Maui School Visits - Maui, HI
March 25, 2010This month Jake was asked to participate in a full day of events and collaborations with the Maui Arts and Cultural Center (MACC) in Kahului, Maui. In support of the MACC, Jake would head out to four different locations to connect with the local community. This day was filled with student interactions and music as Jake set out to spread his message throughout Maui.
Our first stop was at the high energy, and heavily packed, Maui High School. Jake would walk in to a roaring welcome from about 1,800 high school students. The school gym was packed on both sides from top to bottom, and they really showed their appreciation for Jake and the MACC program.
Jake would kick it off with a few ear bending tunes such as Me & Shirley T and Dragon. You could see eyes brows raising and mouths dropping as many of these students were experiencing Jake's music for the first time. As Hawaii culture goes, music is always a very heavy influence in many of the students lives. Jake asked the crowd if anyone would like to participate in a song with him, and sure enough, three different students were up for it. They would sing a song with Jake and then the students would do a trio of their own...all the while a dancing circle began off to the side.
You really could say Maui High is full of spirit and loves to get involved. Next up Jake would head over to the Kahului Union Church where a large group of seniors were having a luncheon. Visiting the seniors is always a blessing because their energy and spirits are such an inspiration to us all. That, and they always like to talk story with Jake after the performance. Jake must have talked with various seniors for a solid thirty minutes afterwards, shaking hands and giving hugs. We were very touched to have been a part of this.
Following the senior luncheon, we would head over to Waihe'e Elementary School which is located just off the coast, but buried in the foothills. If all children could have a playground like this one, the world would be a super happy place. Jake walked in to the youthful cheer of about 850 students from grades K-6. He started right in with an exciting rendition of Let's Dance. The young ones always love this song and the theatrics that come along with it. After wowing the crowd, giggles and all, Jake would poll the students to see if anyone was brave enough to join him for a tune. One lucky student was picked, and they jammed I'm Your's by Jason Mraz.
Jake did a Q&A with the students and was asked "how do you strum so fast". This turned into a comical lesson as Jake explained to the children his technique for fast strumming. "It's like turning a door knob", Jake explained. Then had everyone close their eyes and try to turn their doorknob as fast as they could. It was a funny sight to see all the students partake in the lesson, arms rampantly flailing and twisting all over the place.
To cap off the day, we would make our way to the Maui Youth and Family Services center. Jake visits this center every year when he comes to Maui. These visits are always very intimate and often include deep and emotional conversations. On the musical side of it, Jake and a small group of high school girls would play a series of songs together. The amazing part about this, was one of the girls actually wrote and sang two of the songs they played. Her voice was amazing, and so was her song writing. It was truly a one of a kind moment.
We would like to thank Art Vento and the Maui Arts and Cultural Center patrons and staff for helping to arrange this special day. Maui got a little taste of Jake and we hope to repeat this again next year.