July 8-18, 2021 Val Underwood Artistic Director ExecutiveFrom Directorthe Dear Friends: to offer a world-class training and performance program, to improve Throughout education, and to elevate the spirit of history, global all who participate. pandemics have shaped society, We are delighted to begin our season culture, and with Stars of Tomorrow, featuring institutions. As many successful young alumni of our we find ourselves Young Singer Program—including exiting the Becca Barrett, Stacee Firestone, and COVID-19 crisis, one pandemic and many others. Under the direction subsequent recovery that comes to of both Beth Dunnington and Val mind is the bubonic plague—or Black Underwood, this performance will Death—which devastated Europe and celebrate the art of storytelling in its Asia in the 14th century. There was a most simple and elegant state. The silver lining, however, as it’s believed season also includes performances that the socio-economic impacts of by many of our very own, long- the Plague on European society— time Festival favorites, and two of particularly in Italy—helped create Broadway’s finest, including HPAF the conditions necessary for what is Alumna and 1st Place Winner of arguably the greatest post-pandemic the 2020 HPAF Musical Theatre recovery of all time—the Renaissance. Competition, Nyla Watson (Wicked, The Color Purple). Though our 2021 Summer Festival is not what was initially envisioned, As we enter the recovery phase and we are thrilled to return to in-person many of us eagerly await a return to programming for the first time in 24 “normal,” let’s remember one thing: we months. For the first time ever, all in- are not normal—we are extraordinary. person performances will be broadcast This is our time, our recovery—this is live via Kahilu.TV. The Journey Back our Renaissance. celebrates HPAF’s gradual and long- awaited return. Though each of With aloha, our challenges are not yet distant memories, we at HPAF are committed to upholding our mission: to promote the appreciation and advancement of Justin John Moniz, classical music and musical theatre, Executive Director 2021 Summer Festival: | 3 the journey back About Hawai‘i Performing Arts Festival ow preparing for its 17th During the fall, winter, and season on the Big Island, spring months, HPAF offers N Hawai‘i Performing Arts special performances to help Festival brings some of the most support scholarships for aspiring talented young musicians from young artists to attend the Hawaii, the U.S., Canada, Australia, festival each summer. The Asia, Africa, the Middle East, recent 2021 High Season Series South America, and Europe to included The Music of the Night the Big Island each summer for with Bronson Norris Murphy, intensive study and performance IDEAs: A Musical Celebration and training, affording young artists Roundtable Discussion, and the opportunity perform with Home for the Holidays. professional musicians under the guidance of some of the world’s most established teachers and mentors. The Mission results are astonishing. Statement During the 2019 Summer Festival, HPAF is a non-profit more than 20 concerts and staged organization whose performances were presented, mission is to promote giving HPAF participants invaluable the appreciation and experience and the privilege of advancement of classical appearing on stage with with top music and musical theater, musical artists in their field. All to offer a world-class music performances were produced at training and performance various venues around the Big program in the inspirational Island. The 2020 Virtual Summer setting of Hawaii, and to Festival featured 14 free concerts, improve the education and masterclasses, and special events, elevate the spirit of all who featuring a world-class roster participate, especially the of artists, attended by over local community. 3,000 viewers, both locally and internationally. 2021 Summer Festival: | 4 the journey back Goodbye walls. Hello bliss. fairmont.com/orchid-hawaii/spa/ 808 887 7538 [email protected] 6:18PM Innovative Big Island inspired cuisine. The freshest locally sourced ingredients. Live Hawaiian music. A spectacular oceanfront setting just steps from Pauoa Bay. An incomparable ne dining experience in Hawaii RESERVATIONS: 808 887 7368 BROWNSBEACHHOUSE.COM 67 Support The Arts awai‘i Performing Arts Festival has recently revamped its giving programs so that donors can not only feel part of a H dedicated family of supporters but can come closer to the world-class music they help to create! We invite you to join our loyal ohana of HPAF supporters today. Give the gift of music and Find Your Aloha with us this season in paradise. 2021 Summer Festival: | 6 the journey back Mahalo HPAF would not be possible without the continued support, loyalty, and enthusiasm of so many contributors and partners. This season, we are especially grateful for the overwhelming support of the following: GOLD SEASON SPONSOR ($20,000-$49,999) Margareta & Staffan Encrantz SILVER SEASON SPONSOR ($10,000-$19,999) Carol & Clive Davies Deviants from the Norm BRONZE SEASON SPONSOR ($5,000-$9,999) The Lematta Foundation Laura Benz 2021 Summer Festival: | 7 the journey back Mahalo HPAF MEMBER ($1,500-$4,999) Lynne Schneider & Dick Fusch HPAF SUPPORTER ($100-$1,499) Marilyn & Carl Bernhardt Carol Brown Natalia Bychkova Michael Cromwell Paul & Charlene Dahlquist Duncan Dempster Robert Donigan Betty Eavis & Jim Monk Genevieve Firestone Steve Kaplan Karla Miller Sheldon Meier Justin John Moniz William Stull Michael Thompson Joanne & David Turner Val Underwood *Gifts received by 6/15 in support of our 2021 Summer Festival have been acknowledged above. All others will be acknowledged via our website. PRODUCING PARTNER HOUSING DONORS Kahilu Theatre Foundation Andy Czajkowski Paul & Charlene Dahlquist MEDIA PARTNERS Duncan Dempster Hawaii Public Radio The Kent-Meschke Ohana A very special mahalo to Big Island Music Magazine Ramona Naone for keeping our donated accommodations clean! 2021 Summer Festival: | 8 the journey back INSTRUMENTALISTS Daniel Davidson, Bass Daniel Davidson is a double bass player from Plano, Texas studying Music Education at the University of North Texas. He is studying under the direction of Gudrun Raschen, as well as receiving masterclasses and instruction from Jeff Bradetich and Lynn Seaton. Absolutely thrilled to be playing here, he would like to thank Dr. Raschen for giving him this opportunity and his parents for making it happen. Jeffry Eckels, Electric Bass Bassist, composer, teacher and recording artist Jeffry Eckels has been playing since the age of 12. Since that time, he has performed professionally in a multitude of styles with well-know artists from around the globe. He’s been involved in recordings that feature rock to jazz and everything in between. He was the bassist on the Oscar winning “El Otra Lado del Rio” from the movie Motorcycle Diaries. He has taught privately, on the college level and presented masterclasses to all ages. For 16 years he played live jazz on Public Radio Internationals’ most popular show, “Whad Ya Know, with Michael Feldman.” As a longtime member of the International Society of Bassists, Jeffry has been honored with the invitation to offer workshops at their prestigious convention. As well as studying privately with a host of internationally recognized artists, he is a graduate of Berklee College of Music, Boston; University of Wisconsin, Madison and currently ABD from the University of North Texas, Denton. Jeffry performs as the pops bassist for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and is a sought-after free lance musician on both electric and acoustic bass. Jeffry states that, “my love of teaching is an extension of my passion for performance!” 24 The HPAF Legacy or the past 17 years, Hawai‘i Performing Arts Festival has continued to provide Fworld-class training and performance opportunities to aspiring young artists, both from Hawai‘i Island and worldwide. Following their time at HPAF, our esteemed alumni have gone on to grace some of the world’s greatest stages, most notably The Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, English National Opera, Royal Opera House, Florida Grand Opera, Los Angeles Opera, and have appeared in film and television, on Broadway, National Tours, and regionally. 2021 Summer Festival: | 10 the journey back inAlumni Action HPAF is proud to share some of the recent achievements of our many wonderful alumni. Please join us in celebrating these remarkable artists — many of whom got their start at HPAF. Derrell Acon (Professional Fellow Alumnus) has been appointed Associate Artistic Director & Chief Impact Officer of Long Beach Opera. During his time at HPAF, Derrell sang the role of Leporello in Mozart’s Don Giovanni. 2021 Summer Festival: | 11 the journey back inAlumni Action Matthew Greenberg (Stage Directing Fellow Alumnus) was recently appointed Visiting Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at West Virginia University. He will teach four courses and direct the program’s mainstage musical this fall. During his time at HPAF, Matt served as Assistant Director of Stephen Sondheim’s Company. Cecilia Violetta Lopez (Developing Singer) recently reprised the role of Violetta in Verdi’s La traviata with the Pacific Symphony. During her time at HPAF, Cecilia sang the title role in Monteverdi’s L’Incoronazione di Poppea. Makeda Hampton (Developing Singer) recently earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Kentucky. During her time at HPAF, Makeda performed in opera scenes and various concerts across the Big Island. 2021 Summer Festival: | 12 the journey back inAlumni Action Jesse Mashburn (Developing Singer Alumna) joins the apprentice program at Merola Opera this summer. During her time at HPAF, Jesse sang the role of Bradamante in Handel’s Alcina. Ethan Burck (Developing Singer Alumnus) joins the apprentice program at Santa Fe Opera this summer. During his two seasons at HPAF, Ethan sang the roles of Don José in The Tragedy of Carmen and Nanki-Poo in The Mikado.