Aloha Series at Whittier College: Amy Hanaiali‘i Gilliom

The Aloha Series at Whittier College is proud to present Amy Hanaiali‘i Gilliom for two special performances.

Amy Hanaiali‘i’s talent is the result of an exceptional blend of classical training, modern musical influences and heritage.

Raised on the Island of Maui in Hawai‘i, Hanaiali‘i was raised with the sounds of cultural chants, ancestral drum beats and kani ka pila (music played with family and friends; lit. to play music or an instrument) melded with the sights of lapis colored oceans and verdantly emerald and peridot colored mountains, both abundant with wildlife.

Amy’s parents, Lloyd and Mimi Gilliom, had the foresight to enroll their children in youth theatre – fostering Hanaiali‘i’s talents and opening her horizons to new sounds and beats. This gave way to a predilection of music and eventually a deep passion.

While at Maui’s Henry Perrine Baldwin High School, the strong theatre and arts program helped to hone and codify Hanaiali‘i’s passion into a mission. After graduation, Amy went on to the United States International University in San Diego, California, where she received formal training in European classical music, jazz, blues, American standards and pop. While immersing herself in studies, Hanaiali‘i, became best of friends with colleagues, who today has made names for themselves in various segments in the entertainment industry. Amy holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Fine Arts from the United States International University.

After graduating Amy moved home and spent time with her paternal grandmother, Jennie Napua Woodd. Undoubtedly one of Hanaiali‘i’s biggest influences in her life, Woodd – one of the original Royal Hawaiian Girls – or Tutu as Amy affectionately called her, helped shape the scene of Hawai‘i as a choreographer in Hollywood through many of its motion pictures in the 1930’s and 40’s. While performing at the Lexington Hotel in New York City, Tutu met Hanaiali‘i’s grandfather, Lloyd B. Gilliom, himself a musician who played trumpet with Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye, Tommy Dorsey and other notable bands of the era.

While Hanaiali‘i received years of formal musical and theatrical training, it was Tutu Jennie who ultimately inspired her to grow in Hawaiian music. Recognizing her natural vocal abilities, Tutu arranged for a meeting between the legendary Genoa Keawe and her granddaughter. It was Aunty Genoa that introduced Amy to the ha‘i falsetto music. Amy’s talent of ha‘i brought a new found appreciation for the art of Hawaiian female falsetto style for which she is known today, and the rest, as they say, is history.





Presenter / Producer: Aloha Series at Whittier College, David Palmer (Theatre manager)

Listed Categories
Music > Other


Event Phone: 562-907-4203

Venue
The Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts
6760 Painter Avenue
Whittier CA 90608

Regions:
Inland Empire
Pasadena / Glendale


Performance Dates: 9/4/2010

Saturday, 09/04/2010

Performance Times
3-5 PM
Doors open at 2:30 PM

8-10 PM
Doors open at 7:30 PM

Ticket Information:
$40- Adults
- $1 surcharge added

Web Link for ticketing

Websites:
Event Information