Kalani was selected for this honor out of a pool of more than 3,700 applicants this year starting in the fall class, involving an extensive international talent search via the World Scholarship Tour and both verbal and written recommendations and letters of support from music education and industry professionals.
A final group of 20 candidates was reviewed, resulting in just five U.S. recipients and two international recipients. This honor will provide Kalani with an educational framework and tools he will use in his professional career as a performer, composer, educator, producer, engineer, therapist, music business manager...whichever path he chooses.
Kalani will follow in the footsteps of a long list of distinguished Berklee alumni who have seized the opportunity that Berklee has provided. Presidential Scholars represent the most talented individuals among all young musicians graduating from high school each year. Enrique will receive full tuition and room and board, which is renewable over four years of study. To receive this honor, candidates must exhibit outstanding musical merit determined through a live audition to enter the pool.
The nineteen year-old flutist, winner of the National Flute Association Jazz Masterclass 2007, winner of the Yamaha Young Performing Artist 2005, winner on two occasions of the Outstanding Musicianship Award from the University of Berklee College of Music in Boston 2002 and 2003, is the son of Hawaiian native Candie Silva and Puerto Rican pianist Richard Trinidad.
Kalani has captivated jazz followers of the island of Puerto Rico with his remarkable flute performance. He has shared his talent with well-known jazz musicians including Mario Rivera, Justo Almario, Nestor Torres, Dave Valentin, Humberto Ramirez and Julito Alavado. With a warm smile and low voice, Kalani has a lot to offer. “[To] travel the whole world and share my talent with great jazz players is my dream."
The young flutist was born in Dallas Texas on November 27,1987 and moved to Puerto Rico when he was only four. By listening to his, pianist Richard Trinidad, and the music of Chick Corea and Brazilian singer/composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, Kalani was soon interested in learning music, starting flute lessons and quickly discovering his talent. “Music is like painting--pick the right colors and with a nice combination you end up with a good painting."
Kalani has his own quartet and he composes his own music because he believes that's the only way to share his real feelings. Kalani is preparing to record his first album of original compositions and arrangements. The Government of Puerto Rico awarded Kalani with a recognition for his achievements in music at such of young age. “He is a very mature young man with very defined goals and the discipline necessary to make all his dreams come true," says Osca Cartaya, Jennifer Lopez's bass player. “I believe that Kalani will continue to grow as a musician and will become a great ambassador to music," says Yamaha Performing Artist Frankie Perez. “His commitment and focus on his instrument and a musical career are absolute, and Kalani has the potential to achieve the highest level of success as an all around artist musician," says Nestor Torres, professional flute player.
“Music is my passion, my best friend at all times," says Kalani. “Music is always in my thoughts and represent my feelings the best way possible, and that is why I am a musician and I always will be."
For more information contact All About Jazz.
