Congratulations Senior Class 2024
Lily Carlson
Joined HYOC in 2015 as a 4th grader in the Coro Ensemble. Has been a member of HYOC for 9 years:
Graduating from: Radford High School
.
Additional Activities outside of HYOC: Member of the Young Voices Program with the Hawaii Opera Theater
Attending in the Fall: University of Hawaii Leedward Community College and will transfer to UH Manoa.
What has your time with HYOC meant for you? What impact do you see it having on your future?
What has HYOC given to you that you will take with you on your life’s journey?
HYOC has given me so many opportunities which I am so grateful for. It has taught me music theory, other languages, how to sing with others and follow your conductor. It taught me how to dance and tell a story when performing. HYOC will forever be a part of my foundation in music. Lily says it’s important to learn what you are singing about, not just the words or the translations but the deeper meaning behind our music and where it came from.
What words of wisdom would you like to leave for your “younger HYOC brothers & sisters”?
Appreciate it while it lasts, it will go by faster than you think. Pay attention and learn because it can open a world of opportunities. Own your mistakes, don't be afraid to mess up, it'll only make you better. Most importantly make friends while you're here because these relationships will last for many years to come. These people you sing with will become a second family and HYOC will become a second home.
Joined HYOC in 2015 as a 4th grader in the Coro Ensemble. Has been a member of HYOC for 9 years:
Graduating from: Radford High School
.
Additional Activities outside of HYOC: Member of the Young Voices Program with the Hawaii Opera Theater
Attending in the Fall: University of Hawaii Leedward Community College and will transfer to UH Manoa.
What has your time with HYOC meant for you? What impact do you see it having on your future?
What has HYOC given to you that you will take with you on your life’s journey?
HYOC has given me so many opportunities which I am so grateful for. It has taught me music theory, other languages, how to sing with others and follow your conductor. It taught me how to dance and tell a story when performing. HYOC will forever be a part of my foundation in music. Lily says it’s important to learn what you are singing about, not just the words or the translations but the deeper meaning behind our music and where it came from.
What words of wisdom would you like to leave for your “younger HYOC brothers & sisters”?
Appreciate it while it lasts, it will go by faster than you think. Pay attention and learn because it can open a world of opportunities. Own your mistakes, don't be afraid to mess up, it'll only make you better. Most importantly make friends while you're here because these relationships will last for many years to come. These people you sing with will become a second family and HYOC will become a second home.
Petar Kai Miocinovic
When did you join HYOC?
Joined HYOC in 2011 as a 1st grader in the Stelline Ensemble and has been a member for 12 years.
Graduating From? Mid Pacific Institute - IB program
Fall Plans?: Vassar College and will be playing on the Volleyball team
AP classes or Awards?: Advanced Placement (AP) class in: Calculus AB. He is also was enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Program with classes including: Physics SL, Chemistry SL, Hiology HL, Calculus 2, English HL, Theory of Knowledge, Environmental Systems and Societies SL
Additional Activities outside of HYOC?
He received the Outstanding Student Award for Integrated Science II, and is in the National Honor Society for High School Scholars and has been on the Presidents List for four (4) consecutive years. He also played Volleyball and was on the first team ILH Volleyball in 2023 & 2024. While at HYOC he also participated as an active athlete in the following sports: Club & School Volleyball, Club & School Tennis, Water Polo & Swimming. He volunteered as a Junior Leader at the Hawaii Nature Center and took Piano and was in three (3) school productions.
What has your time with HYOC meant for you? What impact do you see it having on your future?
I fell in love with singing on the Saturday morning 12 years ago during which I had my first
Stelline rehearsal. As the years passed by — slowly at first, and much quicker as I got older --
this passion grew. Only now that I am a senior do I begin to comprehend how much I learned,
and how much wisdom was passed down to me by the directors over those 12 short years. Along with being a great opportunity for me to sing in various world languages, HYOC was one way for me to immerse myself in Hawaiian culture through hula and the various pieces we sang; compositions spanning centuries and telling legends and stories about the history and people of Hawaii. I will never forget the willingness and munificence with which the gifts of music were shared with me during my time at HYOC.
What has HYOC given to you that you will take with you on your life’s journey?
I am now armed with the knowledge of key signatures, beats per bar, crescendos, fermatas, dynamics, harmonies… in other words, the language of music, which I consider comparable to any of the other languages I speak, and equally, if not more vital and significant. Truly the language that connects all of humanity. I will continue to engage in choir and music as much as I can as I head into college and further into life. I will also pack up the power of discipline, diligence, persistence, patience, teamwork, and the repetition as a reliable learning tool.
What words of wisdom would you like to leave for your “younger HYOC brothers & sisters”?
First off, NEVER FORGET YOUR PENCIL! Never have I been more ashamed of forgetting such a little object such as the pencil, than when Aunty Nola looks at you with, you know, that look, and reminds you of how many pikake leis you owe her, or when the dreaded “no dinner foryou” escapes her lips. Trust me, you want to eat dinner, and although your yard might smell sweeter with an army of pikake bushes, you’ll want some of that space to yourself occasionally.
Secondly: “early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable,” one of my favorite quotes courtesy of Aunty Nola. Getting up on a Saturday morning is tough, but there’s nothing better than starting the day with a cheerful tune.
Lastly, have as much fun as you can, because there’s two types of tears at Spring Concert: sad tears that you won’t be spending any more time at HYOC to learn more, and happy tears, knowing you enjoyed your time and will head into life with the full support of everyone you’ve met there.
When did you join HYOC?
Joined HYOC in 2011 as a 1st grader in the Stelline Ensemble and has been a member for 12 years.
Graduating From? Mid Pacific Institute - IB program
Fall Plans?: Vassar College and will be playing on the Volleyball team
AP classes or Awards?: Advanced Placement (AP) class in: Calculus AB. He is also was enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Program with classes including: Physics SL, Chemistry SL, Hiology HL, Calculus 2, English HL, Theory of Knowledge, Environmental Systems and Societies SL
Additional Activities outside of HYOC?
He received the Outstanding Student Award for Integrated Science II, and is in the National Honor Society for High School Scholars and has been on the Presidents List for four (4) consecutive years. He also played Volleyball and was on the first team ILH Volleyball in 2023 & 2024. While at HYOC he also participated as an active athlete in the following sports: Club & School Volleyball, Club & School Tennis, Water Polo & Swimming. He volunteered as a Junior Leader at the Hawaii Nature Center and took Piano and was in three (3) school productions.
What has your time with HYOC meant for you? What impact do you see it having on your future?
I fell in love with singing on the Saturday morning 12 years ago during which I had my first
Stelline rehearsal. As the years passed by — slowly at first, and much quicker as I got older --
this passion grew. Only now that I am a senior do I begin to comprehend how much I learned,
and how much wisdom was passed down to me by the directors over those 12 short years. Along with being a great opportunity for me to sing in various world languages, HYOC was one way for me to immerse myself in Hawaiian culture through hula and the various pieces we sang; compositions spanning centuries and telling legends and stories about the history and people of Hawaii. I will never forget the willingness and munificence with which the gifts of music were shared with me during my time at HYOC.
What has HYOC given to you that you will take with you on your life’s journey?
I am now armed with the knowledge of key signatures, beats per bar, crescendos, fermatas, dynamics, harmonies… in other words, the language of music, which I consider comparable to any of the other languages I speak, and equally, if not more vital and significant. Truly the language that connects all of humanity. I will continue to engage in choir and music as much as I can as I head into college and further into life. I will also pack up the power of discipline, diligence, persistence, patience, teamwork, and the repetition as a reliable learning tool.
What words of wisdom would you like to leave for your “younger HYOC brothers & sisters”?
First off, NEVER FORGET YOUR PENCIL! Never have I been more ashamed of forgetting such a little object such as the pencil, than when Aunty Nola looks at you with, you know, that look, and reminds you of how many pikake leis you owe her, or when the dreaded “no dinner foryou” escapes her lips. Trust me, you want to eat dinner, and although your yard might smell sweeter with an army of pikake bushes, you’ll want some of that space to yourself occasionally.
Secondly: “early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable,” one of my favorite quotes courtesy of Aunty Nola. Getting up on a Saturday morning is tough, but there’s nothing better than starting the day with a cheerful tune.
Lastly, have as much fun as you can, because there’s two types of tears at Spring Concert: sad tears that you won’t be spending any more time at HYOC to learn more, and happy tears, knowing you enjoyed your time and will head into life with the full support of everyone you’ve met there.
Grant Sung
Joined HYOC: Joined HYOC in 2018 as a 7th grader in the Cantilena Ensemble. He has been a member for 6 years.
Graduating from: Iolani School
Fall Plans: University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
What AP classes or Awards: AP: UH History, Physics 1, Physics C, English Literature, Computer Science Principles, Calculus BC. He is a National Merit Finalist and Cum Laude Certificate and Top Scholar at `Iolani!
Additional Activities Outside of HYOC: Musical Theater, tutoring, a member of the Key Club and volunteered working with the elderly.
What has your time with HYOC meant for you? What impact do you see it having on your future?
My time with HYOC has been filled with both lessons and fun. HYOC’s been the place where I can share my passion of singing with a larger community than just my school or family- I’ve really enjoyed all the opportunities we’ve gotten to perform at the Aloha Parade or Kawaiaha`o Church. It’s also been terribly fun to sing alongside others who enjoy singing to such a degree; I’ve formed deep bonds with my fellow seniors and other Gioventu members over the many
years we’ve performed together.
What has HYOC given to you that you will take with you on your life’s journey?
Because of HYOC, I know I’ll have the confidence to continue singing and, in general, putting myself out there in the future, in college, and in life. Grant says the impact of HYOC has trained my ability to perform. All the times we’ve gone on a stage or altar have taught me to put on a brave face and look happy through everything. No matter what happens, I can always keep smiling and going through a performance or even general task until it’s over, which is a skill that I think is applicable to all fields of life. HYOC has also given me a good awareness of time and meetings. Out of all the activities I do in my life, HYOC is the one that emphasizes being early the most- after all, “early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable.” Time management is a very important skill, and I’m glad HYOC has trained it.
Finally, as I mentioned before, HYOC has given me confidence in myself and in my passion, and that confidence is something that will always remain with me.
What words of wisdom would you like to leave for your “younger HYOC brothers & sisters”?
1) Always remember your music, water bottle, and pencil. I’m sure everyone else has something about this, but that just shows how important it is! These are your main instruments for success (besides your voice, of course). 2) If you have a conflict with a rehearsal or performance, email your directors AT LEAST a week in advance, if possible. “Early ison time” applies to more than just concerts. 3) Have fun! Singing should be fun, and singing with others should be even more fun. Appreciate the time you have to learn new things and truly experience the HYOC community- there’s nothing else like it.
Joined HYOC: Joined HYOC in 2018 as a 7th grader in the Cantilena Ensemble. He has been a member for 6 years.
Graduating from: Iolani School
Fall Plans: University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
What AP classes or Awards: AP: UH History, Physics 1, Physics C, English Literature, Computer Science Principles, Calculus BC. He is a National Merit Finalist and Cum Laude Certificate and Top Scholar at `Iolani!
Additional Activities Outside of HYOC: Musical Theater, tutoring, a member of the Key Club and volunteered working with the elderly.
What has your time with HYOC meant for you? What impact do you see it having on your future?
My time with HYOC has been filled with both lessons and fun. HYOC’s been the place where I can share my passion of singing with a larger community than just my school or family- I’ve really enjoyed all the opportunities we’ve gotten to perform at the Aloha Parade or Kawaiaha`o Church. It’s also been terribly fun to sing alongside others who enjoy singing to such a degree; I’ve formed deep bonds with my fellow seniors and other Gioventu members over the many
years we’ve performed together.
What has HYOC given to you that you will take with you on your life’s journey?
Because of HYOC, I know I’ll have the confidence to continue singing and, in general, putting myself out there in the future, in college, and in life. Grant says the impact of HYOC has trained my ability to perform. All the times we’ve gone on a stage or altar have taught me to put on a brave face and look happy through everything. No matter what happens, I can always keep smiling and going through a performance or even general task until it’s over, which is a skill that I think is applicable to all fields of life. HYOC has also given me a good awareness of time and meetings. Out of all the activities I do in my life, HYOC is the one that emphasizes being early the most- after all, “early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable.” Time management is a very important skill, and I’m glad HYOC has trained it.
Finally, as I mentioned before, HYOC has given me confidence in myself and in my passion, and that confidence is something that will always remain with me.
What words of wisdom would you like to leave for your “younger HYOC brothers & sisters”?
1) Always remember your music, water bottle, and pencil. I’m sure everyone else has something about this, but that just shows how important it is! These are your main instruments for success (besides your voice, of course). 2) If you have a conflict with a rehearsal or performance, email your directors AT LEAST a week in advance, if possible. “Early ison time” applies to more than just concerts. 3) Have fun! Singing should be fun, and singing with others should be even more fun. Appreciate the time you have to learn new things and truly experience the HYOC community- there’s nothing else like it.
Arya Tonnes
Joined HYOC: in 2020 as a 9th grader in the Gioventu Musicale Ensemble and has been a member for 4 years.
Graduating from: Kapolei High School
Fall Plans: University of Hawai`i at Manoa and will major in physics with a mathematics minor
What AP classes or Awards: Advanced Placement (AP) classes including: Computer Science, Physics, Calculus, Literature, United States Government. She is graduating with academic honors.
Additional Activities Outside of HYOC: participated in: her school’s chess club as founder and president as well as representing her school at the state scholastic chess tournament. She also participated in a 8-week research internship at UH Santa Cruz. She was also honored to represent HYOC at the 2024 ACDA Western Division SSAA Choir in Pasadena CA, and she was also in the cast of the Hawai`I Opera Theater’s production of La Boheme in April.
What has your time with HYOC meant for you? What impact do you see it having on your future?
My time with HYOC has been one of personal and musical growth. I joined in 2020, and amidst global uncertainty, I was welcomed here with open arms. The sense of connection and belonging at HYOC is extraordinary
What has HYOC given to you that you will take with you on your life’s journey?
As I move into a new stage of life, I hope to give it forward. HYOC has given me community and aloha, as well as musical and life skills, and a heightened appreciation for so many diverse styles of music
What words of wisdom would you like to leave for your “younger HYOC brothers & sisters”?
Sleep, eat breakfast, and drink lots of wai before rehearsal so your brain works better. Don’t forget your music (and if you do, start saving up to buy Aunty Nola a pikake farm)!
Joined HYOC: in 2020 as a 9th grader in the Gioventu Musicale Ensemble and has been a member for 4 years.
Graduating from: Kapolei High School
Fall Plans: University of Hawai`i at Manoa and will major in physics with a mathematics minor
What AP classes or Awards: Advanced Placement (AP) classes including: Computer Science, Physics, Calculus, Literature, United States Government. She is graduating with academic honors.
Additional Activities Outside of HYOC: participated in: her school’s chess club as founder and president as well as representing her school at the state scholastic chess tournament. She also participated in a 8-week research internship at UH Santa Cruz. She was also honored to represent HYOC at the 2024 ACDA Western Division SSAA Choir in Pasadena CA, and she was also in the cast of the Hawai`I Opera Theater’s production of La Boheme in April.
What has your time with HYOC meant for you? What impact do you see it having on your future?
My time with HYOC has been one of personal and musical growth. I joined in 2020, and amidst global uncertainty, I was welcomed here with open arms. The sense of connection and belonging at HYOC is extraordinary
What has HYOC given to you that you will take with you on your life’s journey?
As I move into a new stage of life, I hope to give it forward. HYOC has given me community and aloha, as well as musical and life skills, and a heightened appreciation for so many diverse styles of music
What words of wisdom would you like to leave for your “younger HYOC brothers & sisters”?
Sleep, eat breakfast, and drink lots of wai before rehearsal so your brain works better. Don’t forget your music (and if you do, start saving up to buy Aunty Nola a pikake farm)!
Andrew "Drew" Ikaika Yos
Joined HYOC: pre-Kindergarten as a member of the Bambini Ensemble. He has been a member for 14 years
Graduating from: Homeschool
Fall Plans: the University of Hawai`i Manoa
What AP Classes or Awards: He took additional courses at University of Hawai`i Windward Community College including: History, Hawaiian Studies and English.
Additional Activities Outside of HYOC: Hawaii Opera Theater’s Young Voices program, assisted HOT Education program with Lights and Sound, was a member of the adult chorus in HOT’s productions of: Elixir of Love and La Boheme. He also represented HYOC several times in the ACDA Western Division Honor Choirs and has been an active leader in p4cHi.
What has your time with HYOC meant for you? What impact do you see it having on your future?
HYOC has meant the world to me. This chorus has been one of the biggest parts of my life for so
long, it’s hard to imagine not waking up early on Saturdays to go to rehearsal. HYOC has given
me so many memories and friendships that I will cherish forever and has given me a great
appreciation of music that will always be a part of me. I think most of all, HYOC gave me the ability to adapt to situations that can seem daunting at first. It has taught me so many useful skills, from how to be comfortable in front of crowds to working with others to get a large goal accomplished. I have no doubt that these lessons will be very useful as I continue into life, and for that I’m grateful.
What words of wisdom would you like to leave for your "younger HYOC brothers & sisters"?
I could say all of the normal things like bringing your pencil and water bottle, but I think you should know that by now. I think the best advice I can give you is to simply listen. Not only to directions, but to all of the stories and wisdom that surrounds you. HYOC is a wealth of knowledge and one that you should fully appreciate while you can. HYOC gives you so many OPERAtunities (which you should do this summer) that are impossible to find anywhere else. I
guess what I’m trying to say is to appreciate everything about HYOC, not just the music, but the lessons that lie beneath.
Joined HYOC: pre-Kindergarten as a member of the Bambini Ensemble. He has been a member for 14 years
Graduating from: Homeschool
Fall Plans: the University of Hawai`i Manoa
What AP Classes or Awards: He took additional courses at University of Hawai`i Windward Community College including: History, Hawaiian Studies and English.
Additional Activities Outside of HYOC: Hawaii Opera Theater’s Young Voices program, assisted HOT Education program with Lights and Sound, was a member of the adult chorus in HOT’s productions of: Elixir of Love and La Boheme. He also represented HYOC several times in the ACDA Western Division Honor Choirs and has been an active leader in p4cHi.
What has your time with HYOC meant for you? What impact do you see it having on your future?
HYOC has meant the world to me. This chorus has been one of the biggest parts of my life for so
long, it’s hard to imagine not waking up early on Saturdays to go to rehearsal. HYOC has given
me so many memories and friendships that I will cherish forever and has given me a great
appreciation of music that will always be a part of me. I think most of all, HYOC gave me the ability to adapt to situations that can seem daunting at first. It has taught me so many useful skills, from how to be comfortable in front of crowds to working with others to get a large goal accomplished. I have no doubt that these lessons will be very useful as I continue into life, and for that I’m grateful.
What words of wisdom would you like to leave for your "younger HYOC brothers & sisters"?
I could say all of the normal things like bringing your pencil and water bottle, but I think you should know that by now. I think the best advice I can give you is to simply listen. Not only to directions, but to all of the stories and wisdom that surrounds you. HYOC is a wealth of knowledge and one that you should fully appreciate while you can. HYOC gives you so many OPERAtunities (which you should do this summer) that are impossible to find anywhere else. I
guess what I’m trying to say is to appreciate everything about HYOC, not just the music, but the lessons that lie beneath.
