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My name
is Kris Lee-Scott, but my friends call me
"Hanai", an affectionate Hawaiian nickname meaning 'adopted one'.
About Hanai:
Born in 1955 in Oakland CA as Kristina
Mary Wolthuis, she attended locals schools including Skyline High
with Tom Hanks. With her family she traveled extensively to Canada
and Europe, living during the summers on the California Coast at
Stinson Beach which later became the basis for many natural
’soundscores’ in her albums.
Although
never formally trained, she started playing piano at age 4, two
hands by 6, memorizing the vocal score of Handel’s Messiah by 12.
At the same time, she began teaching herself multiple instruments,
including 12-string, 6-string, accordion, silver flute, cedar flute,
harmonica and more.
 In
high school she was a member of a rock band, playing and singing
contemporary hits of the 70’s. While attending college she wrote a
spoken vocal score, and co-wrote several original rock pieces in
addition to playing in the jazz band. In the 80’s she was invited
to be a part of the well-known local group “MINDZEYE” and the
all-girl band “AVATAR”, playing live venues all over the California
Bay Area, sharing the stage with Chris Isaac, Greg Kihn Band, and
Ellen Degeneres.
After
moving to the Sierra Foothills in 1988, she started a business
called
“Keyboard Kids” to teach children the fun and basic skills of
playing music in a rock band setting. She also began doing
performances in Olde Coloma Theater, and Theatre El Dorado, even
writing original melodrama to rave reviews. In 1990 she filmed
Paramount Pictures “Rescue Me” with Michael Dudicoff.
1991
brought another move...this time to Salt Lake City, UT. After
many losses ending with the death of Kea, she was inspired to make a
new start.
 The
Story of Kea
“In May
1992 I received the news my beautiful Himalayan kitty was dying of
feline leukemia. I had just moved to Salt Lake City from California
with no family or friends except “Kea” (Pronounced KAY-ya). As I
watched my treasured pet deteriorate in pain, I felt an overwhelming
need to tell her how much I loved her. So I wrote
“KEA’s SONG”
A few days later she died in my arms.”
“I sent a tape of the song to my family in California. My brother
Peter was very ill, yet called me and said something that changed my
life. He told me “Kris, this song is just wonderful. My whole
family listens to it and we just cry. “You
need to quit your job and write music full time.”
That was
the last I ever spoke to him, because Peter himself passed away
seven days later at the age of 35.”
“I believe a great gift has been given to me,, and my gift in
return, is to share my music with as many people as possible. If
you enjoy listening to my music, please pass it on to your family
and friends, and write or email me with your comments. Thank you
for sharing my love and spirit.” |
