Who's Who @ the Soirée!

Herb Ohta Jr.'s passion for music was clear from an early age. His grandmother taught him his first song, "Happy Birthday," on the ‘ukulele when he was just three. His father, Ohta-San, provided his early lessons, and Herb later studied music through viola in high school.

 ‘Ukulele player Bryan Tolentino has been known for the past forty plus years as an accompanist who performed and continues to perform, locally and abroad, with some of Hawaiʻi’s most well known and accomplished Hawaiian music artists.

It’s rare when an artist arrives on the scene offering a refreshing new spin on a traditional genre of music. Steven Espaniola is that artist. Raised in Aliamanu, Hawai’i and now residing in the California Bay Area, Steven is a self taught multi-instrumentalist Hawaiian artist specializing in Ki Ho'alu (Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar), ‘Ukulele, Upright Bass, and Leo Ki'e

Jessica Maeve is a singer songwriter and 'ukulele artist. She loves to take songs to the next level as a solo performer by incorporating her own flair into each arrangement. Whether it's a classical piece or oldies tune or rock to modern pop, her style of playing is unique so you're always in for a treat!

Amber Rozel has been teaching musicians of all ages for over 20 years. She has been making the magic happen on ukulele for nearly 15 years and is holds a Level 3 Teachers Certificate from the JHUI program. She performs with regional orchestras, the Bay Chamber Players, her band Evergreen Road, and with anyone that wants to have fun.

Kama Hopkins grew up in a family filled with Hawaiian music and hula. By day, he is the Trust Services Manager for the King Lunalilo Trust and Home. By night, he is a musician. He has been playing music professionally since 2001. He is a multi Nā Hōkū Hanohano award recipient with the group Holunape.

A Vaudeville inspired act, Mim combines elements of circus, novelty, and forgotten favorites! Expect the unexpected! Her show is a high-energy, smile inducing set that takes the audience along on a musical journey that will have them laughing and singing along! She always brings something new to the stage with a fresh group of songs, jokes, and tricks every season.

Melissa Nannen has been creating music since the age of 5 through a variety of means and finally found her perfect instrument in the ukulele during a cold, snowy winter in 2014.  She has been writing original songs since she was 15 on her guitar, but found the ukulele took her songwriting and playing abilities into uncharted territory. 

Debi first saw Hawaiian dance (hula) in the late seventies. I loved the variety of dances that the girls did and how graceful they were. I never dreamed I would be dancing with them but one time I saw them dancing while sitting on the floor and that was it! If you can sit and dance, I want to try it!

SCU Little Band, the biggest little ukulele band in Pittsburgh, sprouted from the Steel City Ukuleles in 2015. Since then, SCULB has been entertaining audiences across the country, thanks to inventive musical arrangements that tightly integrate singing, playing, and members’ distinctive personalities.

Dean Rochester a.k.a. Dean-O is a singer/songwriter who enjoys life and sharing his experiences through his music. Independent singer/songwriter of the year 2016. He has played a club on the Vegas strip, recorded at the Ryman auditorium in Nashville, played many places across the US. His voice has took him to Europe he toured several countries singing at many venues.