Damira Feldman Produces the First Ever Maui Outstanding Piano Amateurs Festival

The first 2018 Seasonal Maui Outstanding Piano Amateurs Festival, February 16-18 was a complete delight for both artists and audience. The festival showcases the exceptional artistic talent of Maui residents with guest performances by others from neighboring islands. It is produced by Damira (Mira) Feldman, an internationally recognized pianist and educator, who moved to Maui one year ago. Ms. Mira Feldman has not only made her name in musical circles performing a variety of solo recitals, but she has established a reputation for her infectious enthusiasm and dedication to the art of the piano.

Ms. Feldman's vision is to recognize the special talents of those who possess artistic distinction based on a love for the art. "It would be a great thing for Maui to be established as a destination and center for amateur adult pianists from around the world to come together to perform and to share their musical passion with other of like interests and talents," said Feldman. Generally speaking, these individuals have focused primarily on other academic and professional endeavors. In every case, their passion for the art is notable and perhaps most significant because of this.

The three-day Festival was a continuation of the series of performances presented by the Maui Outstanding Piano Amateurs Festival (MOPAF) and the Music at Wailuku Union Church.

The first of the series, an enthusiastically received lecture-concert "Piano Miniatures" unfolded the four-century evolution of the piano.

The major event, three-day February festival began with Master Classes on Friday with Dr. Thomas Yee, Professor of Music and Assoc. Chair of the Music Dept. at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

In the evening, the nationally and internationally recognized pianists Damira Feldman and Thomas Yee joined their forces to share the most celebrated four-hands piano works by Mozart, Schubert and Dvorak with a special treat at the end, Piazzolla's tango Libertango! Their performance was distinguished by rich and warm tone and expressive well-balanced playing.

The highlight of the Festival occurred at a Saturday evening Gala that showcased Maui's hidden treasure of musical talent with 6 non-professional musicians at Wailuku Union Church.

The Saturday Evening Gala began with Beethoven's Sonata Op. 27 No. 2, (better known as the Moonlight Sonata) performed by Noriko Fulmer, PhD. She obtained Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and PhD from Osaka Prefecture University and was invited by Wisconsin University to work as a scientist in a cell biological field. Following a prolific period of professional writing and speaking engagements at conferences in her field, Noriko retired and continues her studies of piano while writing novels.

Niko Nemoto, Phd, performed Bach's French Suite No. 6, BWV817 Allemande and Polonaise and Brahms Rhapsody in B Minor, Op. 79, No. 1. Niko obtained her BA at Musahino Art University in Japan and began a career in publishing and was then drawn to make her home on Maui where she delights in sharing her vision of music as a universal language that connects everyone.

18 yr. old Bryce Clearing Sky began playing piano at age 2. He received instruction at La Scuola di Musica di Greve in Chianti, Italy. After receiving numerous awards in Michigan Music Teachers Association Annual Piano Achievement Testing, he began his studies at the Maui Music Conservatory. He recently made his Maui Chamber Orchestra concert debut playing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1, Opus 15, Mvt. 1. On this evening, he played Bach's Italian Concerto BWV 971 in F Major 3rd movement.

Margaret (Peggy) W. King played Brahms Intermezzo in A major, Op. 118 and a delightful Gershwin/Wild Medley; Jazzbo Brown Blues & Summertime. Peggy received a B.M. in Piano Pedagogy from Lamont School of Music in Denver and moved to Maui in 1976. She became an instructor at her husband's fitness center, where she taught for 25 years and currently volunteers for the Hawaii Animal Rescue Foundation (HARF), finding homes for homeless dogs. She continues to follow her passion for piano and currently studies with Dr. Thomas Yee of the University of Hawaii.

Japanese born Kanako Okita began playing piano at the age of 4. She participated in her High School Chorus and well as accompanist for the Choir. She was also part of the Piano Club before and after graduation at Chuo University in Tokyo, Japan. Currently, Kanako is a choir accompanist at the Church of the Holy Cross in Hilo, Hawaii. She played Schubert's Impromptu in E-Flat Major, N*E*R*D 899 No. 2, Impromptu in G-Flat Major, D899 No. 3 and Brahms Rhapsody in B Minor, Op. 79 No. 11.

The audience was delighted by the final performance of the evening, a three part original composition along with Sinding's Rustles of Spring by Christophe Javon, who holds a PhD in Physics from the University Pierre et Marie Curie in France. He currently teaches meditation classes and has authored three books on the Spiritual Journey. Ever personable, Christophe noted that as the final performer, "This is a tough act to follow!"

This is yet another example of the unique character of the island of Maui, a very special spec of sand in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. All of us are beholden to preserve the precious fabric of this sacred Hawaiian Aina, something not to be taken for granted.

SOURCE DF Music Maui