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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, October 2, 2009

Rites, concert to honor Masaki


Advertiser Staff

A memorial service for acclaimed piano teacher Ellen Masaki will take place Oct. 19 at Central Union Church. Visitation will begin at 4 p.m., and the service will be at 5:30 p.m.

The family requests no flowers.

"A Musical Tribute in Memory of Ellen Masaki" is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.

The Honolulu Symphony Orchestra will participate in the concert along with concert artists Sean Kennard and Lisa Nakamichi, past students of Masaki, and current student T.J. Tario. Student artists also will perform several pieces arranged for five pianos.

Born in Kalihi in 1928, Masaki learned to play piano by ear at the age of 5. Her teaching career spanned 60 years, touching the lives of thousands of students and elevating music through generous donations of time and money to the industry.

Masaki served as Hawai'i chairwoman of the National Guild of Piano Teachers' Association for more than 30 years. The Masaki Symphony Fund Drive has raised as much as $24,000 annually for the Honolulu Symphony Society.