Yunxin An, PhD student in Composition, won the UH Bands/UH Music Student Composition Competition in January with her composition Neon Night. Neon Night is An’s first composition for wind ensemble, inspired by her concept of the modern-day nocturne. “When I stroll around the city these days, I often get this ‘unreal’ feeling. Everything, from the bright lights to the music …
PhD in Composition Student Jessica Ackerley wins first place at International Composer Institute of Thailand
PhD Composition student, Jessica Ackerley, won first place at the International Composer Institute of Thailand this past December having spent a week collaborating with the award-winning New Music ensemble, Tacet(i) for the premiere of the piece entitled, “To Grasp the Movement of the Sun.” For the institute, Ackerley was also mentored by UC Berkeley professor, Ken Ueno, and University of …
PhD in Composition student Paul Cosme published in Asian Music
Paul Cosme, PhD in Composition student, was recently published in the peer-reviewed journal Asian Music. His article “Beyond Interculturality: A Case for Intraculturality Among Composers from Southeast Asia” proposes Southeast Asian interconnections as “intracultural” rather than “intercultural” as illustrated by composers from this region. “It is important to recognize that Southeast Asia is already vibrant and composed of many varying …
First Competition of New Works for the The Kauila Oboe Announces Award Winners
The first-ever composition competition for the Kauila Oboe announces the winners: Contestants were tasked with creating new music that honors and extends the legacy of the Kauila Oboe which was commissioned by J. Scott Janusch, former Hawaii Symphony principal oboist, and created from the wood of a rare 300-year-old Hawaiian kauila tree, felled during a hurricane on Kauai. Special thanks …
Joe Williams, PhD student, receives the 2026 Vanguard Award for Classical Innovation and Community Impact
Joe Williams, a PhD student and Graduate Assistant at the Department of Music, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Vanguard Award for Classical Innovation and Community Impact. Presented by Javacya Arts Conservatory, this award celebrates Williams’ multifaceted career as a recording artist, administrator and pedagogue. As the final mentee of pioneering pianist Frances Walker Slocum (1924-2018), Williams understands …
Paul Gabriel Cosme, Finalist at the Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival
Paul Gabriel Cosme was named a finalist for the 2025 Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival Choral Composition Competition with his composition, “When I Sing to Myself, Who Listens?.” Cosme is a composer and scholar of Filipino music. He is a graduate of Macalester College and is now a PhD student in composition at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa. …
UH PhD Student, Jessica Ackerley, Finalist at Music Festival in Austria.
In September, Jessica Ackerley, PhD student in composition, attended the Bludenzer Tage Zeitgeäßer Musik, an international contemporary music festival in Austria. Ackerley was one of five composers selected for a workshop, and the sole scholarship awardee at the event, hosted by composer and performance artist, Elena Rykova, and the Blaurenz Duo. The Blaurenz Duo premiered her piece, 80 20.61′ N.
UH Ethnomusicology Student, Lorelei Harrel, Presents in London on Taylor Swift
UH Mānoa Ethnomusicology graduate student, Lorelei Harrel, traveled to London for the Fifth International Women’s Work in Music Conference. She presented her paper, “No One Likes a Mad Woman: An Examination of the Online Hate of Taylor Swift,” an experience that allowed her to network with other scholars and represent the UH Department of Music in an international setting. The …
Governor Event Performance
The UH Mānoa Department of Music was represented at a high profile event this past May, when our very own Emi Obana and Marcus Moore performed at the “Honoring the Legacy of Governor John A. Burns” commemorative event, held at the John A. Burns School of Medicine. Marcus, a masters composition student, and Emi, a PhD composition student, performed several …
First-of-its-Kind Orvis Guest Artist Residency
The Music Department was thrilled to welcome baritone Andrew Garland and pianist José Meléndez for a first-of-its-kind Orvis Guest Artist Residency featuring seven UH Mānoa voice students. Amy Taba, Noah Alcantara, Sydney Branch, Audrey Walters, Nicole Ikeda Cossi, Dennis Dilwith III, and Kaelyn Howard worked intensely with Garland and Meléndez in lessons and coachings for two weeks in an unparalleled …