A Year to Remember: Maui School for Strings 2025–2026 Annual Recap

6/1/26 Members of Maui Community Orchestra clean and organize our new rehearsal space

From the studio of Roy D. Binder

What a year it has been for my studio ohana. From students stepping into prestigious new chapters, to a community orchestra that is growing faster than our walls can hold, 2025–2026 has been a year filled with music, milestones, and Maui magic. I am so grateful to every student, family, teacher, donor, and community partner who has been part of this journey.

Student Milestones Worth Celebrating

The greatest reward in teaching is watching a student grow beyond what you can offer them and this year, that happened twice.

Tala Patao worked so diligently on viola that she outgrew the scope of Roy's instruction and has transitioned to Suzuki Maui, the independent studio of Teresa Skinner, which shares space with Maui School for Strings in Wailuku. Tala has gone on to join the Maui Pops Orchestra as a violist, a remarkable achievement, as the youngest member of this paid group. This year also marked a deeply meaningful personal milestone for me: performing on stage alongside Tala as a former student for the very first time.

Kristine Tabadda similarly blossomed on violin beyond what our studio could offer, and has joined the private studio of Iolani Yamashiro-Rahimi to continue her advanced studies. In a testament to her exceptional abilities, Kristine was awarded the Flavell Scholarship from the Maui Pops Orchestra. Congratulations Kristine, I could not be more proud.

St. Anthony Church & School — K–5 Music Teacher

In addition to my work at Maui School for Strings, I serve as the K–5 music teacher at St. Anthony Church & School. This year, my students took the stage at the Fun Daze Bazaar on April 18, 2026 and they were a hit! Performing "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and "This Little Light of Mine," my youngest musicians lit up the room with their enthusiasm and talent. Every student wore a huge smile, and the audience of parents, grandparents, aunties, and uncles responded with joy.

Bob Ostrander shared warm praise for the performance, and St. Anthony has expressed interest in welcoming the K-5 students back for future bazaars. I look forward to continuing this wonderful community partnership!

Maui Community Orchestra: A Year of Leaps and Bounds

Our community ensemble, the Maui Community Orchestra, has been on a remarkable trajectory this year. Here's a look at what we accomplished together:

Growing the Sound

After adding winds and percussion to the orchestra, Maui Community Orchestra's musical palette has expanded dramatically. The sound in the room during rehearsals has never been richer.

Concerts That Brought the Community Together

We put on two memorable concerts this year. Our Halloween concert was a festive celebration that delighted audiences young and old. Then our Spring concert brought down the house — thanks in no small part to a guest appearance by guitarist Jeremy Savo, who delivered an electrifying performance of Crazy Train that had the audience on the edge of their seats.

A New Home

Maui Community Orchestra outgrew Maui School for Strings' rehearsal space — a wonderful problem to have! We have begun renting the band room at Saint Anthony School, giving our growing ensemble the room it needs to thrive.

Building an Institution

This year marked two major organizational milestones:

• Maui Community Orchestra adopted its first official Handbook, establishing clear policies and guiding our operations going forward.

• We have begun the formal process of filing for 501(c)3 nonprofit status, a landmark step that will open doors to grants, increased donations, and long-term sustainability.

  
  

Introducing Our Founding Board of Directors

We are proud to introduce the dedicated individuals who have stepped up to lead the Maui Community Orchestra into its next chapter. Our board members bring a remarkable range of talent and experience to the orchestra.

Roy Binder, President — Founder and Director of Maui School for Strings and K–5 Music Teacher at St. Anthony Church & School and Pomaika'i Elementary School. Former public school orchestra director, current private teacher, and cellist with the Maui Pops Orchestra.

Ginny Morgan, Vice President — Professional harpist and cellist with over 25 years performing at weddings and events across Maui. Artistic Director of Early Music Maui and author of Pluck: The Tales of a Wedding Harpist in Maui, Hawaii.

Nicki Barsamian, Secretary — National Board Certified educator and former art teacher at Kamehameha Schools Maui, recognized as the 2018 Hawaii Art Education Association Middle School Art Educator of the Year. Co-owner of Waikapu Publishing Company and illustrator of the beloved Huli the Hawaiian Chicken children's book series.

Tiffany Winn, Treasurer — Owner of Whaler's Locker, a beloved Maui shop specializing in fossils, megalodon teeth, crystals, Baltic amber, and sea shells. Originally located on Front Street in Lahaina, the business has reopened in Kīhei following the 2023 wildfires.

Mickey Gautney, Director at Large — Co-owner of The Cinnamon Roll Place in Kīhei, a beloved Maui institution serving locals and visitors since 1981. A former Marine and retired band teacher, Mickey brings leadership, community spirit, and a deep love of Maui to the board.

A heartfelt mahalo to each board member for their generosity of time and spirit.

And to our community: thank you for your generous support. This year, Maui Community Orchestra received over $3,000 in donations every dollar of which goes directly toward bringing live orchestral music to Maui.

Looking Ahead

I head into the next year with a full heart and some ambitious goals:

• Continuing the 501(c)3 filing process for Maui Community Orchestra

• Growing student enrollment across all three of our studio teachers

• Expanding our orchestra's instrumentation and concert programming

• Deepening partnerships with Maui's schools and music community

Whether you are a current student, a prospective family, a fellow musician, or simply a lover of live music — I invite you to be part of what we are building here on Maui.

Mahalo for a wonderful year,

Roy D. Binder