Faculty & Staff

Dr. Jeffrey Boeckman is Director of Bands and Professor of Music at the University of Hawai‘i, Mānoa. He conducts the Wind Ensemble, teaches courses in conducting and wind literature, and oversees the entire UH Bands program. In the first years under his direction, the UH Bands have embarked on an ambitious agenda of programming, commissioning, touring, and professional development, including the development of an MM Conducting degree program, collaborations with guest artists, the UH Conductors Workshop, and a composer residency program, all with the goal of developing the UH Bands into a national and international-profile band program.

Dr. Boeckman has served as guest conductor with the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Music Hawai‘i, and has conducted both the O‘ahu Band Director Association and Central District Honor Groups. He has served as a conductor, adjudicator, and clinician across the US and internationally. Ensembles under his direction have performed at such venues as the W/NW CBDNA conference, California, Hawai‘i, and Texas MEA conferences, and throughout North America and Europe. His scholarly work has been presented at the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) International Conference, College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) National Conference, and the California & Hawai‘i Music Educators Association State Conferences, and has been published in the Music Educators Journal and the Journal of Band Research. His book, A Counterpoint of Characters: the Music of Michael Colgrass, was published by VDM Verlag.

Prior to this appointment, Dr. Boeckman held positions at California State University-San Bernardino (where he founded the Inland Empire Youth Wind Symphony), Texas A&M University-Commerce, and Roanoke College. He also directed the bands and orchestra program at Shasta High School in Northern California, and served as conductor of the Redding Symphony Youth Orchestra and guest conductor for the Redding Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Boeckman holds degrees from the University of California at Berkeley, the University of Arizona, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His principal conducting teachers include Michael Senturia, Gregg Hanson, and James Smith.

Gwen Nakamura is Assistant Band Director, Assistant Director of the Marching Band and Director of the Concert Band at the University of Hawai’i. She received her Bachelor of Education in Music and Master of Arts in Music Education from the University of Hawai’i. She conducts and writes shows for the Marching Band and is the conductor of the Pep Bands.

Ms. Nakamura is an accomplished saxophonist and bassoonist and has taught applied music for the University of Hawai’i on the saxophone. She has many secondary students on both the saxophone and bassoon. Before coming to the University, she led successful band programs at Castle High School and Kahuku High School.

Her professional affiliations include the National Band Association, Music Educators National Conference, Hawai’i Music Educators Association, and the College Band Directors National Association.

Justin Woo currently serves as the Director of Operations for the University of Hawaiʻi Bands. He is an alumnus of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Music. He is presently pursuing a second Bachelor of Arts in General Music as well as a Master of Science in Athletic Administration.

During his time as an undergraduate at UH Mānoa, Mr. Woo was actively involved in the UH Bands program, serving as a student equipment manager and ensemble member. In his current role, he oversees the day-to-day operations and logistical coordination for all ensembles within the UH Bands program. His responsibilities include managing undergraduate and graduate equipment staff, coordinating event logistics, maintaining instrument inventory and repairs, overseeing the music library and uniform inventory, managing social media, and handling various administrative functions essential to the program’s success.

Aside from his duties with the UH Bands, he is a Marching Band Technician, substitute music teacher, and girls’ soccer coach at Punahou School; a Senior Producer for Gameday Events with the UH Athletics Marketing Department; and the College Band & Spirit Squad Liaison for ESPN Events Hawaiʻi, supporting the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic and the Hawaiʻi Bowl. He is also an active member of the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians (NAPBIRT), the National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS) and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA).

Robynne Asato is the Color Guard director for the University of Hawaiʻi Rainbow Warrior Marching Band. She graduated from Aiea High School where she was a member of the color guard and marched saxophone. She graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi and was a member of the UH Color Guard for 5 years. Aside from her duties with the UHCG, she was a member of the Kaikalino Independent Winter guard, former technician for the Kaiser High School Guard program. She is currently the Color Guard instructor for the Aiea High School Na Aliʻi Marching Band and the founder for Hoʻoilina Independent Winter guard.

Fernando Pacheco is a proud alumnus of the University of Hawaii at Manoa and has been the voice of the Marching Band since 2016. 

The former tuba player began entertaining radio listeners in 2001, hosting various programs on Star 101.9 KUCD-FM and 105.9 KPOI-FM. Pacheco also produced and hosted his own television show, “Almost Local” on Time Warner Cable’s OC16. 

Aside from his work with the University of Hawaii “Rainbow Warrior” Marching Band, he currently hosts the Ka Moana Luau and serves as a Communication Specialist for Hawaiian Airlines.