Honolulu Teen Polishes Skills With Members of The Philadelphia Orches

Young violinist Liliko Ueda is looking forward to applying her expanded skills and sharpened technique in multiple musical ensembles this season after studying for two weeks this summer at the prestigious Philadelphia International Music Camp and Festival, featuring members of The Philadelphia Orchestra.

The 14-year-old sophomore at ‘Iolani School has been playing violin for seven years and decided last spring to challenge herself and audition for PIMF, an intensive classical music training program that draws students from around the country and across the globe to work with members of the legendary Fabulous Philadelphians.

“Getting involved in performing and learning classical music, I admire the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra,” she said. “I searched up music camps by myself and finally found the best camp, PIMF!”

A member of the Hawaii Youth Symphony, Hawaii Chamber Music Festival/Young Artists Program, ‘Iolani School Chamber Music Program/’Iolani School Orchestra, Liliko credits them and her teacher Katharine Hafner for preparing her for the rigors of the PIMF audition and in-person training experience.

She also gave a shout-out to the Aloha State’s robust classical music environment for nurturing her appreciation for the performing arts.

“I am lucky to live in Hawaii since the community offers students the enrichment opportunities to be familiar with classical music,” Liliko explained. “My mom could take me to almost every concert of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra and the dress rehearsals of Hawaii Opera Theatre since I was a preschooler. These experiences made classical music a natural part of my life and built a musical foundation for me.”

Liliko’s trek to the other side of the nation has brought her enhanced musicianship, new lifelong friends, and a fresh spark for her own practice.

“It was an inspiring atmosphere and program where I (could) express and motivate myself to be the best I can,” she recalled, “building and improving one day at a time with amazing musicians from all over the world in my chamber group and symphony orchestra. Sometimes rehearsals were hard and frustrating, but when it all came together, the result was spectacular and made me want to continue and move forward to get more wonderful results.”

Liliko heads into the fall looking for opportunities to support Maui with her music as the Hawaii Youth Symphony and Hawaii Chamber Festival seasons get underway and Hawaiian artists continue to combine their talents in fundraisers for wildfire recovery.

ABOUT The Philadelphia International Music Festival:

The Philadelphia International Music Festival (PIMF) is a resident summer music program directed by Kimberly Fisher, Principal Second Violin of The Philadelphia Orchestra, offering student musicians from around the world the unique opportunity of spending up to four weeks immersed in music education and performance training with members of the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra.

PIMF offers summer camp programs both online AND live on Philadelphia’s prestigious Main Line. Since March 2020, PIMF’s online platform has expanded its training programs year-round with Master Classes taught by principal players and other members of The Philadelphia Orchestra. The audition portal for “Music in the Mansion” Solo Performance Intensive during winter break in Miami is open at PIMF.org. Young cellists and violinists will polish their musical skills with members of the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra in an elegant estate setting from December 28, 2023 through January 2, 2024.