Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 8, Number 10, 1 ʻOkakopa 1991 — New members expand Kamalani Chorus [ARTICLE]

New members expand Kamalani Chorus

With the coming of a new school year, the University of Hawai'i at Hilo's Kamalani Children's Chorus has added 25 new youngsters from grades 3 to 5. The new members were selected from an audition held earlier this summer at the university and brings the chorus to its largest ever with 40 members. "Five students have graduated from the chorus, whieh started in February 1990," reports Dr. David Kekaulike Sing, Director of Na Pua No'eau, Center For Gifted and Talented Native Hawaiian Children. The student alumni are Puna Belcher, David Chew, Kelly Iokepa, Jamie Oeampo, and Ke'ala Swain. Sing also says, "The choral program has also resulted in raising the self-confidence and selfesteem of the student graduates as they rehearse and perform." Doreen Baptiste, a parent and supporter of the chorus, says that since her daughter Kainoa's participation, "Our family has changed positively in so many ways." The chorus directors are loeal teachers, Miehael Springer, Cathy Arnold, and Rudy Serain.

They provide a varied repertoire of choral musc, choreography, and Hawaiian hula, songs, language, literature, and traditiona! culture to enhanee the children's appreciation and understanding of being Native Hawaiian. The Kamalani Chorus recently performed for the opening convocation of the university, and has also performed at commencement ceremonies for the University of Hawai'i at Hilo, the inauguration ceremonies for the mayor of the County of Hawai'i. The new and continuing members for 1991-1992 are: Kanoe Arnold, Calenna-Lani Au, Jared Auna, Aley Auna, Cristin Banks, Kainoa Baptiste, Kehau Bondallian, Deeann Chaves, Deysha Chock, 'Ekolu Dudoit, Kawahine Galdeira, Mapuana Galdeira, Channel GonsaIves, Zale Hisashima, Jessica Hollinger, Melanie Ionae, Aja-Iy Iopa, Alohiwailani Ishibashi, Chana Jenkins, Sherianne Ka'ehuea, Tiare Ka'ili'awa, Mandi Kamali'i, Kamalani Kamelamela, Julia Katsunuma, Kahealani Kua, Hope MeKeen, Gandall Meyers, Tiffany Miyazu, Alika Mullen, Rebecca Murph, Deniece Nicolas, Dawn Nishimoto, Steven Noah, Kawaika Osoria, Lauren Reyes, NaupakaSako, Patrick Springer, Kahali'ilani Suganuma. Elizabeth Tiogangco, Jordan Tiogangco, and Joanna Visaya.