HONOLULU — Kenneth Hironaka, a graduate of Kaua‘i High School, a winner of the 2023 Na Hoku ‘Opio Young Stars competition, will be a featured soloist with the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra on Aug. 5.
The Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra, through its Na Hoku competition, spotlights the state’s brightest young musicians, and the winners will play solo repertoire with the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra at the Sheraton Starlight Festival concerts to be held at the Waikiki Shell during July and August.
Joining Hironaka as Na Hoku ‘Opio winners are Mira Tsunoda of Kalani High School, Celina Lim of Punahou School and Yiang Guo of ‘Iolani School.
“To perform as a soloist with a full symphony orchestra is an incredible opportunity for any young artist’s musical resume,” said Dave Moss, the CEO of Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra.
“Our community is home to some incredible young talent, and we are privileged to be able to spotlight their accomplishments as they head into the next phase of their educational and musical development.”
Hironaka has been playing the flute since he was 7 years old. He will be playing flute at “Dane’s Ultimate Season Mix-Tape” from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 5.
Na Hoku ‘Opio competition was open to high school students in their senior year who are full-time residents of Hawai‘i, for performance in strings, voice, piano, woodwinds, brass and percussion. Winners were selected by a team of HSO judges based on performances submitted via YouTube. Entrants were encouraged to select works from the baroque, classical and early romantic periods.
The competition has a decades-long history with notable winners from the past, including conductor Sarah Hicks, HSO librarian Kim Kiyabu, Dr. Bradford Lee, a Hawai‘i-based, internationally-acclaimed oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, and many more.
The 2023 Na Hoku ‘Opio Young Stars performances are sponsored by the Hawai‘i Youth Symphony.
For information about the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra, visit www.MyHSO.org. For the full concert schedule of the Sheraton Starlight Festival, visit www.MyHSO.org/Starlight.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
