A BYUH alumnus shares his experience of dedication to his undergraduate studies and effective networking that led him to studying choir conducting
After graduating from BYU–Hawaii, Iese Wilson, an alumnus from California, embarked on a postgraduate journey at Arizona State University, specializing in choir conducting. He said his ability to forge connections and network with mentors was crucial to his success in advancing his knowledge of music conducting. Reflecting on his undergraduate years, he said he had a memorable time advocating for the members of the BYUH community and enhancing his musical knowledge and skills.
Growing up in a neighborhood surrounded by 15 cousins, being of Samoan, Hawaiian and Filipino heritage, Iese Wilson said he had a lot of fun when he was young. Despite having a large family around, at home, it was different as the eldest of three brothers, he said. His middle brother is currently studying at BYUH, and his younger brother is admitted for Winter 2024.
Discovering a love for singing
When it came to singing or anything related, Iese Wilson said at first he had no interest. He said by the time he reached middle school, he had joined the school theater program and only when he went to high school did he see a sudden shift of interest in music.
He said upon his arrival at El Modena High School, he was exposed to a different kind of diversity, which he said was based more on the socioeconomic class of students and not their race. He shared his experiences in high school were fun and helped him discover his love for music. “Before [music], I tried a lot of different things and activities. When I was a freshman, I tried football, but it did not end well. During my sophomore year, I was interested and passionate in joining cross-country and triathlons.” He said one of his dreams during those years was to participate in the Tour de France one day. He said he would put 200 miles weekly on his bike as his preparation. However, his passion for triathlons shifted to conducting and singing.
Iese Wilson said as he progressed through his high school years, his interests and passions shifted in another direction. During his sophomore year, he said he got invited to join the school’s choir. He said he was hesitant at first because singing wasn’t something he was used to. But he still accepted the invitation to join, he said. Upon joining the choir, he said he fell in love with the community of his choir group in his high school, which made him love singing even more. He added how his high school choir’s members helped him feel safe, express himself better and get to know other people with different backgrounds.
Educational experiences
After finishing high school in 2012, Iese Wilson attended Santa Ana Community College in Orange County, where he enrolled in a couple of classes before transferring to BYUH. He said his experiences at BYUH were phenomenal and exciting because of his advocacy to help the LGBTQ community there. He added he was able to work with Laie Hawaii YSA 1st Stake President Kingsley Ah You tp hold a fireside about supporting members of the LGBTQ community at BYUH. He said he also shared with the BYUH administration personal stories of LGBTQ students.
Additionally, he said he had the chance to collaborate with Dr. Erica Glenn while studying at BYUH. Despite the fact music conducting was not offered at the university, he said he took some time to meet with and learn from Glenn. He said his experiences in school gave him enormous opportunities to contact great leaders and people who inspired him to pursue what he wanted in life. He said mentors and leaders are always just one email away and big stepping stones in helping one achieve their goals.
Cris Wilson, a junior from California majoring in vocal performance, said his older brother is quite different from him. He said although they have differences, they both share a love for music. He said while his older brother focuses on conducting music, he is more of a vocal performer and singer. “Before we came to BYUH, his personality was a bit intense, but upon our arrival at school, it became relaxed and more open to the people,” said Cris Wilson about his brother Iese. He added Iese Wilson became completely different but in the best way possible. He said, "He is passionate and strong, and he knows who he is.”
As part of his educational journey, Cris Wilson said his brother became more expressive of himself through music and more open, understanding and vulnerable. He said Iese Wilson’s changes helped his family to love him and better understand him. Cris Wilson added his brother’s passions and big heart helped him connect with his family and make a voice for himself in school. “His experiences at BYUH were phenomenal. He advocated [for the] LGBTQ [community] among his peers there and his love for conducting. Music grew with the people he came into contact with,” he said.
Dr. Erica Glenn, a director of choral activities and assistant professor of music at BYUH, said Iese reached out to her in a proactive way before she arrived on the island. She said since the music education program does not yet exist at BYUH, she accepted him as a private conducting student, serving as his mentor. “Iese originally planned to begin teaching at Kahuku High upon his graduation. But since he had taken private classes with me, he progressed through assistant conducting the BYUH Seasider Singers, student teaching, completing his senior project in conducting and eventually applying for grad school,” she said.
Glenn added Iese Wilson was encouraged by Dr. Jace Saplan and others to pursue his master’s in conducting. She said he applied to study at University of Hawaii where he was accepted, but he transferred to Arizona State University because Dr. Saplan, his close mentor, moved to ASU as well.
Adjusting to grad school
Glenn said Iese Wilson was very intentional about his application process. She said he took a step further and was aware of the gaps he needed to fill during his application. She said they worked together weekly, back when he was in his final semester at BYUH, and prepared him for all the aspects of his interview for graduate school. Now that he is studying at ASU, she said they have remained in close contact since. She said Iese continually reaches out for advice about navigating the programs at ASU.
Cris Wilson said his brother’s life in graduate school is both rigorous and rewarding. He said upon his transition from undergraduate to graduate school, his brother, Iese, had been trying to find things to make himself happy. “Since his graduate school is very demanding and stressful, he continues to find ways to cope with his situation. Sometimes he goes for a walk or to the gym. Oftentimes, he talks and networks with other people and mentors at ASU,” Cris said.
Moreover, Iese Wilson said he anticipated how challenging graduate school would be. He said the biggest challenge he faces is the fact that he is not in Hawaii anymore but in a semiarid, subtropical climate. He said graduate school is about critical thinking and how good you are at answering and analyzing hard questions. He added comparing the weights of undergraduate to graduate school, graduate school holds a significant weight because of how demanding it is and how things should be done in a matter of time.
In graduate school, he said he still works to know his strengths and weaknesses. Upon his arrival at ASU, he said he leaned into his strengths to navigate through the courses and programs the school offers. He said knowing his strengths and weaknesses became a tool for him to progress towards graduate school.
Balancing life at graduate school
Iese Wilson said a quote he recalls from his previous stake president, President Goodman said: “Balance is a moving target. Once you think you found it, it moves.” He said after finishing his master's program, he had to conduct choirs six to seven days a week and have enough time for rest. Iese Wilson also suggested things he does on his day off. He said, “During my day off, I make sure that I am doing these three things to spend my time productively. First, rest. Second, do something productive. Lastly, do something fun. This could be anything as long as it does not take away time from doing the others,” he said.
Future goals
Iese Wilson said part of his plans and goals during graduate school is to hit certain milestones and achievements in his academic project. He said some of the milestones he already achieved were performing Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, conducting at the choral union, and being able to join conferences such as the National ACDA conference with top American conductors and directors.
Iese Wilson said his goal in life is to give back to the communities he grew up in and help them elevate their lives in terms of singing. He said he still plans on including great people in his venture to further provide support and counsel for whatever he is doing. He said coming back to Hawaii and making a difference in music teaching is one of his goals after he finishes his studies. He said his philosophy right now is to offer privileges to others who need them, and part of his goal is to include the community he grew up with in his career.
Another goal he has is to become a choir director at the university level, either at BYUH, UH in Hilo or Kamehameha High School in Hilo. He said he will also continue to advocate to preserve cultural and traditional songs within these communities. He also said that he wanted to start a community keiki choir to help children at the beginning of their lives. He said he has a lot of options right after he finishes his studies. He said he aims to promote and advocate for people, but he is not looking to be famous and be well known. He said he wants to pursue a career where he helps people in private and where results speak louder than the words.