Honolulu – The Honolulu Symphony is honored to announce that Academy Award-winning actor Marcia Gay Harden and legendary surfer Laird Hamilton have joined the Honolulu Symphony’s board of directors as honorary members. Harden and Hamilton are both dedicated supporters of educational philanthropy, as well as many other civic organizations. They join a dedicated board of community leaders who are committed to keeping a world-class orchestra in Hawaii and offering high-quality music education programs in the State’s schools.

Harden, who received an Academy Award for her role opposite Ed Harris in Pollock, has had a long and acclaimed career on both stage and screen. Harden is recognized for her standout roles in films such as Miller’s Crossing, Used People, The Spitfire Grill, and Mystic River. In addition, she is known for roles in such plays as “The Years” and “Those the River Keeps,” and received a Tony Award nomination for her Broadway debut in Angels in America. She is a frequent visitor to Hawaii.

Surfer Magazine editor Sam George calls Hamilton “the sport’s most complete surfer, displaying almost unnerving expertise in a multitude of disciplines: tow-surfing, bodysurfing, longboarding, paddling, sailboarding, kite-surfing.” Hamilton, who grew up on Oahu and Kauai, is recognized as the guiding genius of crossover board sport. He is the author of “Force of Nature: Mind, Body, Soul, and, Of Course, Surfing” and is featured in several films, including ‘Path of Purpose’, a short documentary about Hamilton’s endeavor with his tow partner, Dave Kalama, to help fund and raise awareness for Autism.

In recent years, the Honolulu Symphony has experienced a greater demand for education programs in schools, as well as free community concerts. To meet the growing needs of schools and the greater community, the non-profit organization has more than doubled its outreach programs. Honolulu Symphony initiatives include free concerts in schools; free, family-friendly concerts; training for classroom teachers; and hundreds of performances in classrooms on the Islands of Maui, Hawaii, Oahu and Kauai.

For more information, visit www.honolulusymphony.com.