Classical Music Conversations

Michael-Thomas Foumai: Becoming Beethoven on Classical Pacific

Hawaiʻi Public Radio | By Sharene Keliʻipunilei Lum Taba

Published February 15, 2025 at 1:39 AM HST

Michael-Thomas Foumai, the Susan Kosasa Composer in Residence for Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, introduces the second week of HSO's Beethoven Festival. On Feb. 15, HSO presents Beyond the Music, a free concert talk with the orchestra, conductor Dane Lam and narration by Foumai. On Feb. 16, the symphony performs Beethoven Symphonies No. 4 and No. 6, along with Foumaiʻs Becoming Beethoven.

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Sharene Keliʻipunilei Lum Taba

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.

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