Meet Manny Dayao

In my 15th year of teaching band, I began co-teaching chorus last year, and really enjoyed it. After that experiecne, I teach chorus full time again for the first time in over twenty years! This is my first year with the Hawaii chapter of ACDA and I’ve found everyone in the choral community to be friendly, welcoming, and eager to support each other. I’m looking forward to future ACDA events to get to know even more colleagues.

Over 20 years ago, my 1st teaching job was teaching choir. I also served as music director for churches in California and the Boston area before graduate school and re-entering education in the instrumental realm. One of my goals is to continue to get reoriented as a chorus teacher and bringing students into the chorus program. I’m excited to learn from the vibrant choral community, get more singing in the culture of the school, and get more students into the program. I’m also working on our school production of Hello Dolly which will hit the stage of Hawaii Theatre at the end of this month with an orchestra pit of student musicians. It’s such a privilege to be in such a great space!

Though I’m only returning to choir full time in my 40’s, I do have fond memories of choir growing up, having been in the Honolulu Boy Choir and getting to sing in the ‘Iolani Chorus under John Alexander and John McCreary. With the boys choir, I have fond memories performing in ballrooms in Waikiki, on cruise ships, the Blaisedell, and the Waikiki Shell with visiting celebrities. A fond tradition that we just completed recently was with the ‘Iolani chorus for our winter concerts at St. Andrew’s. When deciding on my future career change, a mentor of mine, Mrs. Hallman, had recently passed away. To celebrate the life of Mrs. Hallman, alumni came together to sing at her memorial service. This service felt like a homecoming to be able to share stories about Mr. and Mrs. Hallamn. Afterwards, I knew I had to return to my choral roots.