4 Thursday, July 20, 2017 Island Beat Hawaii Tribune-Herald more modern material in that world, like Gilbert and Sullivan,” she says. Dunnington works with the singers to learn how to put an acting score on their song, teaching them that acting is “real behavior in imaginary circumstances.” The work of all involved is allowing students the opportunity to receive classical training from highly qualified professionals from all over the world and pushing them beyond their comfort zone. HPAF is a strong advocate for music education. “When addressing our audience at concerts, I sometimes ask, ‘How many of you had music classes in school as a child?’” Freeman says. “Usually, many hands shoot up. People begin to realize that in many elementary, middle and high schools, there are no music classes, let alone instruction in classical music, and a sense of sadness comes over the room. Most older people realize that music classes and performing music played an integral part in their lives — developing social, cognitive and math skills, as well as just keeping them out of trouble.” One young vocalist performing in the Young Singers Showcase is Stacee Firestone of Kapaau, a student at Parker School, who at the age of 15 has performed in two full-length HPAF operas. She joins the cast of young singers in this performance, showcasing “Le Violete” by Alessandro Scarlatti and “Poor Wandering One” by Gilbert and Sullivan. “In the three years we’ve been working with Stacee, she has grown into an accomplished artist, recently competing in two national competitions, placing in the top 11 nationwide,” says HPAF artistic director Val Underwood. Firestone says HPAF has shown her that hard work and passion for what you do pays off. “If I work hard and enjoy what I’m doing, I can become a talented opera singer,” Firestone says. “HPAF has teachers and students from all over the world — from China to Canada — who I can learn from. Plus, I get to make new friends at the festival who will be with me for a lifetime.” Firestone begged to take voice lessons when she was 8. “I love everything about singing — I love how it makes me feel and how it makes others feel too,” she says. “I think it’s astonishing how so much beauty and volume can be projected by one person.” This is Simon Lea’s first time participating in HPAF. He will perform “Amarilli mia bella” by Giulio Caccini, a song chosen for him by Underwood. “The main challenge of this song is that it is the first one I have learned and sung in the baritone range,” Lea says. Fifteen-year-old Lea has been singing since he was little for two reasons: “You can do it anywhere at any time because it doesn’t require an instrument; and I feel it is the most pure instrument. There are so many variations you can add to it,” he says. The Young Singer’s Showcase offers a nice blend of music from various time periods, which Lea thinks the audience will enjoy. “There’s everything from Baroque to modern (pieces), sung in all different languages, including English, Italian, French and German,” he says. “There will also be a combination of group pieces, solos, duets and trios. It’s an experience to be able to see young singers at the start of their development.” Thomas Zhang has been singing for as long as he can remember, and he enjoys choir, opera and a cappella vocals. He will perform “Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja’ from Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” and “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General” from Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance.” “I was given these pieces to sing by my voice teacher and the festival, respectively,” says Zhang, who is participating in HPAF for the first time. “These pieces challenge me because they both require me to clearly deliver text at a rapid pace while at the same time acting out the characters, who are both very full of life.” Zhang plans to study music in college and would like to pursue a career in composition — specifically choral pieces and/or video game soundtracks. “Audiences can expect a showcase of talented young actors and singers performing fun pieces both classical and contemporary,” he says. “We’ve been hard at work the past few weeks in order to make this a polished and enjoyable performance. Please come celebrate the culmination of our time in Hawaii with a night of festive song.” To purchase tickets or for more information, call 333-7378 or visit www.HawaiiPerformingArtsFestival. org. Email Katie Young Yamanaka at BIVHawaii@ gmail.com. SHOWCASE From page 2
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