WHEREAS, NEVA REGO, born and raised in Kaimuki, O'ahu, heard an operatic aria on the radio and fell in love with opera at a very early 7 years old; and

WHEREAS, after studying under the tutelage of numerous voice instructors locally, NEVA REGO traveled to San Francisco's Music Conservatory to further train and mature her soprano voice and to find the Italian technique she longed to learn; and

WHEREAS, unable to find the right technique at the Conservatory, NEVA REGO returned to the islands and found employment as a performer at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, and by working a day job and performing at night, she was able to save enough money to pursue her dream and relocated to Milan, Italy, to study at the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory, and to find the right instructor to teach her a specific style; and

WHEREAS, she finally succeeded when hearing a gorgeous soprano at a La Scala Concert, her search finally bringing her to a signora who could teach her and fulfill her dreams; and

WHEREAS, in 1980, NEVA REGO returned to Hawaii and opened the Bel Canto School of Singing where she now had the opportunity to share her love of singing and opera with others, and throughout the years, her outstanding talent as a voice teacher and her dedication to opera, has provided the foundation for many others to find their own success in the profession that provided her with so many rewards; and

WHEREAS, she successfully taught numerous students, of which 16 have become Miss Hawaii's, and 2 have become Miss America's; and

WHEREAS, NEVA REGO continues to dedicate her time and effort in the music arena even today, as a board member at Sacred Hearts where she graduated, and is also a supporter of students attending Roosevelt High School who are studying opera; and

WHEREAS, NEVA REGO volunteers with the annual Miss America Pageant, is also instrumental in securing and coordinating musical entertainment throughout the year for political gatherings, gives her time and support to the Hawaii Opera Theater, including serving as a Board of Director, and as a Committee Member with the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts Bill Murata Memorial Scholarship, and is also a Board of Director with the National Society of Arts and Letters where she has also served as an Honorary Chapter member since 1981; and

WHEREAS, NEVA REGO was recognized as the 1997 Treasure of Kaimuki by the Mayor of Honolulu, and the Honolulu City Council paid tribute to her in 2002 for her lifelong commitment to opera; and

WHEREAS, in 2003, she was honored as a "distinguished alumni" of Sacred Hearts Academy, and co-chaired her alma mater’s scholarship fundraising gala in 2005; and

WHEREAS, Neva Rego was awarded an "Excellence in Education" award in 2005 at the National Society of Arts and Letters 2005 National Conference held here in Hawai`i at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, marking the first time the Society had ever bestowed such an honor to one of its’ own; and

WHEREAS, the recipient of this award is someone who has willingly donated greatly to the community in the areas of Arts and Letters; now, therefore,

Report Title:

Neva Rego; acknowledging and honoring