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Friends Czarina Ascuncion and Kaitlyn Li are both 8th graders at Washington Middle School. Li is a euphonium player in the band, while Ascuncion plays clarinet in the band, and violin in the orchestra. Band teacher Mr. Ujimori and Orchestra teacher Ms. Maeshiro create a safe space for friendships and music to thrive. Ascuncion and Li reflect on their start in music, and offer advice for incoming middle schoolers. -
The Director of Finance for the Hawai`i Symphony Orchestra, Nicholas Chakinis, is also a songwriter and former radio music host! Chakinis shares his experiences as a musician, a listener, and a supporter, and offers advice to musicians making choices for their own paths. Nicholas Chakinisʻ playlist:Randy Newman, Louisiana 1927 The Beach Boys, Surf's Up Jimmy Webb, By The Time I Get To Phoenix (Live At The Roll Albert Hall Live 1972) myhso.org
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Pals from working Japanese weddings every weekend, officiant Douglas Dunnell and singer Cheri Nakamura join Classical Pacificʻs host Sharene Taba in a conversation about happy events, music and their careers on stage. -
An amazing person to work for, to work with, and most likely the best concert buddy anyone could ask for, Krystal Spear, Director of Operations at Hawai`i Public Radio talks about dating apps and music compatibility. -
Love and music were on Evening Concert for Valentine’s Day. Punahou School music instructors Steven Casano and Helen Chao-Casano talked about their love of music and each other as married partners. Both are pianists. Steven teaches shakuhachi and Helen is the music director of Punahou’s Music School. -
Soprano Leslie Goldman opens her heart and voice to sing some of her favorite torch songs in a one-woman Valentine’s show. “Get Your Heart on with Leslie G.” is the latest in Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre's Studio 101 concerts this Friday, Feb. 14 at 6 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 16 at 4 p.m. at the Hawaiʻi Opera Theater Plaza. -
As we enter the new year, Dr. Lum reflects on the concept of Aloha. Inspired by an NHK World program about nature photographer Junji Takasago's encounter with Hawaiian healer Kaipo Kai, Dr. Lum explores Takasago’s emphasis on the importance of Aloha in interactions with nature and people. -
Autumn Woods, Associate Director of Advancement for the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, shares a glimpse behind-the-scenes at the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra. She also discusses the impact of music on family life and shares her eclectic playlist. -
At the first rehearsal of Beethoven’s Symphonies No. 1 and 3, Classical Pacific’s Sharene Taba speaks with Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra French horn players Anna Lenhart and Jamie Sanborn, as well as Maestro Dane Lam. -
China’s foremost composer, Ye Xiaogang, is featured in the opening concert of the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra's Beethoven Festival. The world premiere of Ye's Eroica will take place at the Hawaiʻi Theatre on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. In this special interview, Ye reflects on his 70-year journey, Beethoven’s influence, composing for the Olympics and his first visit to Hawaiʻi. -
Michael-Thomas Foumai, the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra's Susan Kosasa Composer-in-Residence, joins Classical Pacific host Sharene Taba for a lively and insightful conversation about Ludwig van Beethoven and the HSO’s Beethoven Festival. This week, the festival features two concerts, and over the next month, HSO will present all nine of Beethoven’s symphonies. Learn more. -
While on a quick visit to Hawaiʻi, Drew Edwards dropped by Classical Pacific to share insights from his research and play some MIDI files of his transcriptions. Edwards is a doctoral student at Queen Mary University of London, studying at the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Artificial Intelligence and Music.
