Hawaii Performing Arts Festival Returns For Fourth Season

Aspiring young artists and renowned musical celebrities from around the world will gather on the Big Island for three weeks of music making next July. The Opening Night Concert will be held at 7:30 pm on Thursday, July 10 at Hawaii Preparatory Academy in Waimea. Admission is free.

In the days following, the festival will offer 14 additional concerts, ranging from oratorio to opera, and clarinets to cabaret. Most concerts are held in the Waimea area, and most are free to the public. The festival also offers master classes, day classes, one-day vocal workshops for young artists from Hawaii, string weekends, community outreach concerts and lectures about classical music. A complete schedule of concerts and events is available at www.hawaiiperformingartsfestival.org.

Since its inception in 2005 the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival (HPAF) has grown into an important international arts program. "Bringing talented students from all over the world to study with an internationally renowned faculty is the hallmark of our festival." declares HPAF artistic director Val Underwood. "If you are familiar with the Aspen Music Festival, you have an idea of our vision-to become a destination cultural event with world class artists and top-notch performances. We want to be the premiere summer classical music event of the Pacific." This summer the festival expects 90 students and 25 faculty/artists, plus numerous staff, vol unteers, friends and family members. The festival's economic impact on the Big Island is estimated to exceed $500,000.

The festival also funds scholarships for young artists from Hawaii. Aspiring young musicians can take world class training in Hawaii without an expensive trip to the mainland. Scholarship winner Keane Ishii, a 26-year old baritone from Mililani, writes: "Thank you all so much for this chance to learn and make art with you. You are the people in the world who are most understanding of the challenges and revelations I experience. I'm excited to join you this summer: the beginning of our relationship." Soprano Roxanne Fox, age 20, grew up in Kailua-Kona, graduating from Kealakehe High S chool in 2005. She is now pursuing an acting career in New York but will return to the Big Island this summer for vocal study at the festival. "I am hoping to finally learn to take advantage of my natural gifts with the continuing help of HPAF."

Last summer's scholarship winner, 26-year old Christopher Ramos of Hilo, graduated from UH-Hilo in 2006 as a vocal performance major, but didn't know what direction his life would take next. After working with mentors and teachers at the 2007 festival, Mr. Ramos began his post-graduate studies at the San Francisco Conservatory on full scholarship. He states, "For me, a program like HPAF is a blessing for the local talent in Hawaii."
Festival concerts include a musical theater evening at the Aloha Theatre, a five-piano extravaganza on exquisite Steinway grand pianos provided by Sanders Piano at the Hilton Waikoloa, musical theater and opera scenes, clarinet choirs, art songs, an oratorio and an original comic opera set in Hawaii.

Audiences will recognize several familiar voices and faces during the festival. Honolulu television personality Howard Dicus of KMGB TV-9 "Sunrise" will host "It's A Grand Night for Singing" at the Aloha Theater on Friday, July 18 in a concert benefiting HPAF and the Arc of Kona. Hawaii Public Radio personality Gary Hickling will offer commentary for numerous concerts and events. Honolulu piano phenomenon Ellen Masaki, whose students routinely go on to win international piano competitions, joins the festival for the first time this season. Veteran character actor John de Lancie, who played the iconic and all-powerful "Q" in the Star Trek series, will lend his personal tou ch to "The Poets Corner", an art song concert on July 12.

The 2008 Hawaii Performing Arts Festival is made possible thanks to the generous support of the following sponsors: Sanders Piano, go! airlines, Big Island Honda, Blue Dragon Coastal Cuisine, Brian R. Cook Development, Capt. Zodiac Raft Trips, Carol and Clive Davis, Gemfire Designers, Stephen J. Herbert P.E., Huggo's, Kamuela Liquor Store, North Hawaii News, Rhoady Lee and Alan Gartenhaus, Dr. John Stover, Waimea Garden Cottage B&B, West Hawaii Today, North Hawaii News, Witcher Engineering LLP, Mauna Lani Bay Resort, Fairmont Orchid, Hotel Waikoloa, Four Seasons Hualalai and Hawaii Public Radio. HPAF is supported by the County of Hawaii, Department of Research and Development and the Hawai i Tourism Authority.

Opening Night Concert
Thursday, July 10
Kickoff to the most amazing season ever! Join HPAF faculty in launching this annual classical music spectacular.
7:30 pm at Davies Chapel at Hawaii Preparatory Academy
Concert sponsored by Blue Dragon Coastal Cuisine

Clarinet Classics
Friday, July 11
7:30 pm, Davies Chapel at Hawaii Preparatory Academy
Students of famed clarinet master Yehuda Gilad perform the classics.
Free admission
Concert sponsorship suitable for individuals who are interested in supporting the arts and the youth of Hawaii.
Concert sponsored by Carol and Clive Davies

The Poets Corner
Saturday, July 12
7:30 pm Davies Chapel at HPA
Classic poems make for beautiful art songs. John de Lancie, most famous for his role as "Q" on Star Trek, and his wife Hollywood actress Marnie Mosiman, lend their personal touch to the festival's opening night concert. The second half of the program is Shakespeare-inspired. Artists from the 2008 faculty featured. This extraordinary concert is always a festive kickoff
Free admission.
Concert Sponsored by Blue Dragon Coastal Cuisine

Woodwind Quintet
Sunday, July 13
St James Church, 12 noon or after church
Talented young artists perform favorites for clarinet, flute, bassoon, horn and oboe.
Free admission
Concert sponsorship suitable for individuals who want to support the arts and the youth of Hawaii.

A Grand Night For Singing
Friday, July 18
7:00 pm at the Aloha Theater in Kainaliu
In partnership with the Arc of Kona
Join Hawaii Performing Arts Festival's top professional students in an extraordinary evening of Rodgers & Hammerstein favorites and more!
Narrated by Howard Dicus of KGMB-TV Honolulu
$40 at the door
Concert sponsored by Big Island Honda, Brian R. Cook Development, Huggos, and Captain Zodiac Raft Trips

From Broadway to Opera
A series of four concerts...
Wednesday, July 16, 7:30 pm at Parker Theater in Waimea
Thursday, July 17, 7:30 pm at Parker Theater in Waimea
Saturday, July 26, 7:30 pm at East Hawaii Cultural Center in Hilo
Sunday, July 27, 1:00 pm at Parker Theater in Waimea - A Children's Concert
Narrated by Hawaii Public Radio personality Gary Hickling
Young artists have come together from all over the world to prepare scenes from favorite musical theater and opera works. Come and hear the results.
Free admission
Concerts Sponsored by Dr. John Stover

Back to Bach!
Sunday, July 20
4 pm at Gates Performing Arts Center
Experience the glory of Baroque music with soloists, chorus, orchestra and orchestra performing works by the master composers of the age, conducted by San Francisco Symphony's Peter Grunberg.
Free admission.
Concert sponsored by Rhoady Lee & Alan Gartenhaus

Mostly Opera
Tuesday, July 22
7:30 pm at Davies Chapel at HPA
Experience our renowned vocal faculty performing unforgettable classics from favorite operas. Traditionally one of our most popular concerts. Narrated by Hawaii Public Radio personality Gary Hickling.
Free admission
Concert Sponsored by Stephen J. Herbert, P.E. Inc and Witcher Engineering LLP

Going Baroque
Wednesday, July 23
.7:30 pm, Gates Performing Arts Center at HPA
Experience the glory of Baroque music with harpsichordist Jung Hae Kim and HPAF faculty performing gems of the period. Narrated by Gary Hickling.
Free admission
Concert sponsored by Kamuela Liquor Store

Nocciolina (Little Nut) -- A Comic Opera
Friday, July 25
7:30 pm at Gates Performing Arts Center, HPA
A comic romp through a mythical Hawaiian landscape with an eccentric crop of characters singing the most glorious Baroque arias, duets, and choruses ever! An original creation from the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, featuring the festival's finest young professionals.
Free admission
Concert sponsored by Blue Dragon Coastal Cuisine

Piano Gems
Saturday, July 26
7:30 pm, Davies Chapel at Hawaii Preparatory Academy
Students of Ellen Masaki routinely go on to win worldwide competitions and enjoy international success. Hear these young artists in a unique recital that will amaze you!
Free admission.
Concert sponsored by Gemfire Designers

Pianothon
Sunday, July 27
4:00 pm at the Hilton Waikoloa
Ten precocious prodigies, students of Honolulu's legendary mentor, Ellen Masaki, performing on five Steinway grand pianos in the beautiful Waters Edge Ballroom at the Hilton Waikoloa. A big hit at the 2007 festival.
$25 at the door
Concert Sponsored by West Hawaii Today and North Hawaii News