“Every once in a while we have teachers that become more than just teachers of a subject or instrument--they become teachers of life. ” -Amy, Hawaii Parent
The MTNA Teacher of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has made a difference in students' lives, has contributed to the advancement of music in the community, and is an example of a dedicated professional music educator. HMTA is happy to announce that Chad Uyehara has been selected as the Hawaii Music Teachers Association Teacher of the Year.
Chad’s achievements are impressive: he has two Bachelor of Arts degrees and a Masters degree; he is a national member of four music education organizations and is President of one them; he plays both violin and viola at a professional level; and his conducting career spans from Nevada to Hawaii and includes over seven youth orchestras. However, despite all of these significant achievements in his life and career, he continues to pursue continuing education every summer to hone his teaching skills and for personal growth. As an educator, the two words that best describe Chad are “passionate” and “inspirational”:
It is clear that Chad is the type of teacher that goes above and beyond to make music a deep and meaningful component in his students’ lives. He doesn’t stop at providing fundamental skills or even colorful experiences. He offers more--he makes the crucial connection that busy teachers often miss. To Chad, there is no separation between the student and the craft. Each student is a human being first before he or she is a musician. In other words, Chad sees his students and works to integrate the person with his or her artistic pursuit without sacrificing high standards:
Chad Uyehara is a true role-model, mentor and inspiration to these students. He is an exceptional musician and teacher who is an integral part of the music community here in Hawaii. It is his mission to nurture these students through the communities he has served. We are proud to call him our Hawaii Teacher of the Year!