Meet Isabella Bertelmann.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUING SUPPORT OF
THE HSGA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.
The HSGA Scholarship program provides funding for select students who are serious about learning to play the Hawaiian steel guitar, and who qualify under the scholarship program guide lines. This issue of the HSGA newsletter provides a focus on one of these remark-able scholarship students: Isabella Bertelmann.
Isabella is not only an outstanding student but has also become quite the steel player! I encourage you to read about her background, and equally as important, check out the YouTube video recordings of her performing as one of Alan Akaka’s NextGen students. Isabella points to where to find the recordings in her article.
— Mahalo! Daryl Brooke (Chairperson, HSGA Scholarship Program)
Aloha! I am Isabella Bertelmann.
I have been playing the Hawaiian steel guitar for 5 years now, and have been to numerous performances with Kumu Alan Akaka. I have been fortunate to attend outer island festivals, such as the Kona and Kaua’i festivals, and many showcases on Oahu as well. I really enjoy listening to the music of Uncle Bill Ali’iloa Lincoln currently, which was the theme of Kamehameha Schools Annual Song Contest this year (editor’s note: held March 15, 2024 in Honolulu, https://www.ksbe.edu/images/songcontest/2024/2024-KS-SongContest-Program.pdf ). It really opened my eyes to the many varieties of Hawaiian music, and I enjoy listening for the steel guitar in his songs. I hope to continue playing the Hawaiian steel guitar through Kumu Akaka’s Next Gen for as long as I can!
Some of my hobbies include reading, roller skating, and many ocean activities such as diving and surfing, and even paddling a one-man canoe. In school, I am in the aviation club and enjoy taking automotive classes. I currently participate in jiu-jitsu, and dancing hula for Halau Ilima Ku Kahakai outside of school.
Performance videos can be found through the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcases Facebook page:
* Hawaii Island Steel Guitar Experience at Mauna Lani: 1:52:29
* Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival Keiki Kine at Kahala Mall: 46:35