in music education. Mr. Kwong was […]

Carissa Miyamoto is a passionate music educator, violinist, and trumpet player. She grew up participating in the Hawai’i Youth Symphony program from BSE through YSI. She is a Moanalua High School graduate and recently earned her Bachelor’s in Music Education […]

ʻAlohi Igarta (they/them) joined the HYS team as Academy String Program Coordinator in August 2025, and as Development Support Specialist in February 2026. Currently residing in Honolulu, ʻAlohi traces their roots to Molokaʻi, Maui, and Moku o Keawe (Hawaiʻi Island), […]

Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, Jeff Hamano has been teaching the Strings Orchestra program at Moanalua Elementary since 2009. He graduated from Kalani High School and received his bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa where he […]

Joseph Stepec came to Hawaii from Cleveland, OH in 2016. He is Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Orchestras at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Music Department. Under his direction, the University of Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra has premiered […]

Elden T. Seta joins HYS as Youth Symphony II conductor, bringing a remarkable legacy of music education and leadership in Hawai‘i. Retiring after 37 years as music director at Moanalua High School, he built a thriving program that inspired generations […]

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 Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.  […]

Amy Carlson is no stranger to the Hawai‘i Youth Symphony ‘ohana. As the proud parent of two HYS alums, she spent many years as a dedicated Concert Parent in our Symphony Program, supporting countless rehearsals and performances. Her deep connection […]

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

Ryan Howe graduated from Maui High School and completed both his Bachelor’s in Music Education and Master’s in Bassoon Performance at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He currently teaches middle school band at Moanalua Middle School.   Mr. Howe […]

Born and raised in Honolulu, Noel Okimoto has been playing professionally since the age of ten. Noel’s primary instrument is the drum set, but is also an accomplished orchestral percussionist, vibraphonist, composer and clinician. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in […]

Jeremy Lawi earned his Bachelor of Music Degree in Percussion Performance at the University of British Columbia and Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Music Education from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He recently returned to his alma mater, ʻIolani School, […]

Joseph Stepec came to Hawaii from Cleveland, OH in 2016. He is Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Orchestras at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Music Department. Under his direction, the University of Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra has premiered […]

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

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

Joseph Stepec came to Hawaii from Cleveland, OH in 2016. He is Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Orchestras at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Music Department. Under his direction, the University of Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra has premiered […]

ʻAlohi Igarta (they/them) joined the HYS team as Academy String Program Coordinator in August 2025, and as Development Support Specialist in February 2026. Currently residing in Honolulu, ʻAlohi traces their roots to Molokaʻi, Maui, and Moku o Keawe (Hawaiʻi Island), […]

Brent Ramos is a graduate from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Violin Performance. He is an HYS alumni who started in the Academy Strings Program, and in his senior year of high […]

Mckenzee Espiritu is a graduate of James B. Castle High School and is currently pursuing a degree in Music Education at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. An HYS alumna, she began as a sophomore in the Youth Symphony II French […]