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©2000 by Ely Music/Pub
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HSGA Launches Steel Lessons On Moloka`i
(reprinted from the Fall '99 HSGA Quarterly)
| Alan gives an important instruction to Moloka`i steel students. On the right, top to bottom of picture: 11-year old Po`okela Napoleon, Rolland Ka`alekahi, and Raymond Kelly (remember him?). |
Moloka`i steel guitar lessons kicked off the first semester, on Saturday, September 11. Using accumulated member donations specifically marked "Scholarship" and a $2,000 Grant from Hawai`i's McInerny Foundation, Alan Akaka was able to begin the course of teaching for several music teachers, and Raymond Kelly, who -- if you remember -- sat in with Alan and Bobby Ingano a year ago, when HSGA members traveled to Moloka`i to present the ALU LIKE Seniors group with the steel guitar made for them by John Tipka.
Alan, with Jerry Byrd's permission, is teaching from the same lesson plan Jerry gave him, some years ago. Two youngsters, ages 11 and 14 joined the group. Because both come from musical families who wanted them to learn steel, Alan welcomed them, to observe how well they could pick up on the material. Said Alan, afterwards, "I had to explain to the group that the kids would learn to play faster, but the adults, because of their musical experience, would be able to retain the lesson knowledge better, and could mentor the youngsters later on."
Isaac Akuna, also a Jerry Byrd student, assisted the students, one on one, who needed an "added touch" in how to play. Both he and Alan felt the first class went well. "They all picked up the first day's material quickly, and were able to play a simple tune by the end of the two hours," Alan said. The students' homework assignment was to pick another Hawaiian tune, and learn to play it in the two weeks before the next class.
The first semester will continue through February 2000. The second semester, yet to be financed, is scheduled to begin with the Seniors Group in March and will go until September 2000. "We have three more Grant proposals out, for money to continue," Alan said. HSGA hopes to hear soon from the Grantors, who had their meetings in September.
HSGA * HAWAIIAN
STEEL GUITAR ASSOCIATION
KAMAKA TOM, President
45-600 KAMEHAMEHA HWY * KANEOHE, HI * 96744
PHONE/FAX (808) 235-4742
EMAIL: hsga@lava.net
Homepage URL: www.hsga.org
(hsga@lava.net)
Last updated: 07/23/02 by Gerald Ross (gbross@umich.edu)
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