About

D. Kenji Akemoto

His love for the sound of the horn, led a young lad to apply for Band class back in his youth. Throughout his schooling he played the Tuba in band, not the horn. But this did not matter, for it was the love and fascination with music that he enjoyed. The feeling he had for music he never lost. He expanded his interest in music further by pursuing the Euphonium in addition to the Tuba as a solo instrument, and also studied Cello, Piano and `Ukulele. Mr. Akemoto presently passes on this fascination to his students, and is also an `ukulele instructor at the studio, `Ukulele Hale. For fun, he likes to sing and play the Ukulele, with his small Hawaiian band. They have performed for various weddings, birthday celebrations, and charity.

Mr. Akemoto has studied tuba and low brass technique with Daniel Asao, Anthony Kniffen, Jim Decker, and others. He as also studied voice under Masae Ishizu.

Mr. Akemoto is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), Music Educators National Conference (MENC), American String Teachers Association (ASTA).

Mr. Akemoto's compositions have been performed by the Hawai`i Youth Symphony Organization, Mizunami Civic Symphony Orchestra, Koseto Brasswood Band, Honolulu Wind Ensemble, and Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra.

Highlights

  • 1973 Born Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
  • 1991 Graduated Kalani High School, Honolulu, HI
  • 1991 Entered the University of Hawaii
  • 1993～1994 Missionary Training
  • 1997 Received BA Music Ed. from the University of Hawaii
  • 1998 Received Professional Diploma from the University of Hawaii
  • 1994～1997 Assistant Band Director, Saint Louis School, Honolulu, HI
  • 1997～1999 Instrumental Music Director, Saint Louis School, Honolulu, HI
  • 1999～2009 Instructor （Orchestra, Band）Kaimuki Middle School, Honolulu, HI
  • 2009～2011 Tenrikyo Music Research Institute, Nara, Japan
  • 2011～Present Instructor(Orchestra, Band, Chorus) Kalani High School, Honolulu, HI