Last year I was fortunate enough to be able to be part of this amazing program that is the Pow!Wow!Hawaii! School of Music. (PWSOM) The program will continue again this year beginning on Jan. 31 and continuing through Feb. 14.
The school is a two-week intensive music training and mentorship course focused on music education and artist exploration for Hawaii’s youth. PWSOM will provide a unique learning opportunity for a select group of student musicians of diverse backgrounds and musical styles between the ages of 12-18 who will explore the intersection of artists and art within the island community. The students will participate in a wide range of classes including music theory, music fundamentals, composition, improvisation, live sound, recording, performance, and the music business. Both local and national musicians, teachers, and music industry professionals will serve as the guiding force behind each lesson. Through this unique dynamic, teachers and students will compose, brainstorm, invent, collaborate, explore, and create together. The culminating event – a live music concert at POW!WOW! Hawaiʻi’s closing night festivities on Saturday, February 14, 2015 – will debut the students’ collaborative efforts in creating original musical arrangements and compositions.
If you’re in Hawaii and interested in taking part in this unique opportunity more info is below:
Musicians and singers (age 12-18) are welcome to attend the “Open Call” on Saturday, January 17, 2015 from 9:00am – 11:30am at Lana Lane Studios to meet the teachers and program coordinators. At the “Open Call,” the perspective students will be evaluated on their skill level, ability to be mentored and a willingness to collaborate for placement into the program. Official invitations will be sent to those selected on January 25, 2015.
PWSoM will run simultaneously with POW! WOW! HAWAIʻI, beginning just a few days earlier on January 31, 2015 and completing all curriculum and rehearsals by February 14, 2015. The main dates for PWSoM are as follows:
Saturday, Jan. 31 | 12:00pm to 3:00pm
Monday, Feb. 2 – Friday, Feb 6 | 5:00pm to 8:00pm
Saturday, Feb. 7 – Sunday, Feb 8 | 12:00pm to 5:00pm
Monday, Feb. 9 – Friday, Feb 13 | 5:00pm to 8:00pm
Saturday, Feb. 14 | 6:00 pm (closing night performance)
P WSoM will be entirely held at LANA LANE STUDIOS, 327 Lana Lane, Kaka’ako, Hawai’i
Each PWSoM teacher and artist delivers fresh, innovative ideas and teaching styles to the program. Each individual brings with them an incredible background of contributions to the local and national music scene. The full list of participating mentors is as follows:
Andy Song | co-Director of PWSoM x Composer/Guitarist x Sr Creative Director at Flexfit | BSCMP
Nicholas Kaleikini | co-Director of PWSoM x VP, Danny Kaleikini Foundation | Kaleikini Productions
Shing02 | International Hip-Hop Artist/Producer x Director x Inventor x Visual Artist
Gotaro Oshitari | co-Music Studio Director, Lana Lane Studios x Keyboardist/DJ x Graphic Designer
Christa Wittmier aka Supercw | Director of Marketing at Youngs Market Company x Columnist at
Honolulu Pulse x DJ
Tiffany Tanaka | Owner of Fresh Café/Loft in Space
Guest Artists
Irie Love | International Reggae Artist
Kimie Miner | International Reggae Artist
Osna Ronquilio | DJ for Common Kings x Producer x co-Music Studio Director at Lana Lane Studios
Danny Kaleikini | Ambassador of Aloha x Entertainer
Maria “Songbird” Remos | Lead Singer for Songbird & the Colors x DJ for Motown on Mondays
DJ Godiva | DJ and Producer at KTUH
Bob Nelson | World-famous Pianist x Composer of “Hanalei Moon” and “Maui Waltz”
Tara Shimooka | Former Corporate PR Manager for Universal Music Group (UMG)
Illis lt | Na Hoku Hanohano award winning Hip Hop Artist
*More Mentors and Guest Artists to be announced.