Singer, songwriter, pianist, and ?ukulele player Ruth Shiroma Foster shares HPR’s Atherton Studio stage with her musical colleagues and the audience on September 3rd at 7:30 p.m. Known for her passionate approach to an eclectic repertoire, Shiroma Foster also believes in breaking barriers between performer and listener.
With her musical guests, clarinetist Norm Foster, tenor Ryan Souza, soprano Amber Star Naramore, and percussionist Dae Han, she will be performing refreshing interpretations of works from the American Songbook (such as Cole Porter); pop tunes from the '70s and '80s; local favorites; and a few surprises. They also plan to lead the audience in group singing on selected popular songs and originals. Attendees are also encouraged to bring their ?ukulele.
Reservations for “Ruth Shiroma Foster and Friends” may be made online at www.hprtickets.org or by calling the station (955-8821) during regular business hours. Tickets are $30 general, $25 for HPR members, and $15 for students with ID; online service charges apply. The Atherton Studio is located at Hawai?i Public Radio, 738 K?heka Street. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.; music begins at 7:30 p.m.
About the artists
Ruth Shiroma Foster is musically rooted in gospel music, having served in accompanist roles in church and school since age 11, but her piano and vocal training has included jazz and classical music. During her high school years, she was called upon to play the piano in her high school musicals, and her love for the Broadway style is reflected in the work she does today. Shiroma Foster is the founder of a musical trio called VIVO, which performed around town between 2012 and 2015. During that time, the trio released a CD featuring Shiroma Foster?s originals and popular favorites. One of her most interesting projects was writing, filming, directing, and producing VIVO's music video for her original song "Habitually Late," a comedy taking viewers on an adventure with the story's heroine, the never-punctual Hillary Langston. The video was a finalist in this year's N? H?k? Hanohano Awards in the Music Video category. The video showcases the talents of VIVO's friends and supporters, including local celebrities and actors. Currently, Shiroma Foster is working on another project that calls for friends around the world to submit footage that can be used in her second music video project for her original song "Listen Everybody." Shiroma Foster regularly performs as a soloist at Chuck's Cellar in Waik?k?, drawing guests in with her eclectic song choices that surprise and delight tourists and locals alike. An advocate for music education, she is a teaching artist with Kalikolehua, a non-profit music program for underserved children at the K?hi? Park Neighborhood. In addition, Shiroma Foster and her husband, Norm, work in partnership to give students private music lessons in piano, songwriting, singing, music theory, clarinet, and musical performance. Besides being a lifelong musician, she is also a handbag and clothes designer, writer, photographer, and filmmaker.
Norm Foster is a clarinetist with the Hawai`i Symphony, Gypsy 808, and other groups in Honolulu. His sweet tone and lyrical style adds charm, delight, and wit to any music performance. He is married to Ruth Shiroma Foster.
Ryan Souza is known in Honolulu for his rich tenor voice and his flair for delivering songs in a wide variety of styles, including jazz, pop, Hawaiian, opera. Among his many musical roles in the community, Souza is the gospel choir director at Unity Church -- a useful skill for the evening’s group singing.
Amber Star Naramore is a lyric soprano whose warm yet ethereal voice will leave listeners spellbound. A Kula native, Naramore returned to Hawai?i by way of Eastman School of Music and New England Conservatory. She teaches choir, music, and theater at Le Jardin Academy.
Dae Han, though new to Hawai?i, is already making a splash on the music scene in Honolulu, having played at Waik?k?'s Blue Note with Gerardo Velez. He holds regular weekly performances with jazz and fusion groups at The Dragon Upstairs and Jazz Minds. Originally from Maryland, Han is also a producer and songwriter.
