Four UH Mānoa College of Education (COE) students, under the direction of Dr. Chet-Yeng Loong of the UH Mānoa Department of Music, are part of a 2025 National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Collegiate Chapter of Excellence in Professional Development. NAfME selected the department for its successful chapter advocacy, music programming, professional development, recruitment strategy, and service projects.
The BEd in Music students serve as officers in NAfME Chapter 418 with Dennis Dilwith III as president, Rina Robin as vice president, Jake Yoshimura as secretary, and Rodel Domingo as treasurer.
“This award validates our continued efforts in keeping fine arts education in schools,” the group said. “We emphasize advocacy and excellence in our program through leadership and consistent involvement in our music community. This award recognizes the work of future music educators in the state of Hawai‘i and is a huge honor for our music education program and its students.”
Some of the projects and events their chapter have hosted include Voice Bridge Day, an event where high school choir programs explore the collegiate choral and music education experiences at UH Mānoa; the Hawai‘i Music Education Association (HMEA) conference; professional development workshops; and a very successful first-ever bento fundraiser.
“The College of Education has been a wonderful guide in my studies at UH Mānoa and has provided so many opportunities to teach, perform, and experience real-life work in the education field,” Dilwith said. As my journey in the music education program comes to a close, I feel better prepared to enter the education workforce and begin my career as a music educator.”
Dilwith, whose focus areas are choral and general music, plans on teaching choir at the secondary level and says he would like to pursue a graduate degree in choral conducting.
“The COE has given me multiple opportunities to teach in schools across O‘ahu,” said Robin who is also focusing on general music and choral. “It has been extremely helpful in showing me what different classes look like, and it has helped me create many great connections with teachers in the music education community.”
Domingo, who is studying instrumental music, says he intends to move back home to Maui to teach band at the secondary level.
“The BEd program at the college has provided me with a plethora of opportunities to share my passion for music and create connections with developed music educators on Oʻahu,” Domingo said. “As an upcoming senior in the music education program, I’m developing a deeper understanding of the pedagogy behind effective music education and the positive impact music as a whole can have on students.”
Yoshimura, who is also focusing on secondary instrumental music, would like to teach at the secondary level and eventually earn a masters’ degree in music education.
“During my studies, I have had opportunities to observe and work with many stellar music educators,” Yoshimura said. “This helped me refine my own teaching philosophy and provided strategies that continue to be useful. Opportunities through the COE also gave me the privilege to teach some of the best music programs on the island of Oʻahu. This has been instrumental in developing my skills as an educator.”
