Playing an instrument is one of the hardest (and most rewarding) things anyone can learn to do - coordination of small and large muscles; thinking and doing; mechanical, emotional and mental processes; individual responsibility and teamwork - there is quite a lot to keep track of in the development of each student. Beginners learn to discern and differentiate and to follow directions. Developing students "learn how to learn". Advanced students learn to use their technical skills to project and share the emotion and meaningfulness of music, to connect with the audience as they explore their own feelings. Everyone can learn. I am energized and inspired by my wonderful students as they grow in ability and character.
About
Education
B.M. Eastman School of Music
M.M. Indiana University
NCTM
Affiliations
MTNA (NCTM), Suzuki Association of the Americas, Hawaii Suzuki Association, Hawaii Symphony, 'Iolani School
Biography
Katharine Hafner is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and Indiana University. Before moving to Hawai’i in 1980 to join the Honolulu (now the Hawai'i) Symphony, she taught in the Eastman Preparatory Department and Music Center of the North Shore (Chicago), and built an award-winning high school orchestra program in Williamsville, New York.
Ms. Hafner is currently in her sixteenth year as Director of Orchestras at ‘Iolani School where she has worked to build a vital, internationally recognized string program which includes eight orchestras, a Suzuki Strings program and an active chamber music program, and which has welcomed collaboration with world-class artists such as Jin Joo Cho, Ray Chen and Robert McDuffie. The ‘Iolani Orchestras have represented the state of Hawai’i with performances at the ASTA National Conferences and the London Invitational Concert series and have won multiple national championships.
An active professional violinist with the Hawai'i Symphony, Ms. Hafner maintains a full studio of private students. She has been the Director of the Hawai’i Suzuki Institute since 1986, President of the Hawai’i Chapter of the American String Association, and a Board Member of the Hawai’i Music Teachers Association. Her former students include members of the Cleveland Orchestra, the National Symphony and the Columbus Symphony.
Contact
This directory is service provided to teaching members of the Hawaii Music Teachers Association and to the Hawaii community. While HMTA will do its best to connect Hawaii violin students with local violin teachers, the responsibility for fulfillment and content of violin lessons, as well as safety, rests solely with the individual teachers. If you are a violin teacher in Hawaii and would like to be listed in this directory, please consider becoming a member.