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175th Anniversary

Punahou Presents

Punahou presents its 175th Anniversary celebration.

Watch the program below and learn more about those involved who made it possible.

List of 11 items.

  • Punahou Stand Strong

    Music and lyrics by Roslyn Freitas ’82 Catracchia
    Contemporary choreography by Ahnya Chang ’97
    Hula choreography by Emma McGuire ’93

    Soloists
    Roslyn Freitas ’82 Catracchia, Summer Derrickson ’16, Celia Kenney ’16

    Ensemble
    Ahnya Chang ’97, Kana‘i Eldredge ’16, Evan Haines ’16, Haley Kagimoto ’16, ‘Aukai Lileikis ’16, Emma McGuire ’93, Ariana Miyake ’16, J.P. Muasau ’16, Helena Schaefer ’14, Janie Schaefer ’15

    Kupuna and Keiki
    Vicky Hollinger ’59 and Kamaka‘alohia McGuire-Yap ’27, Charlys Ing ’63 and Kristin Ing ’90 Aune, Tom “Tiger” Metcalf and Paris Priore-Kim ’76

    Hula Dancers
    ‘Anela Apo ’16, Kalpana Balaraman ’16, Madison Garcia ’16, Allie Saunders ’16

    Contemporary Dancers
    Fiona Chin ’16, Kiersten Chong ’16, Laura Hollison ’16, Katherine Lin ’16, Madison Miura ’16, Korilyn Okamoto ’16, Kaydi Onaga ’16
  • “America” from “West Side Story”

    Music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
    Choreography by Andrew Sakaguchi ’88

    Cristyn Dang ’15 as Teresita, Candice Hatakeyama ’17 as Consuelo, Kelly Kwan ’14 as Estella, Kiana Lum ’16 as Rosalia, Sumire Matsubara ’09 as Anita, Melissa Miura ’15 as Francisca
  • “Why God, Why?” from “Miss Saigon”

    Music and lyrics by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil
    Willy Falk ’76
  • “12 Short Pieces for Violin and Piano”

    Sir Hubert Parry, composer
    Laura Keller ’06 (violin) and Beryl Yanagi-Fujita (piano)
  • “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” from “Les Miserables”

    Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer
    Jason Tam ’01
  • “Something Wonderful” from “The King and I”

    Music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
    Sumire Matsubara ’09
  • “The Manson Trio” from “Pippin”

    Music by Stephen Schwartz
    Choreography by Bob Fosse, recreated by Andrew Sakaguchi ’88
    Kristin Ing ’90 Aune, Ahnya Chang ’97, Andrew Sakaguchi ’88
  • “As Long as He Needs Me” from “Oliver!”

    Music and lyrics by Lionel Bart
    Riley Noland ’18
  • “Rhapsody in Blue”

    George Gershwin, composer
    Choreographed by Charlys Ing ’63
    Beryl Yanagi-Fugita and Jennifer Perry ’85 on piano

    Ke‘ala Akau ’18, Kaitlyn Buehler ’18, Cristyn Dang ’15, Candice Hatakeyama ’17, Kaitlin Hennessey ’18, Caitlyn Kwan ’17, Kelly Kwan ’14, Katherine Lin ’16, Claire Mai ’17, Melissa Miura ’15, Madison Miura ’16, Kristin Nishimura ’14, Talia Preis ’17
  • “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”

    Music by Harold Arlen, lyrics by E.Y. Harburg
    Lea Woods Friedman ’93 Almanza
  • “One” from “A Chorus Line”

    Music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban

    Kristin Ing ’90 Aune, Lindsey Bailey ’08, Pauline Lo ’71 Bailey, Ahnya Chang ’97, Leanne Day ’03, Jackie Dowsett ’98 Ballinger, Willy Falk ’76, Kikilia Fordham ’82, Allison Higa ’86, Rick Manayan ’13, Sumire Matsubara ’09, Andrew Sakaguchi ’88, Janie Schaefer ’15, Jason Tam ’01, Heather Taylor ’92, Brenda Wong ’76 Yim

Featured Performers

List of 9 items.

  • Lea Woods Friedman ’93 Almanza

    From singing along with Mr. Yorck in 1st grade, performing as a Holoku director and musician under the guidance of Kumu Dave, to her favorite Dillingham Hall memory of sophomore year in the musical “Peter Pan” as Wendy – sharing the stage with her baby brother John '02 as Michael Darling, her 13 years at Punahou truly helped to nurture Lea’s love and joy in music through all genres. Even when performing professionally around the globe as an opera singer, Lea knew O‘ahu was where she wanted to raise a family. Thus, with great gratitude she is now able to watch her own two kids start their Punahou journey on this amazing campus! She breathes each day grateful to Live Joy & Give Joy through the gift of music with her LWA Vocal Studio students and performing at Diamond Head Theatre
  • Kristin Ing ’90 Aune

    Kristin is on the faculty at Punahou Dance School, and is honored to work with this exceptional community and teach alongside her mother, Charlys Ing. She also teaches dance classes for the Parkinson’s community. Punahou, Yale University, Harvard Graduate School of Education. Inspiration - her brilliant students and colleagues inspire her every day!
  • Roslyn Freitas ’82 Catracchia

    Roz is a songwriter, playwright, musical director, singer, teacher, worship leader and lifelong learner. She is Director of Worship and Performing Arts at First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu. Roz attended the University of Hawai‘i ’88, B.A. in Liberal Studies with a self-designed “Creative Arts” major, combining combined Art, Music, Drama, Speech and Poetry. Inspiration - her mother, Beebe Freitas, is her first and primary inspiration, and Dr. Scott’s speeches to the graduating class over the past 10+ years have deepened her love for the School and her desire to give back. “Watching students respond and fall in love with singing and music, truly rocks my world. I sing my praises to Jesus forever and ever! I am a very thankful girl.”
  • Ahnya Chang ’97

    Ahnya is on the faculty at Punahou Dance School, and is a performer,
    director, and choreographer in Honolulu. She spent several years as a Teaching Artist with the National Dance Institute, and trained in Kathak dance in New Delhi and New York City, where she performed with the Kathak Ensemble. Inspiration - Her teachers and colleagues, who continue to remind her how much there is to share with students and audiences. “Creative arts and live performance bring out unique qualities in all who have the privilege to participate, and help us be our best in every area of our lives. Arts educators have a special opportunity to reach people and guide them toward that level of personal excellence.”
  • Willy Falk ’76

    Based in New York City for the past 34 years, Willy is a Tony-nominated veteran of seven Broadway shows, numerous off-Broadway shows and touring companies, as well as opera and concert work in the U.S. and abroad. As a performer, it is his hope to entertain and to make people happy. At Punahou, encouraged by his voice and dance teachers, Willy received a scholarship for his lessons. In addition to a strong academic foundation, he was exposed to the performing arts which changed his life, and for which he will always be grateful. Willy attended Harvard University ’79, B.A. in English and American Literature; The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art ’80. Inspiration - “people who do the right thing even if it is not the easy thing.”
  • Laura Keller ’06

    Laura began playing the violin at age three and has performed ever since. From kindergarten through graduation, Punahou helped to foster the importance of sharing her gift and love of music with others. Laura sees “giving back” as a way of saying a heartfelt thank you! She currently lives in San Francisco, is a violin faculty member at the East Bay Center for Performing Arts, and performs throughout the Bay Area. Laura attended New England Conservatory ’10, Bachelor of Music; Yale University ’12, Master of Music. Inspiration - “the experiences I’ve had and the people who have taught me the things that have shaped my world and who I am.”
  • Sumire Matsubara ’09

    Entertainment has been in Sumi’s blood through her grandfather and grandmother on both sides of the family. She was “bitten by the theatre bug” in her first summer musical, “Once On This Island,” in 7th grade at Punahou. Sumi attended Carnegie Mellon University. Inspiration - her mother, stepfather, brother Oliver, friends, teachers and mentors. “Without their help and guidance and love, I could’ve never achieved the things I have in my life.”
  • Andrew Sakaguchi ’88

    A dancer/singer/actor, teacher, director and choreographer based in New York City, Andrew has had an extensive career in dance and musical theater that has taken him around the world. He has fond memories performing on the Dillingham stage with Punahou Dance School, Dance Theater, and Chorale, and it is a pleasure and a privilege for him to return home. He also notes, “I’m proud to perform in memory of the wonderful Gary Heidel.” Inspiration – “So many people have inspired me, so I will choose the children: They thrill me with their possibility and demand that I do my all to empower them toward a bright and limitless future.”
  • Jason Tam ’01

    Jason’s numerous credits include: Broadway: “If/Then,” “Lysistrata Jones,” “A Chorus Line,” “Les Misérables.” Off-Broadway: “Marry Me A Little.” Regional: Guthrie Theatre, Sacramento Music Circus, Casa Mañana, Sharon Playhouse. NY/Workshop: “Nobody Loves You,” “Allegiance,” “The Last Goodbye,” “Clueless,” “The Black Suits,” “The Nightingale,” “The Yellow Wood.” TV: “Do No Harm,” “Hawaii 5-0,” “Guilty,” “One Life to Live,” “Beyond the Break.” Film: “Every Little Step” (documentary). Jason attended New York University ’05, B.F.A.

Musicians

List of 7 items.

  • Clark Bright

    Clarke is thankful to God to be able to serve Him and others with the gift of music. He loves and is so proud of his family and being able to partner with others in creating an art form that will serve, honor and bless the community. Clarke graduated from the University of Hawai‘i ’87, B.Ed. and a secondary degree in Music. He is inspired by his Dad, the late Ron Bright.
  • Matthew Cody Love ’05

    Matt is a freelance musician, performing and teaching locally. He can most often be found on stage with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, but also plays a wide variety of music across the island. Matt studied double bass performance at the New England Conservatory in Boston. He loves returning to campus whenever he can. Whether he’s teaching music in Montague or recording a concert in Dillingham, he feels a sense of joy to be able to give back to the Punahou community. Inspiration - his colleagues, and he “finds the passion and perseverance of his students most intoxicating and truly a daily gift.”
  • Sachi Hirakouji

    Sachi can be seen all over campus as an accompanist for Punahou choirs and theater productions, private voice students and string students. She graduated from the University of Hawai‘i and University of Washington with degrees in piano performance. Inspiration – “the community that appreciates and understands the life-impact of performing arts and those who show their passion for performing arts on stage.”
  • Allen Murabayashi ’90

    Allen is a New York-based Internet entrepreneur, who notes that he loves to eat, and flosses daily. Allen attended Yale University ’94, majoring in Music. Inspiration – “meeting someone new with a great voice! Punahou has helped produce so many talented alumni, and it is a pleasure to play with them.”
  • Duane Padilla

    Duane has been a violin teacher at Punahou Music School since 2003 and serves on the National Board of the American String Teachers Association. He performs with Hot Club of Hulaville, L'Escargot and Tuscany. Growing up, Duane was taken “under the wing” of mentors that helped to “show him the way.” Teaching at Punahou is his way of paying that gift forward. Duane attended Northwestern University, Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance and B.A. in Psychology; Yale University, Master of Music in Violin and Violin Performance. Inspiration - Duane’s guiding force comes from the great violin pedagogue Shinichi Suzuki: “Where love is deep, much can be accomplished.”
  • Jennifer Perry ’85

    Jennifer is a proud graduate of Punahou and the University of Colorado, where she earned a Bachelor and Master of Music in piano performance, chamber music, accompanying, music theory, and ethnomusicology, and a M.S. in Oriental Medicine and is a licensed acupuncturist.
  • Beryl Yanagi-Fujita

    Since 1982, Beryl has been a member of the piano faculty at Punahou Music School and teachs private and group lessons. As a collaborative artist for the past 40 years, Beryl’s credits are numerous across the Islands. Beryl attended University of Hawai‘i, Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance; and the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, Master of Music in Piano Performance. Inspiration - her mentors: Isabel Haran, Martha Kunimura, Paul Lyddon, David Burge and Beebe Freitas; students, past and present; and colleagues and friends in the Music School and throughout the campus and community.

Additional Performers

List of 16 items.

  • Pauline Lo ’71 Bailey

    “Dance allowed me to explore world cultures; inspired passion, commitment, creativity, and hope. Dance saved my life.” Pauline is currently a Punahou administrator. University of the Pacific in English Literature; California State University at Northridge in Education. Inspiration – “my daughters.”
  • Leanne Day ‘03

    “Performing offers a medium to not only express myself, but to also communicate with an audience in ways that transcend verbal conversation.” Scripps College '07 with an English Honors major; University of Washington M.A. in English; and currently in the Ph.D. program at the University of Washington. Inspiration – “my parents.”
  • Jackie Dowsett ’98 Ballinger

    As a dancer, you may have seen Jackie as a backup dancer for Cher, a Radio City Rockette or a Cheerio in “Glee.” Most recently, she choreographed Punahou’s productions of “The Pajama Game” and “Beauty and the Beast.” Southern Methodist University, B.F.A. in Dance Performance and Elementary Education ’02 magna cum laude. Inspiration - Teachers. “A great teacher can change a student’s life!”
  • Kikilia Fordham ’82

    Kikilia is in Advancement at Punahou School. SUNY Purchase ’86, B.F.A. in Dance; Boston University ’95, M.S. in Administration. Inspiration – Jean Erdman ’33 Campbell “for making me feel like I could do anything and of course to my ‘ruggies; Janiepayne ’15, Lenabugz ’14, Rudedog ’08 and AllieKat Schaefer who don’t take me too seriously.”
  • Vicky Hollinger ‘59

    “Performing with the Punahou Alumni Glee Club keeps me connected to our school and enables me to share my music and knowledge of Hawaiian language and culture with our Glee members and those for whom we perform.” San Francisco State College, B.A. Humanities.
  • Charlys Ing ’63

    Charlys has been the director of Punahou Dance School since 1989. Wellesley College B.A. ’67; University of Hawai‘i ’72, M.Ed. Inspiration - “I am inspired by the joy, enthusiasm and confidence exuded by our dance students and by the artistry and commitment of our extraordinary Dance School faculty.”
  • Kelly Kwan ’14

    “I’m an adventure-seeking, brunch-loving, accident-prone, Netflix-obsessed, sleep-deprived, about-to-be junior at Scripps College in Claremont, California.” Majoring in Humanities: Interdisciplinary Studies in Culture with a focus on Human Rights and Social Justice, with a Chinese minor. Inspiration - “My Mom.”
  • Rick Hong Manayan ’13

    Rick is a choreographer/dancer/poet in Middletown, Connecticut and Honolulu. Wesleyan University ’17 majoring in dance and sociology. Inspiration – “my family and those who’ve taken me in regardless of my location/circumstances.”
  • Emma Mcguire ’93

    Emma is currently an Academy Hawaiian language teacher. University of Hawai‘i, B.Ed. in elementary education and M.A. in Hawaiian language. Inspiration – “the people in my life who struggle in their own ways and continue to persevere.”
  • Tiger Tom Metcalf, The Dancing Dean

    Tom started at Punahou as a 6th-grade teacher in 1950 and retired in 1990 as an Academy class dean, having graduated eight classes. Middlebury College '49, B.A.; Columbia University, Teachers College '61, M.A. in Guidance and Counseling. Inspiration – “Jo Flanders ‘discovered’ me in a Faculty Talent Show. I owe it all to her. Just a ham at heart!”
  • Melissa Miura '15

    Melissa attends Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. Inspiration - Charlys Ing.
  • Kristin Nishimura '14

    Attends Scripps College, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Dance, and will be studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark during fall ’16. Inspiration – “I have been inspired to give back to Punahou through helping young dancers in dance classes.”
  • Janie Schaefer ’15

    Attends Ithaca College working toward a B.F.A. in Acting. Inspiration – “my Mom, Kikilia Fordham.”
  • Helena Schaefer ’14

    Attends Sarah Lawrence College ’18 Yonkers, New York. Inspiration - “Music inspires me to express my own creativity and artistic abilities. Working as a common thread for humanity and nature across the globe, music inspires me to learn about and understand a wide variety of cultures, while motivating me to use that knowledge and skill to affect global change.”
  • Heather Taylor ’92

    “Telling a story through dance and song feeds my soul.” Heather is the Junior School Drama Resource Teacher at Punahou. University of Virginia, B.A. in Math, M.T. in Secondary Education; Columbia University Teachers College, M.Ed. in Private School Leadership. Inspiration – “everyone who has a passion and follows it.”
  • Brenda Wong ’76 Yim

    Brenda currently works with her husband, Dr. Ernie Yim, in a private medical practice and as director of The Dancing Docs! University of California Irvine and UCLA, majoring in Fine Arts. Inspiration – “my six children – Amber, Eric, Brandon, Ryan, Jade and Nicholas Noah. I keep active ‘dancing around’ the never-ending surprises they bring to my life.”

The Band

Musical Director, Roslyn Freitas ’82 Catracchia; Keyboard I, Sachi Hirakouji; Keyboard II/Cello, Allen Murabayashi ’90; Bass, Matthew Cody Love ’05; Violin, Duane Padilla; Drums/Percussion, Clarke Bright

Production Team

Director and Stage Manager, Paul D. Palmore; Musical Director, Roslyn Freitas ’82 Catracchia; Technical Director and Light Design, P. Brian Gilhooly; Assistant Technical Director, Travis Flazer; Set Design, Paul D. Palmore, P. Brian Gilhooly, Travis Flazer; Lighting Design, P. Brian Gilhooly; Costume Design, Vickie Van Wagner; Assistant Costume Coordinator, Dvorah Neubauer Governale; Sound, Chris Gouveia ’00; Assistant Stage Manager, Erica Ito ’17; Follow Spots, Kristen Takebayashi ’16, Marissa Takebayashi ’16; Tickets, Krystle Hara ’03, Lisa Amador, Jessica Wong ’81
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