Taking note of Mr. Dayao
Photo by Bianca Bystrom
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Jana Dagdagan
September 28, 2009
Filed under Arts & Entertainment
Mr. Richard Hotoke, the former ‘Iolani Band Director, retired after 22 loyal and dedicated years of teaching music. This year in his place is Mr. Manny Dayao to uphold ‘Iolani’s reputation and musical excellence.
Upon googling “Manny Dayao,” one might come across the phrases “Iolani Stage Band Yearbook,” or “Our Wedding Day,” among others. When scrolling through the ‘Iolani website under “Faculty & Staff,” “Manny S. Dayao” shows up, along with “Boston Conservatory M.A.” and “Performing Arts.” Many have seen his unfamiliar, goatee-adorned face around campus, usually wearing a loose dress shirt and semi-formal attire. Yet, apart from Mr. Dayao’s students, only a select few are fully aware of his unrivaled enthusiasm and passion for music.
Mr. Dayao has plenty of former experience at ‘Iolani, including filling in during Mr. Hotoke’s ’06 sabbatical and being a part of the summer staff. In addition, he has led numerous choirs, pep bands, and was even the musical director and conductor of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals at Harvard University.
Having found out about the vacant position in April ’09, Mr. Dayao was thrilled yet tied down to California’s Central Coast area, because he was already engaged to a fiancé with a wonderful career. In late April, Ms. Driskill, ‘Iolani’s Assistant Headmaster, had a face-to-face talk with Mr. Dayao and his fiancé regarding job details. Aside from his impressive credentials and positive past with ‘Iolani, his fiancé’s flexibility and understanding nature towards his career fully convinced Ms. Driskill that Mr. Dayao was the right man for the job. Mr. Dayao refers to the “‘Iolani Band Director” position with utmost reverence, calling it his “dream job.” In fact, in the hectic month preceding school’s commence, Mr. Dayao took off a little time from band preparations to get married and enjoy a short honeymoon. What devotion!
In the future, Mr. Dayao hopes to nourish and enrich his students’ lives with music, expand the band program, and create an overall greater sense of pride and enthusiasm. He mentions that what makes being ‘Iolani’s Band Director his “dream job” are first and foremost his students’ terrific personalities, sense of humors, and responsibility–a rare trait, he notes. Although the quality of music is a definite top priority, the journey to success requires dedication, hard work, and a drive to strive towards excellence–precious lessons valued above all.
This school year, aside from a new band director, the ‘Iolani Marching Band is now comprised of not only students from Band 4, but Band 3 as well. Though a larger band makes for a greater learning experience and promises new levels of size and volume, it brings new challenges along with it. In an interview, Mr. Dayao recalls some exciting experiences at Band Camp “drill downs” between “rookies” and “old timers” which have fully convinced him that this change is for the better. In the spirit of change, Mr. Dayao explains, half jokingly, that he will clear the dusty shelves and rusted trophies, hoping to start anew, blazing ahead in a new direction. Welcome to ‘Iolani, Mr. Dayao!
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