Artistic Director/Choreographer:
Nadari Hockenhull
Nadari Hockenhull brings a rich and diverse background to the Kona Glee Club. She is a Neo-Classical Vocal Artist, Educator, Choreographer, and Holistic Vocal Therapist. She is known for her seamless cross-over between musical genres—ranging from operatic to R&B style. In addition to her vocal expertise, Nadari is a seasoned choreographer in ballet, jazz, and hip hop, integrating expressive movement and stage artistry into her musical leadership. Her unique ability to blend vocal excellence with dynamic stage direction allows her to craft performances that are both emotionally resonant and visually compelling.
Before relocating to Hawaiʻi, Nadari was a Professor of Voice at AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles, where she trained aspiring performers in multi-genre vocal performance, stage presence, and audition preparation. She began her educational journey teaching general music and the performing arts at Schools across California and Arizona, where she cultivated a love for music and the arts. She has also released several albums and has a thriving Vocal Therapy practice that combines private voice study, sound therapy, and emotional healing work.
Nadari’s career as a performing artist includes a solo performance at Carnegie Hall in tribute to opera legend Kathleen Battle, and a featured role in Graffiti Blues, a rap-opera based on Romeo and Juliet performed at the Inaugural Ball for President Bill Clinton. She was awarded 2nd place in the Metropolitan Opera Regional Competition, toured with the Houston Grand Opera’s production of Porgy and Bess, and studied in Austria with the Tyrolean Opera Program, further enriching her vocal training and international artistic perspective. Most recently, Nadari was honored as a 2025 Hawaiian Idol Finalist, a statewide recognition of her vocal artistry, passion, and ability to move audiences through authentic and powerful performances.
She currently teaches at Kealakehe High School and serves as a Performer and Board Member with the Kona Choral Society. She is a Worship Leader at the Kona International Christian Church, where her gifts of inspiration, encouragement, and musical leadership uplift the community. As an advocate for arts education and accessibility, she has also served as a teaching artist with the Arizona, Los Angeles, and Houston Operas, where she worked to expose youth and underserved communities to the world of opera and live performance.
Piano Accompanist:
Vaina Barton
Vaina Barton is from the beautiful island of Tahiti. After high school, she attended BYU-Hawaii and graduated with a Bachelor of Art degree in Piano Pedagogy. In college, she met her husband, a local Hawaiian boy. They are raising three amazing boys and one sweet girl in Kona where she divides her time between composing, teaching piano, photography, baking, crafting and other artistic pursuits. She loves music and recently wrote, from her heart, a collection of beautiful compositions.
