I had a burning desire to BE A PLAYER…
And after telling someone that someday I would be a performer the reaction I got was laughter. It hurt but that experience made me secure in my intent and my challenge.
As a child I was surrounded by music. At home, church, school, parties, in the car, and always at lu‘aus. Music was everywhere.
When I was in third grade I would sneak into my parent’s room grab my father’s ‘ukulele and songbook and practice Hawaiian songs and vamps (interludes between verses).
Learning music theory in school helped immensely. I learned to play the bass and guitar and later discovered the Hawaiian steel guitar. I graduated from the University of Hawai‘i with a music education degree and taught music classes at Kahuku, University Lab School and the Kamehameha Schools. The most touching student compliments I received were “I loved your class”, “you made learning fun”, and “you inspired me”.
My greatest honors include serving as president of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association and being invited to perform and emcee at the Hawai‘i State Society’s 2009 Presidential Inaugural Ball in Washington D.C.
Over the years I had the fortune to be on the stage with and learn from Hawaiian music legends Genoa Keawe, Kahauanu Lake, Benny Kalama, Sonny Kamahele, and many, many more. Sarah Ulis, president of the Hawai‘i State Society commented, “Alan has a wealth of Hawaiian music knowledge in his head”.
Do you have that desire to learn? Let's have fun doing it!
Ke Kula Mele Hawai‘i will open up the world of Hawai‘i’s music to you and help you to be on your musical stage. |
