Kamuela Philharmonic's production of Shakespeare in Paradise, highlights Hawai‘i’s emerging talent by featuring the winners of the Philharmonic’s 2024/25 Madeline Schatz-Harris Youth Concerto Competition, a perennial highlight of the season.

The program also offers a rich tapestry of music inspired by Shakespeare’s timeless works. Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture delivers a sweeping orchestral portrayal of passion, conflict, and tragedy from the iconic love story. Mendelssohn’s Nocturne from A Midsummer Night’s Dream casts a serene, magical spell, while Bellini’s Overture to The Capulets and the Montagues evokes the drama and romance of Shakespeare’s enduring tale.

The Youth Concerto Competition winner performances are shining gems of our concert season. These young virtuosos captivate the audience with their extraordinary talent and poise, delivering stunning performances alongside our Kamuela Philharmonic on the main stage at Kahilu Theatre. Witnessing their budding brilliance and passion is a remarkable experience that inspires and often amazes.

This season’s winners are:

Eliana Chang (12) – Performing Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major. Eliana shines with this energetic and complex masterpiece, full of dazzling virtuosity and rhythmic brilliance.

Ben Liu (14) – Bringing lyricism and drama to the stage, Ben performs Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, a Romantic-era gem brimming with emotional depth.

Sophie Chan (16) & Justin Chan (16) – For the first time ever, we have a talented sibling duo performing. Sophie and Justin will charm with Saint-Saëns’ “Carnival of Animals,” a delightful and whimsical piece filled with playful energy and humor.

The Kamuela Philharmonic’s presentation of “Shakespeare in Paradise” is made possible with support from Rob and Terry Ryan.