About Hawaii Performing Arts Festival GENETTE FREEMAN
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1 FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dear Friends, The impact HPAF has had on the many tens of thousands of artists, patrons, and members of our community, has far surpassed all conceivable expectations since our founding STAY IN TUNE. in 2005. Fifteen years later, we pause to reflect and honor the work that has been accomplished, the stories that have STAY IN TUNE. been told, and the lifelong connections that have been forged along the way. This season, we celebrate. We celebrate the stories that have been shared on our beautiful island for fifteen remarkable years—the same stories that have helped inspire, lift, and encourage so many. We celebrate the artists who, following their time with us, have gone onto significant careers as singers, actors, orchestral musicians, stage directors, conductors, and teachers— the same artists who regularly grace some of the world’s greatest stages and lead many of the nation’s most prestigious university and conservatory programs. We celebrate the community, each of you, our ohana—the same people who have helped lay our roots, cultivate our growth, and establish our footprint within the local, national, and international nā kaiaulu. We celebrate the founders, more specifically, Executive Director Emerita, Genette Freeman, for her vision, leadership, and commitment to our festival—the same visionary who brought an idea to paper, a lyric to song, and a dream to reality. We celebrate the legacy of excellence, as we have begun to emerge as an international cultural destination, a safe space for the work and discovery of the some world’s most promising young artists, and a stage for an international roster of faculty artists—the same artists who have departed our island with renewed sense of selves and reaffirmed identities as both storytellers and human beings. Our celebration begins with a special pre-season fundraiser, Karaoke with the Stars. I would encourage you dust-off your popular favorites and get ready to sing your heart out alongside our faculty artists at Kahilu Theatre’s Mike Luce Studio on June 24. It promises to be an evening like none we’ve ever offered! Hollywood Hits officially opens the season on June 25, featuring some incredible tunes from the movies, three powerhouse vocalists, and an unbeatable live band that is sure to get you on your feet. The ensemble features MORE THAN EVER. HPRis festival favorite, pianist Phil Kadet, and world-class guitarist Jeff Linsky—both of whom will be your home for classical music headlining performances of their own later in the season. Our three mainstage productions MORETo make a donation, THAN please visit hawaiipublicradio.org, EVER. HPRis include Peter Brook’s adaptation of Bizet’s classic, The Tragedy of Carmen, Benjamin Britten’s download our mobile app “Hawaii Public Radio” or call hawaiipublicradioyour home @WeAreHPRfor classical @WeAreHPR music A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Stephen Sondheim’s Company, where I am delighted to (808) 955-8821 during business hours. portray the role of Bobby, under the direction of the Beth Dunnington. Hawaiʻi Public Radio keeps you in tune with local, national, and international news, Our season offers something for everyone. Whether your passion is opera, chamber music, hawaiipublicradio @WeAreHPR @WeAreHPR jazz, musical theatre, or art song, I would encourage you to explore this season’s offerings, and music from around the world. hawaiipublicradio.org / mobile app “hpr” and even try something new! Bring a friend—show them who we are, what we do, and give them the opportunity to discover the tremendous impact of four simple letters… H—P—A—F. Thank you for joining us, for being a part of this truly momentous occasion, and for sharing this season’s exceptional journey. Today we celebrate fifteen years of milestones and look forward to the next chapter with much excitement and great anticipation. On Hawaiʻi island: KANO 89.1, KHPH 88.7, KKUA 90.7, K235CN 94.9 With warmth and gratitude, KIPH 88.3, KIPM 89.7, KAHU 91.3, K239BV 95.7, K283CR 104.5 Justin John Moniz, Executive Director 2 3 MAHALO! HPAF would not be possible without the continued support, loyalty, and or the past fifteen years, Hawaii enthusiasm of the following donors, sponsors, partners, and volunteers. Performing Arts Festival has GOLD ($20,000 - $49,999) HOUSING DONORS continued to provide world-class The Holland Foundation Karen and Dave Anderson trainingF and performance opportunities Margareta and Staffan Encrantz Kelly and Greg Barrick to aspiring young artists, both from The Lematta Foundation Laura Benz Hawai‘i Island and worldwide. Hawaii Tourism Authority Marilyn and Carl Bernhardt The Anderson-Beck Fund Angie Boleman Balbi Brooks Following their time at HPAF, our SILVER ($10,000 - $19,999) Lisa Chu-Thielbar esteemed alumni have gone on to grace Carol and Clive Davies Andy Czajkowski some of the world’s greatest stages, most Deviants from the Norm Paul & Charlene Dahlquist and Family notably The Metropolitan Opera, New Duncan Dempster BRONZE ($5,000 - $9,999) Robert Donigan York City Opera, English National Opera, Andy Czjakowski Marie Fellenstein Hale Royal Opera House, Florida Grand Opera, Jan Gilman & Michael Tomjun Los Angeles Opera, and have appeared in HPAF MEMBER ($1,500 - $4,999) Peter Gregg film and television, on Broadway, National Marilyn and Carl Bernhardt Lani Howell Tours, and regionally. Paul Dahlquist and Family Peggy Kent Marcia and Stanley Wishnick Kerrill and Don Kephart Nancy Stephenson Steve Kittell Stephens & Stull, P.C. Everett Knowles The Kent-Menschke Ohana Nancy Lematta Monk’s Delight Kona Coffee Svetlana McMahon Sheldon Meier HOSPITALITY SPONSORS Joyce O’Connor The Fairmont Orchid Iva Peele Hawaii Preparatory Academy Sherry and Dave Pettus Hilo Hawaiian Hotel Barrie Rose The Westin Hapuna Beach Hotel Barbara Schaefer Shanon Sidell COMMUNITY SPONSORS Kim and Mark Snodgrass-Holmes Piano Planet Michael Thompson Kona Trans Rose Mae Watterson Bailey Wharton MEDIA PARTNERS Erik and Jeanne Witt Hawaii Public Radio Jan Wizinowich Big Island Music Magazine VOLUNTEERS MEDIA SPONSORS Olivia Ebrahimi Bonnie Stevenson Hawaii Tribune-Herald Michael Thompson Everett Knowles West Hawaii Today Lisa Chu-Thielbar Rona Lee North Hawaii News Lisa Wells Virginia Fortner Kathy Kurpita Sandra Griffin Kim Flitcraft Corinne Latham Cathi Keene Steven & Georjean Adams Shelene Grey Pat Perez Cheryl & Christal Nylin John Nakashima 4 5 Celebrating About Hawaii Performing Arts Festival GENETTE FREEMAN Now preparing for its fifteenth season on the Big Island, Hawaii Performing Hawaii Performing Arts Festival gratefully Arts Festival brings some of the most talented young musicians from Hawaii, acknowledges the work of Co-Founder the U.S., Canada, Australia, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, South America, and and Executive Director Emerita, Genette Europe to Hawaii Island each summer for intensive study and performance Freeman, for her 15 years of dedicated service and commitment. training, affording young artists the opportunity perform with professional Genette served as Co-Founder and Executive Director since the musicians under the guidance of some of the world’s most established teachers festival began on Hawai’i Island in 2005, following a pilot season and mentors. The results are astonishing. on Maui during the summer of 2004. Genette concluded her work as Executive Director in 2017, and transitioned to Director During the 2019 Summer Festival, nearly 20 concerts and staged performances of Development, where she served until her retirement in the fall will be presented, giving the students invaluable experience and privilege of 2018. Genette returns to the Big Island this summer, alongside of appearing on stage with some of the top musical artists in their field. her husband, Eric, as we recognize her longstanding commitment Performances are produced various venues around the Big Island. to HPAF. During the fall, winter, and spring months, HPAF offers special performances to In recognition of her 15 years of service, dedication, and support, help support scholarships for aspiring young artists to attend the festival each Hawaii Performing Arts Festival will award Genette Freeman the summer. Previous high season performances have included Jake Shimabukuro, title of Executive Director Emerita. Ofra Harnoy, and An Evening at the Stork Club — an HPAF original production. Please join us on Tuesday, July 16, at 7pm, as we honor Genette during Great Performances II. Admission is free. All MISSION STATEMENT donations collected at this event will benefit the Genette Freeman Scholarship Fund and provide support to local students in future HPAF is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the seasons. appreciation and advancement of classical music and musical theater, to offer a world-class music training and performance program in the inspirational setting of Hawaii, and to improve the education and elevate the spirit of all who participate, especially the local community. 6 7 Alumni HPAF Earns in Action National Acclaim HPAF earns the title of THEATER OF THE YEAR by HPAF alumna, soprano Cecilia Violetta López (‘11), BroadwayWorld Hawaii. (January 2019) has been named one of opera’s “25 Rising Stars” by Opera News. The singing actress is praised for her Executive Director “alluring voice and incredible range” (Washington & Stage Director Times). She has received accolades for her signature Justin John Moniz role of Violetta in La traviata, which she has recently accepts THIRD performed with Minnesota Opera, Virginia Opera, PLACE for HPAF’s Opera Tampa, Opera Idaho, and Charlottesville Opera. 2017 production of The Mikado during the National Opera Association’s Production HPAF alumnus, singer/actor Aidan Competition Awards Wharton (‘10, ‘11), is currently starring in Salt Lake City, UT. as Ren in Footloose at The Marriot Theatre (January 2019) in Lincolshire, IL. Aidan recently earned a Sara Law wins BEST ACTRESS IN A BFA in Musical Theatre from Penn State MUSICAL for her portrayal of Johanna in University and has appeared with Berkshire HPAF’s 2018 production of Sweeney Todd Theatre Group, Pioneer Theatre Company, by BroadwayWorld Hawaii.