Lance H. Jo

March 4, 1938 – February 23, 2019

Born in Puʻunēnē, Maui, Lance Hayami Jo graduated from Baldwin High School before earning his bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Indiana University. He then served in the United States Army, including a tour of duty in France. Following his military service, he returned to Indiana University to earn his master’s degree in Music Education.

Lance began his teaching career in 1964 at the original Maui High School campus in Hāmākuapoko, before joining H.P. Baldwin High School in 1967 where he served as Director of Bands for 36 years. During his early years of teaching, he also continued serving in the United States Army Reserve until deciding to devote himself fully to music education, receiving an Honorable Discharge as a Captain in June 1969. Under his humble leadership, Baldwin’s concert, jazz, marching, and pep bands earned statewide respect and admiration. In addition to band, he also taught piano, classical guitar, ukulele, and led the Pit Orchestra, which provided live music for Baldwin’s Performing Arts Learning Center’s musicals. In 1995, the Baldwin High School Symphonic Band traveled to Washington, D.C., and presented concerts in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the end of World War II.

Together with Henry Miyamura, Lance helped with the Pacific Music Institute (PMI). Through their vision, thousands of young musicians throughout Hawaiʻi have been given opportunities to study, perform, and grow through intensive summer music education. Lance faithfully served as a conductor, clinician, and mentor for 24 years, helping shape what has become Hawaiʻi’s premier summer music program for young musicians. Even after retiring from the State of Hawai’i Department of Education in 2003, Lance remained deeply committed to nurturing young musicians. In 2006, he co-founded the Maui Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (MYPO) with Iolani Yamashiro-Rahimi, continuing his lifelong commitment to providing orchestral opportunities for Maui’s youth and encouraging young musicians to reach their fullest potential.

While Lance held high expectations for his students, he led with patience, humility, kindness, dry, hilarious humor, and love, creating an environment where students felt challenged, encouraged, and genuinely valued. He was also a man of high integrity and deep wisdom, with one-liners and life-lesson stories that left a lasting impression as strong as his musical excellence. Never one to seek recognition or draw attention to himself, Lance found his greatest fulfillment and joy in helping others discover their potential through music. His greatest legacy was not only found on the conductor’s podium but in the countless lives he quietly shaped along the way. Kurt Muroki, one of his former students at Baldwin High School, who studied at The Juilliard School, is currently a Professor of Bass at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Kurt accepted this position because of Lance, who “changed my life!” Another former student, Sharon Nakama Baybayan, who majored in Music Education and Oboe Performance, is now the Band Director at Baldwin High School because of “Grandpa Jo.” These are but a few of the countless lives impacted by “Mr. Jo.”

Lance’s greatest joy was his family. He is remembered dearly by his very loving wife, Donnie; his sons, Brent Jo and Kurt Jo; his daughter, Keli Wada; grandson, Jordan Jo; and granddaughters, Kayla Wada, Ava Wada, and Allison Jo. Their love and steadfast support throughout his life and career made possible the countless hours he devoted to serving young musicians across Hawaiʻi