Pianist Thomas Yee opens Kamuela Philharmonic season

The Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra opens its 2019-20 MasterWorks Season at Kahilu Theatre at 2 p.m. Sunday with an absolute show-stopper.

“Yee &Tchaikovsky” will usher in the orchestra’s 15th season by featuring award-winning pianist and guest soloist Dr. Thomas Yee of Honolulu, who will be performing one of the most iconic piano concertos of all time — Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto.

“Dr. Yee is such a great talent, and a wonderful musician and his Hawaii-wide following are just as excited about his performance with us as we are,” said Brian Dollinger, who will lead the concert as artistic director and conductor.

The Kahilu Theatre is at 67-1186 Lindsey Road in Waimea.

Yee is Professor of Music and Associate Music Department Chair at the University of Hawaii Manoa and has performed as guest soloist with orchestras throughout North America, and all over the globe.

He has won first prizes in over 20 national and international competitions. Most recently, Yee earned an unprecedented distinction from his alma mater, Memorial University of Newfoundland: He was presented with the Horizon Award for Lifetime Achievement under the age of 35 for extraordinary professional, volunteer, and academic achievement.

The Kamuela Philharmonic and its many talented musicians will also be featured in Sibelius’s magnificent Symphony No. 2 — an astounding aural journey with one of the most majestic and soaring finales ever written.

Tickets range from $20-$54. They may be purchased online at kamuelaphil.org, or through the Kahilu Theatre Box Office by calling 885-6868.