MISSION STATEMENT:
Ohana Arts aims to inspire and engage people through high caliber educational and professional arts programs, and to cultivate an international family (Ohana) in the Pacific through the universal language of the arts.
STATEMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
Ohana Arts seeks to provide opportunities for students at varying levels of experience, ability, and skill levels in a nurturing yet disciplined environment in which they can develop to the fullest artistic, ethical, and intellectual standards as individuals and responsible members of a changing global society.
HISTORY OF OHANA ARTS
Ohana Arts Festival and School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2010 to provide Hawaii’s communities with professional and educational performing and visual arts programs of the highest caliber. In it’s first season, the program launched a seven-week summer musical theater workshop for youth ages 8-18 in which students received intensive training in acting, dance, and singing, while also receiving the opportunity to perform in a fully staged musical theater production. In it’s second season, the program nearly tripled in student participation from 23 to 57 enrolled. Ohana Arts instructors include voice teachers, choreographers, and directors with a wide variety of experiences, both from Hawaii and the mainland. The aim of the program is to provide students at varying levels of experience and skill levels a nurturing yet disciplined environment in which they can hone their skills, and in many cases, discover their talents.
In October 2011, Ohana Arts will present a Fall Festival of Music, a week of performances given by both local and mainland classical musicians which will include partnership concerts with Hawaii Public Radio, the University of Hawaii, Chaminade University, the Hawaii Vocal Arts Ensemble, the Momenta String Quartet from New York, and a production of the one woman chamber opera, “La Voix Humaine” which was first performed at the Greenwich Music Festival in Greenwich CT in June. The visiting string quartet will also give Master Classes and lecture recitals for both the University of Hawaii and Hawaii Pacific University’s music departments.
In June 2012, Ohana Arts plans to merge the festival and school programs to create a unique summer musical experience for participating students, teachers, and performing artists, as well as for the community at large. Ohana Arts projects more than 100 students participating in the summer school of the arts, and plans an exciting launch of its orchestral and chamber music programs for youth. Ohana Arts will also open its doors to young musicians and performing artists from the mainland and abroad in the 2012 summer season, with the aim of cultivating an international program. The summer’s events will be comprised of intensive training in the respective musical theater and classical music disciplines, as well as a variety of public student and professional performances, outdoor concerts and events for the community to enjoy.
