Faculty & Staff

Dr. Adam Kehl serves as Associate Director of Bands, Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, where he conducts the symphonic band and concert band, directs the Rainbow Warrior Marching Band, and teaches courses in music education. He previously served as Director of Bands at Elon University in Elon, NC, conducting the wind ensemble and chamber winds, directing the marching and basketball bands, teaching courses in music education and advising undergraduate research projects. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Dr. Kehl holds Bachelor of Music degrees in Music Education and Percussion Performance from the University of Oregon, a Master of Music in conducting from the University of New Mexico, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts in conducting from the University of South Carolina. He previously served as a high school band director in the public schools of California and is highly active as a clinician, adjudicator, guest conductor and music arranger for concert and marching bands around the United States.

Dr. Kehl has completed three musical tours abroad, including tours in China and Italy, and served as an Associate Producer on the USC Wind Ensemble’s critically acclaimed “Bernstein: The Transcriptions for Wind Band” for Naxos Records. He maintains an active research agenda in two areas. His primary research focuses on the creation of historically accurate critical editions, for the purpose of modern performance, of wind music from the French Revolution (1789-1799). Three of his editions from composers Gossec, Catel and Hyacinthe Jadin are published and available from Maxime’s Music (concertbandmusicstore.com). Dr. Kehl recently presented sessions at the Hawai’i, Maryland and New Jersey Music Educators Association State Conventions on his secondary research interest, Laban Movement Analysis and its usage in conducting pedagogy, score study and ensemble rehearsals.

A keen advocate for new music, media integration, creative programming and inter-arts collaboration, some of Dr. Kehl’s recent projects include, “A Little Song and Dance,” a collaboration with the Elon Dance Program, and “Mozart in Popular Culture,” an exploration of the use of Mozart’s “Gran Partita” in television and film. He has worked with such guests artists as Dr. David Constantine from the US “Presidents Own” Marine Band, Dr. Nave Graham, founding member of the All of the Above Ensemble, Lynn and Dr. John Beck, and Elon University President Dr. Leo Lambert. Dr. Kehl is actively involved in bringing new works to life through commissioning and conducting premieres, including works by Donald Grantham, Kevin Walczyk, David Clay Mettens, Carter Pann, Adrienne Albert, Todd Coleman, Ted King-Smith, David Kirkland Garner, Nick Omiccioli, and Aaron Perrine.

Dr. Kehl holds memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, and NAfME.

Dean Taba is a freelance bassist, composer, producer, and educator living in Honolulu, HI. He began his musical studies on the piano at the age of 6 and played french horn in the Hawaii Youth Symphony. It was a desire to play in the high school jazz band that introduced him to the bass and improvised music.

After studying at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Dean moved in 1984 to Los Angeles to further refine his skills on both the Acoustic and Electric bass. For 20 years, Dean worked in the studios of LA with his musical heroes, mentors, and contemporaries recording countless albums, TV shows, jingles, movies, and video game soundtracks. He was even instrumental in creating Trilian, an award winning Virtual Instrument. In spite of a very busy recording and touring schedule, Dean made time to teach at The Dick Grove School of Music, Musician’s Institute, and the Los Angeles Music Academy, as well as recording three of his own albums.

He is now back home in Palolo Valley performing, teaching, recording, and producing some of Hawai’i’s most influential and innovative artists. And he is very excited to be director of the Hawai’i Youth Symphony Combo and the Jazz Band of The University of Hawai’i at Manoa.

Sean Mitchell is the Drumline Director and Arranger for the University of Hawai`i Rainbow Marching Band. Born and Raised on Oahu, he started playing drums in 2005 at `Iolani School where he performed in the Stage Band, Concert Band, Marching Band, Concert Orchestra and Fall Musical Pit Orchestra. After high school, Sean attended the University of Hawaii at Mānoa where he participated in the Jazz Band and Drumline. He started as a Drumline Instructor and Arranger in 2013 working with many local high schools, including `Iolani, Punahou, Radford, Roosevelt and Mililani. Sean is currently working with Mililani High School as their Battery Instructor. He is eager to raise the standard for Drumlines here in Hawai`i.

Cara Horide was born and raised here on the island of Oahu. She began dancing at the age of 9 with Drill Team Hawaii, then joined 24/7 Danceforce   while attending Castle Performing Arts High School in Kaneohe. Continuing thru college, she led the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warrior Dancers from 2004-2005 as Captain. But the calling to pursue this art form as a career path became clear, so she moved to Los Angeles, and found a family with a group of misfits who became known as Fanny Pak. This crew went on to compete on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew for both Seasons 2 and 7, touring and teaching both nationally and internationally.

She continued to make waves in the industry, performing and choreographing for artists and productions such as Janet Jackson, Nicki Minaj, Avril Lavigne, Ciraue du Soleil, Alvin and the Chipmunks, So You Think You Can Dance, Disney, Nickelodeon, and more. After nearly 10 years, she chose to return home to raise her family, and groom the next generation of bright eyed and bushy tailed movement makers. This is her third year as Coach for UHRWD, and she intends to make this the best yet. Go Bows!