Chadwick Kamei, Director of Bands
Mr. Chadwick Kamei became a member of the staff in 2005 and appointed to Director of Bands in Summer 2006. Mr. Kamei received his MA in Music Education (2009), Bachelor of Arts in English and Bachelor of Education in Music from the University of Hawaii (2002). He is currently pursing his Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Education through Boston University.
Under the direction of Mr. Kamei, the Pearl City Marching Band has performed in the 2018 Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade; the 2014 McDonalds Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago, IL; the 2011 London New Year’s Day Parade; and the 2007 Beijing International Olympic Youth Festival and Parade held in Beijing, China.
Known as one of the premier concert programs in Hawaii, the Pearl City High School Symphonic Winds travels regularly and was invited to perform at the 33rd Hamamatsu Festival to be held in March 2021 but was cancelled due to coronavirus concerns. Previous performances at this festival occurred in 2016 (28th Annual) and 2009 (21stAnnual). Domestically, the band has performed in a joint concert with the Troy University Symphony Band in Troy, Alabama (2013) to celebrate the accomplishments of Dr. John M. Long.
Mr. Kamei holds memberships in the American Bandmasters Association, American School Band Directors Association, National Band Association, and the Oahu Band Directors Association. He was elected as a High School Representative for the National Band Association from 2018-2022 (two terms) and currently serves the organization through his work on the Revelli Composition Contest, the Selective Music List, and the Al & Glady’s Wright Distinguished Legacy Award Committees. Mr. Kamei also serves on the School Bands Task Force and the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Awareness committee for the American Bandmasters Association.
Mr. Kamei is currently a Conn-Selmer Educational Clinician and has worked with bands in Virginia, Alabama, and Vancouver (Canada). In 2013 the School Band and Orchestra magazine recognized him as one of the “50 Directors that Make a Difference”. Mr. Kamei is also a Legion Laureate of the John Philip Sousa Legion of Honor and in 2016 was elected to membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association, considered to be the highest honor given in the wind band profession.
Mr. Chadwick Kamei became a member of the staff in 2005 and appointed to Director of Bands in Summer 2006. Mr. Kamei received his MA in Music Education (2009), Bachelor of Arts in English and Bachelor of Education in Music from the University of Hawaii (2002). He is currently pursing his Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Education through Boston University.
Under the direction of Mr. Kamei, the Pearl City Marching Band has performed in the 2018 Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade; the 2014 McDonalds Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago, IL; the 2011 London New Year’s Day Parade; and the 2007 Beijing International Olympic Youth Festival and Parade held in Beijing, China.
Known as one of the premier concert programs in Hawaii, the Pearl City High School Symphonic Winds travels regularly and was invited to perform at the 33rd Hamamatsu Festival to be held in March 2021 but was cancelled due to coronavirus concerns. Previous performances at this festival occurred in 2016 (28th Annual) and 2009 (21stAnnual). Domestically, the band has performed in a joint concert with the Troy University Symphony Band in Troy, Alabama (2013) to celebrate the accomplishments of Dr. John M. Long.
Mr. Kamei holds memberships in the American Bandmasters Association, American School Band Directors Association, National Band Association, and the Oahu Band Directors Association. He was elected as a High School Representative for the National Band Association from 2018-2022 (two terms) and currently serves the organization through his work on the Revelli Composition Contest, the Selective Music List, and the Al & Glady’s Wright Distinguished Legacy Award Committees. Mr. Kamei also serves on the School Bands Task Force and the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Awareness committee for the American Bandmasters Association.
Mr. Kamei is currently a Conn-Selmer Educational Clinician and has worked with bands in Virginia, Alabama, and Vancouver (Canada). In 2013 the School Band and Orchestra magazine recognized him as one of the “50 Directors that Make a Difference”. Mr. Kamei is also a Legion Laureate of the John Philip Sousa Legion of Honor and in 2016 was elected to membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association, considered to be the highest honor given in the wind band profession.
Christopher Otsuka, Associate Director
Mr. Christopher Otsuka joined the faculty at Pearl City High School during the Fall of 2015. Prior to this appointment he was a part-time music teacher at Kailua Intermediate School where he assisted in teaching band and piano. In Fall 2014, Mr. Otsuka received his Bachelors of Education in Music from the University of Hawaii at Manoa after student teaching with Ms. Kristi Kusunoki at Kailua Intermediate School. Mr. Otsuka has studied the saxophone with esteemed saxophonists Ms. Gwen Nakamura, and Saxophone Professor Todd Yukumoto of the University of Hawaii. As a conductor, Mr. Otsuka has guest conducted numerous ensembles such as the Pearl City High School Concert Band, the University of Hawaii West Oahu University Band, and the Oahu Band Directors Association’s Beginning Honor Band. Mr. Otsuka is a 2010 alumni of Pearl City High School.
Mr. Otsuka currently holds memberships in the Oahu Band Directors Association, the Hawaii Music Educators Association, and the National Association for Music Education.
Mr. Christopher Otsuka joined the faculty at Pearl City High School during the Fall of 2015. Prior to this appointment he was a part-time music teacher at Kailua Intermediate School where he assisted in teaching band and piano. In Fall 2014, Mr. Otsuka received his Bachelors of Education in Music from the University of Hawaii at Manoa after student teaching with Ms. Kristi Kusunoki at Kailua Intermediate School. Mr. Otsuka has studied the saxophone with esteemed saxophonists Ms. Gwen Nakamura, and Saxophone Professor Todd Yukumoto of the University of Hawaii. As a conductor, Mr. Otsuka has guest conducted numerous ensembles such as the Pearl City High School Concert Band, the University of Hawaii West Oahu University Band, and the Oahu Band Directors Association’s Beginning Honor Band. Mr. Otsuka is a 2010 alumni of Pearl City High School.
Mr. Otsuka currently holds memberships in the Oahu Band Directors Association, the Hawaii Music Educators Association, and the National Association for Music Education.
Christopher Lopez, Associate Director/Perc. Instructor
A graduate and proud alumnus of the Pearl City High School Band program, Mr. Christopher Lopez became a member of the staff in 2004. The landmark Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic performance is part of his legacy to the school. Mr. Lopez is a graduate of the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa where he received his Bachelors of Education in Music.
A graduate and proud alumnus of the Pearl City High School Band program, Mr. Christopher Lopez became a member of the staff in 2004. The landmark Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic performance is part of his legacy to the school. Mr. Lopez is a graduate of the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa where he received his Bachelors of Education in Music.