Tuesday, July 10, 2001
ANDREA Gomez Tukuafu isn't a rookie when it comes to performing in front of an audience.
Andrea Gomez Tukuafu is finally
doing what she has thought about
since she was young -- singingBy Grace Wen
gwen@starbulletin.comThe former University of Hawaii volleyball player competed under bright lights in front of thousands at the Stan Sheriff Center.
When she graduated last December, she didn't know that her future performances would have nothing to do with sports.
"In the back of my head, while growing up, it was 'I want to sing,' " Tukuafu said. "But I was always doing basketball or volleyball. And I knew I could get a scholarship that way because I had put so much time and energy into it."
Her time and energy now are devoted to pursuing that childhood dream.
Tukuafu is one of six featured artists on Daniel Ho's 16th album, titled "Finding My Way." The CD was released in mid-June and includes vocalists Lina Girl of Local Kine Grindz, Siena Lee, Sachi Sato, bassist Dean Taba and Jake Shimabukuro on lead ukulele for the song, "Along for the Ride." Ho plays all the instruments heard on the CD.
Ho, Tukuafu and the other artists on the CD have been playing at local sites since its release. Their next performances will be July 20, at the Maui Ocean Center at 7:30 p.m.; 7 p.m. on July 21 at Mamiya Theater, and 7 p.m. on July 22 at the Naniloa Hotel in Hilo.On the CD, Tukuafu sings lead vocals on "Stronger & Stronger" and "No Resistance" and joins the other vocalists on "Along for the Ride."
"Stronger & Stronger" also has a video that will be shown on Oceanic Cable 16.
Athletics superseded her singing career for most of her life but it also helped jump-start her career. Ho's manager, Kenn Yuen, heard her sing at volleyball games and learned of her singing aspirations in a newspaper article. Yuen then contacted her and asked her to send an audition tape.
"They were thinking of doing a CD with different artists," Tukuafu said.
"They had heard that I was interested in singing and (thought) maybe I could do it."
Ho, a former Na Hoku Hanohano winner, said that he wasn't specifically searching for people but was impressed by Tukuafu's rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner", a piece he thinks is difficult to sing. He was pleasantly surprised when he learned of Tukuafu's range.
"Because I heard her sing the 'Star-Spangled Banner', I thought she had a ballad voice," Ho said. "But what I didn't realize was that she had really good rhythm, really great timing so she ended up doing more up-tempo songs."She has a real gift for performing. She has great stage presence. She can look into a camera (and) sing to a camera."
Tukuafu says that she worried about the video but, once shooting began, the process wasn't that difficult. To her, singing a song was almost nothing compared to trying make a perfect pass or serve a ball in front of 10,000 people.
"It was easier than I thought," Tukuafu said. "The scenario in the video is a girl trying to make it and she's been told that she can't reach her dreams.
"A lot of the scenes in the video have been part of my life. I've cleaned toilets. I've worked in a restaurant. I'm 23 and still struggling to find myself. It was easy to find the feeling of the song because I relate to it."
Before collaborating with Ho, Tukuafu's previous experience had been limited to a third grade talent show, a children's festival in fourth grade, occasional weddings and the national anthem at volleyball games.
She didn't have time to sing at Brigham Young University-Hawaii, though music was the reason she transferred from Lewis-Clark State, which did not have a music program.
Between double-majoring in English and music and playing volleyball, there wasn't much room left for singing. She was a member of the concert choir but the Seasiders' volleyball travel schedule forced her to miss every other concert.
When she transferred to UH to be closer to her husband Torry Tukuafu, an outside hitter with the men's volleyball team, music was delayed again as she focused on completing her English major and playing for the Wahine.
As Tukuafu's gained experience from promoting the CD with Ho, she has also adjusted to performing.
"Everytime we're out on stage, I let go a little more," Tukuafu said.
"It gets easier. It's kind of a rush to present a song to someone or to perform it or feel it so much that other people come away (saying) 'Wow, that was so beautiful.' "
Plans have been made to record a solo acoustic-alternative CD. Ho says that much of the music has already been written and the CD will be recorded within the next year.
Tukuafu may have hung up her volleyball shoes last December but her performing days seem far from over.
Editor's note: Daniel Ho's CD is available at
Borders, Sam Goody, and Tower Music Store
or online at DanielHo.com.
