Case Middle School students joined hundreds of students from across the country to participate in two prestigious National Honor Choirs in Cincinnati, Ohio, in February. The 13 students were selected from over 1,000 singers through an audition process for coveted spots in the choirs, organized by the American Choral Directors Association.
Five sixth grade students – Lua Dogan ’29, Kira Habermann ’29, Kalea Holmes ’29, Lizzie Potter ’29 and Kira Unnerstall ’29 – were selected to sing in the Elementary Honor Choir under the direction of Grammy Award-winning musician Dr. Fernando Malvar-Ruiz.
Additionally, eight seventh and eighth grade students – Ellie Burton ’28, Aedan Humphreys ’27, Kara Lawas ’27, Connor Lee ’27, Julian Matsuura ’27, Jax Roster ’27, Olivia Spinks ’28 and Ahina Yamamoto ’28 – were chosen to sing in the SATB (soprano, alto, tenor and bass) Middle School Honor Choir with international music educator Dr. Andrea Ramsey as director.
Students prepared for the four day event with months of practice at Punahou and at home. While in Cincinnati, the students rehearsed for five to seven hours a day in lead up to an inspirational final performance in the breathtaking Cincinnati Music Hall.
The experience with the Honor Choir was meaningful for both students and their parents who accompanied them on the trip.
The experience was phenomenal. To meet other passionate and talented kids and meet the composers of the music they were singing was priceless.
Sharin Burton, parent of Ellie ’28
We had no idea that choir on a national level was such a serious and competitive activity! What an eye-opening experience.
Kim Yamamoto, parent of Ahina ’28