Dreams can come true. For 21-year-old Kalei Gamiao, his newly released album, Kalei, has its roots in classes taught by some of the most extraordinary Hawaii musicians including Dreana Kane, Alfred Canopin, Gordon Mark, Byron Yasui, Benny Chong, and Kimo Hussey. Kalei has won numerous ukulele contests and is called to perform at different venues.To enhance his musical passion as performer, composer and arranger, Kalei is currently enrolled in the Mele Program at Honolulu Community College to get his degree in Music Business and Audio Engineering. Kalei’s dream of releasing a CD has become a reality in this album with a contemporary-classical flair.

In Kalei, you will experience what radiates from within this young man as he showcases his passion for this simple four-stringed instrument in original compositions and well-known standards. Recently Kalei has had the honor of being nominated for “Instrum ental Album of The Year” in the 2009, Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. “I am honored to have my album produced by Aaron Kimura and to have such great guest musicians; Gabe Baltazar, Robert Shinoda, Dean Taba, Michael Grande, Garin Poliahu, Aron Nelson, Leslie Kline, and Jon Porlas. I hope to one day show the world what this little four-stringed instrument is capable of and also to share the gift of music with others because it is the one thing that brings us all together.” And when you speak to this soft-spoken young man with eyes that reflect the joy of music, you know it comes from his heart.