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.
