One year ago, 'Aina Haina Elementary had just started its chorus program with a small class of 30 fourth- and fifth-graders. Today, the group has more than doubled in size and is preparing a 30-minute repertoire for a spring concert in Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif.

"I'm a little nervous," said Kiralee Ramos, a fourth-grader who has been singing with the chorus since it started. "We're going to be singing in front of a lot of people."

While members of the chorus traveled to the Neighbor Islands in the past year, this will be their first out-of-state performance.

Thirty-five third-, fourth- and fifth-graders from the 70-person chorus will share a taste of Hawai'i with audiences at Disneyland at noon March 19, as they sing and dance hula at the Carnation Plaza Gardens stage.

The performance is part of the Disney Magic Music Days program, where talented student performing arts groups from around the world are selected to train with Disneyland staff and perform at different Disneyland venues.

On the morning of their concert, the 'Aina Haina chorus members will participate in a Disney Magic Music performance workshop where they'll receive tips about their songs and dance moves.

The choir's concert will include some Disney tunes, as well as local classics such as "The Days of My Youth" and "One Paddle, Two Paddle."

After submitting several audition tapes to the Disney Magic Music Days program, the chorus was notified in November that it had been selected.

The students were elated by the news, said chorus teacher Scott Takata.

"I'm really excited for the rides and to spend time with my friends," said fourth-grader Shari-Lynn Hayashi.

Even though the chorus will have three days to explore Disneyland with their chaperones, Takata said the trip is not just a vacation but a learning opportunity.

"We want to address the whole of the child, not just the musical part," he said. "Even if they go, they have to keep up their grades and homework."

Part of the effort has been fundraising to pay for uniforms (required by the Disneyland program) and help keep down travel expenses. Designer Mamo Howell has agreed to make the group's aloha attire for the performance.

So far, students have sold baked goods and Shaka Gear sandals and have collected money from recycling bottles and cans. Some students whose parents are hair stylists even sold coupons for hair cuts.

More fundraising events are tentatively scheduled to take place after school starts again in January, Takata said.

"We want them to learn that they have to work to earn things," he said. "They learn how to present themselves and make a sales pitch — even if it's just to Auntie and Uncle."

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