Jazz pianist/composer Billy Childs remains one of the most diversely prolific and acclaimed artists working in music today. Childs’ canon of original compositions and arrangements has garnered him the 2013 Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship (2009), a composers award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters (2015), and two Chamber Music America grants: the Jazz New Works Grant (2006) and the Classical Commissioning Grant (2019). Childs has had sixteen Grammy nominations, and five Grammy awards, most recently for Best Jazz Instrumental Album ('Rebirth'). Previously he won for Best Arrangement, Instrumental & Vocal (featuring Renée Fleming and Yo-Yo Ma) in 2015 for ‘New York Tendaberry’, from his highly successful release 'Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro’. Other Grammy wins include Best Instrumental Composition for ‘The Path Among the Trees’ (2011) and ‘Into The Light’ (2005), from his much-heralded jazz/chamber releases, ‘Autumn: In Moving Pictures’ and ‘Lyric’. Downbeat magazine states, “...Childs’ jazz/chamber group has taken the jazz-meets classical format to a new summit.” Born in Los Angeles in 1957, Childs was already proficient at the piano by age 6; he was accepted in USC’s Community School For The Performing Arts at age 16, studying music theory and piano with some of the world’s most renowned musical scholars. He graduated from USC in 1979 with a degree in composition. Among Childs’ early influences: Herbie Hancock, Keith Emerson, Chick Corea and others. He credits classical composers such as Paul Hindemith, Maurice Ravel, and Igor Stravinsky for also influencing his love of composition. Childs' performing career was also enriched with early-career apprenticeships with legendary jazz trombonist J.J. Johnson, and trumpet great Freddie Hubbard, in the late 1970s/early 1980s. Childs released his first solo album, ‘Take For Example, This…’ in 1988, on Windham Hill Jazz Records. It was the first of four raved-about albums on the imprint, culminating with the acclaimed ‘Portrait Of A Player,’ in 1993. In 1995 Childs released ‘I’ve Known Rivers’ on Stretch/GRP Records. In 1996 he released ‘The Child Within’ on Shanachie Records. Songs from both recordings garnered his first Grammy nominations. Childs recorded two volumes of "jazz/chamber music" (an amalgam of jazz and classical music) titled 'Lyric, Vol. 1 (2006)' and 'Autumn: In Moving Pictures, Vol. 2 (2010)'. Both recordings have collectively been nominated for five Grammy awards, winning twice. Childs’ multiple musical interests also include collaborations, arrangements, and productions for other acclaimed artists, including Yo Yo Ma, The Kronos Quartet, Wynton Marsalis, Sting, Chris Botti, and Leonard Slatkin, among others. He has received orchestral commissions from The Los Angeles Philharmonic (Tone Poem, 1993; Fanfare for the United Races of America, 1994; If, to The Color of Midnight, 2003; and Of Darkness and Light, 2018), The Los Angeles Master Chorale (The Voices of Angels, 2005; and In Gratitude, 2017), The Dorian Wind Quartet (A Day in the Forest of Dreams, 1996), The Detroit Symphony Orchestra, The Lincoln Jazz Center Orchestra, The American Brass Quintet, The Lyris Quartet, Anne Akiko Meyers, Inna Faliks, and Rachel Barton Pine (a solo violin suite titled 'Four Portraits for Violin,' and a one movement sonata for violin and piano titled 'Incident on Larpenteur Avenue'). In 2013 he premiered 'Enlightened Souls' a commission from Duke University featuring Dianne Reeves and the Ying Quartet, to commemorate fifty years of African-American students attending the school. In 2016, he premiered the piano quintet, 'The Bird, The River, The Storm', also with the Ying Quartet (a piece they commissioned). In 2014 Childs released 'Map to the Treasure – Reimagining Laura Nyro' (Sony Masterworks), which was produced by Larry Klein and features Reneé Fleming, Esperanza Spalding, Alison Krauss, Shawn Colvin, Rickie Lee Jones, Becca Stevens, Ledisi, Chris Botti, Yo-Yo Ma and Susan Tedeschi. In August 2020 he returned to the quartet configuration as a follow-up release of the aforementioned Grammy-winning 'Rebirth', with "Acceptance" (also on the Mack Avenue label).

Since its inception in 1976, the Honolulu Brass Quintet has been a cherished musical presence throughout Honolulu and the state of Hawai‘i. Renowned for their versatility, the Quintet is in demand for a wide range of special occasions, from church services and private parties to graduations and educational in-school performances. As one of three resident ensembles presented by Chamber Music Hawai‘i, the Honolulu Brass Quintet offers full-length brass performances in premier venues across the state. Their regular concert series includes performances at the Doris Duke Theatre and Blue Note Hawaii in Honolulu, as well as the Palikū Theatre on the Windward side of O‘ahu. The Quintet's repertoire spans a broad spectrum, from the lively brass band music of New Orleans to the majestic renaissance fanfares of Gabrieli. The members of the Quintet are all full-time professional musicians, performing regularly with the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Hawaiian Band. This unique combination of talents guarantees the highest level of musical artistry. The Honolulu Brass Quintet's dedication to excellence and community engagement has solidified its reputation as a premier brass ensemble, enriching the musical life of Hawai‘i with dynamic performances and unwavering commitment to the arts. Anna Lenhart, Horn Anna is the Principal Hornist of the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Honolulu Brass Quintet, both positions she's held since 2018. Her education includes a BM from Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah and an MM from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California. She also trained at Interlochen, Tanglewood, Brevard, and Aspen. Since beginning horn at age 12, Anna has performed with various ensembles throughout the United States, Poland, China, Korea, Japan, and Mongolia. Her favorite venues include Carnegie Hall and Coachella. After a freezing childhood in southeast Idaho, Anna is thrilled to experience our Hawaiian winters. JoAnn Lamolino, Trumpet JoAnn Lamolino is currently the Associate Principal/Second Trumpet of the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra and Lecturer in Trumpet at the University of Hawai‘i. On the mainland, JoAnn is Second Trumpet of the Reading Symphony Orchestra in Reading, PA. An advocate for diversity in classical music, JoAnn is on the trumpet faculty of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s YOLA National Festival. Other performance highlights include the Baltimore, Omaha, New Jersey, Tucson, and Charleston Symphonies, American Ballet Theatre and on Broadway shows in NYC. She is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music and Boston University. JoAnn is also a Kundalini Yoga instructor. Integrating her passions of music and yoga/meditation, JoAnn founded the Mind.Music.Sanctuary, a yoga/meditation base for musicians to improve performance and practice through mindfulness. In addition to online workshops, JoAnn has presented masterclasses at Boston University Tanglewood Institute, DePaul University, Northern Illinois, University of Arizona and others. Casey Tamanaha, Trumpet Casey Tamanaha officially joined the Honolulu Brass Quintet as a permanent member during the spring of 2024, having regularly subbed with the ensemble for several years. He is also a member of the Royal Hawaiian Band and serves as acting Third Trumpet with the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra. Casey has performed with the Hawai‘i Opera Theater and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, showcasing his versatility and skill. He earned his bachelor's degree from the Juilliard School and a master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music. His primary teachers include Mark Gould, Ethan Bensdorf, Terry Everson, Mark Schubert, and Grant Okamura. Gabe Cruz, Trombone Gabe Cruz joined the Honolulu Brass Quintet in the spring of 2024. Additionally, Gabe serves as the euphonium player for the Royal Hawaiian Band and as acting Associate Principal Trombonist with the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra. Originally from Oakland California, Gabe was an active performer and educator in the Bay Area for over a decade, performing regularly with the San Francisco Symphony, Opera, and Ballet orchestras. He has also performed with the Chicago Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, and Virginia Symphony. Gabe's love for both chamber and orchestral music is evident in his extensive touring across the United States, Europe, and South America with various ensembles. As an educator, he is dedicated to sharing his expertise, having taught at numerous schools and youth programs. T.J. Ricer, Tuba A Life Member of the International Tuba and Euphonium Association, Dr. Thomas J. Ricer teaches Tuba and Euphonium at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and performs as a full-time tubist with the Royal Hawaiian Band, the Acting Principal Tubist of the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra, and tubist for the Honolulu Brass Quintet. He holds degrees from Miami University, the University of Tennessee, and the Eastman School of Music. Ricer has performed with the Cincinnati, Syracuse, Knoxville, Lima, and Middletown Symphony Orchestras as well as Keith Brion’s New Sousa Band, with whom he toured China. He is a former principal tubist of the Springfield and Lebanon Symphony Orchestras. Ricer has played modern jazz as the tubist for the Dave Rivello Ensemble, funk as a founding member of the Po’ Boys Brass Band, and country as the lead singer and bass player for CASH Back.

Based in Honolulu, the Galliard String Quartet is committed to exploring and interpreting the musical masterpieces of the past and today. Fueled by passion and sometimes coffee, the Galliard String Quartet’s romance for the music of Beethoven, Brahms, Dvorak, Schubert and many others is unparalleled. Founded in 1982, the Galliard is known throughout the islands for their uncompromising commitment to performing classical and new music of the highest caliber. All four members of the present Galliard are members of the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra and are also seasoned teachers and music educators in the community.  The Galliard is one of three professional ensembles promoted by Chamber Music Hawaii, an independent 501c3 Hawai`i nonprofit whose mission is to enrich Hawaii cultural life and promote appreciation and understanding of chamber music, through concerts and educational outreach programs in various communities throughout the state. Though the Galliard performs predominantly on Oahu, the group also tours to Hawai‘i, Maui, Kauai, Moloka‘i, and Lāna‘i islands for concerts and educational outreach in public libraries, schools and even private homes.  Recent highlights and collaborations include acclaimed Hawaiian artist Raiatea Helm, pianist Wu Han, conductor and silent film historian Rick Benjamin, Onium Ballet, Hawaii Vocal Arts Ensemble and Chaminade University, and composer Jon Magnussen.

The Spring Wind Quintet performs concerts and educational services throughout Hawai‘i, nationally and internationally. Repertoire includes contemporary, pops, and Hawaiian music, plus the standard classics. Interest in new music and world music has inspired the creation of several original works and numerous new arrangements. Collaborating with their string, brass, and keyboard colleagues in Chamber Music Hawai‘i, the Spring Wind Quintet has performed and also commissioned many works for expanded and mixed instrumentation. The quintet’s work with Hawaiian artists led to a Grammy nomination in 2013 (“Malama Ko Aloha”) and a Nā Hōkū Hanohono nomination in 2016 (“Paka’a Lanakila!”). Spring Wind Quintet is a recipient of grants from Chamber Music America’s Ensemble Residency program and from the National Endowment for the Arts.