Punahou graduate and 2nd year student at Caltech, Bao Nguyen shares his experiences as a pianist and violinist while studying chemistry at the prestigious school.
Sharene Keliʻipunilei Lum Taba grew up in Pearl City listening to a variety of music – mostly in the car and the choice of the driver (Grandma, Mom, Dad, sister or brother). It ranged from Hawaiian to Japanese Enka to Top 40 to HPR. Sharene played the violin in school, and is now a professional freelance harpist and mother. She and husband jazz bassist Dean Taba love to play and listen to music, and are raising their children to celebrate the love of learning and of all kinds of music.
Sixth grader at Hālau Kū Māna New Century Public Charter School, Avyanna McPeek-Batlin is a superstar. The pianist and singer will headline her own show on Dec. 13 at Honolulu's Slack Key Lounge. McPeek-Batlin tells us about lessons learned putting a show together, the highlights of her music career thus far and gives advice to young music students.
Mani Kovacich and Carter Nobuhara are drummers/percussionists in the top ensembles of the Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony. Both musicians are also involved with music at their schools, in adult community ensembles and are regulars at Noel Okimoto's monthly Ohana Jazz concerts.