Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra Names First-Ever Music Director

Brisbane-born conductor Dane Lam will step into the role in July 2023

For the first time in its ten-year existence, the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra (HSO) appointed a permanent Music Director. Chinese-Australian conductor Dane Lam will assume the post in July 2023, and will serve for an initial four-year term.

A native of Brisbane, Lam learned the piano, clarinet, and saxophone as a child and studied conducting with Gwyn Roberts at the University of Queensland. He then spent several years studying with Gianluigi Gelmetti, the conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Lam received his Master's degree from The Juilliard School under James DePreist and then carried out a Junior Fellowship with Sir Mark Elder at the Royal Northern College of Music.

Alongside his new position at the HSO, Lam remains the Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the Xi'An Symphony Orchestra. He has seen subscriptions and concert attendance doubling since he took over the post.

"Over the years, I’ve come to know Dane as someone not only gifted with incredible artistic insight and conducting prowess, but also someone who understands the power a symphony orchestra can have in positively shaping a community," said Dave Moss, HSO President and CEO.

"Dane is the right choice for Hawai‘i’s orchestra because he is committed to engaging our diverse community in the power of music making and exploring what music and storytelling means for our identity as a Pacific people."