Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony

Congratulations to the two 2026 Nā Hōkū ‘Ōpio "Young Stars" competition winners: Ian Jun (cello) and Kolleen Roessig (composer - the first to win this category)!

This annual competition hosted by Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra features high school students from 10-12th grade who are full-time residents of Hawai‘i.

We appreciate HSO's commitment to showcasing the young talent we have here in Hawai‘i, and are so proud of the three winners, who are also students of HYS! 👏

Please save the date to see these young artists take the stage with the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra:

📅 Sunday, July 12, 2026 • 7:30PM
📍 Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall

This concert also happens to be our Pacific Music Institute x Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra Side-by-Side Concert! Entry is free with RSVP. Be sure to follow PMI for more details.

This Senior Saturday is for the Jazz seniors! Ho‘omaika‘i to senior HYS Jazz members of the Class of '26 👏👏

From HYS Jazz faculty Dean Taba, Ryan Howe, and Noel Okimoto, they said: "We used to say that what we teach at HYS jazz is 'to adapt to changing circumstances with a minimum of fuss.' We still believe this to be true but what you have been developing is broader than that. It is something that all great musicians (Jazz, Classical, Rock, Folk, R&B, and all styles) and great collaborators (in ANY endeavor) do well. It is the ability to know when to 'speak up,' and potentially change things and when to 'self-edit,' and go with the flow. These phrases are [in quotes] because they are meant to apply MUSICALLY, but also verbally and in writing throughout all collaborations and relationships in your life. Your future is bright as are your musical aspirations."

Congratulations, jazz seniors, on all you've learned and accomplished! A hui hou, until we play together again!

You can read more from our senior class of 2026 at the link in our bio.

Ho‘omaika‘i to our friends at Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra! 🎉

Governor Josh Green recently signed HB1860 into law, officially designating the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra as the State Orchestra of Hawai‘i. It's a recognition so meaningful to all of us who believe in the power of live music in our island home.

We're proud to call HSO a true partner in that work. For decades, HYS and HSO have shared a special connection; many of our conductors, staff members, and alumni are HSO musicians themselves. And through our Side-by-Side initiative, our most advanced students get to sit alongside HSO professionals, performing together on the same stage in a real concert setting. This valuable experience exists because of the relationship we've built with this incredible organization.

Hawaiʻi now has a State Orchestra, and our keiki have a front-row seat to what's possible.

Congratulations, HSO!

If you attended our ROARchestra Rally last month, you probably noticed the hundreds of students playing beautiful music. But, did you notice the details that made the event run smoothly and feel special? Like...

⭐️ Signage to help you find each stage
⭐️ Fans to keep you cool
⭐️ Tons of volunteers posted around the zoo

These details represent an entire lean, mean operations team and months (and months!) of planning and logistics that make it all possible. If you've ever wondered what it takes to put on just one HYS event (out of the 50 to 60 we do annually), we recently published a blog about just that. Learn more about the dedicated work our ops team puts into ensuring our students and audiences have a wonderful event experience: https://www.hiyouthsymphony.org/the-people-who-make-every-hys-concert-happen/

This Senior Saturday, we celebrate the violins of YSII!

Our seniors accomplish so much, and weʻre proud of what youʻve done and what you will do.

YSII Conductor, Elden Seta, shares "You have the choice and the chance to shape the world into what you want it to be. Your futures are unwritten and full of potential. Go out there and create the impactful, successful story and masterpiece that is YOUR LIFE. Please take good care of yourselves and always cherish the memories of your musical journey and your time with the Hawai‘i Youth Symphony."

Congratulations, seniors!

Have you heard about our programs at Boys & Girls Club of Hawai‘i Nānākuli Clubhouse?

We partner with the Nānākuli YET Clubhouse to provide two levels of violin and general music classes, available during the regular school year.

These low-cost programs are perfect for keiki who have an interest to learn music concepts and grow their love for music!

If you think your child may be interested in these classes, now is a great time to look into the details, which you can find at our link in bio. Registration is through the BGCH Nānākuli YET Clubhouse directly and opens in the fall. Be sure to follow us to be reminded when registration opens!

In celebration of our 60th season last year, each of our Symphony Program ensembles debuted a new commission thanks to the Keiko M. Sato New Music Fund.

Honoring the widely respected pianist, teacher, and arts supporter Keiko Sato (and her brother, Tadashi Sato), this fund was established in 2013 to be used towards commissions of major new compositions, orchestrations, and arrangements created for HYS. It gives our students the opportunity to learn and perform new works made for them, and connect them to living composers!

Visit https://www.hiyouthsymphony.org/keikosatofund/ to learn more about the fund and watch the three pieces composed for our 60th season:

🎶 Jan Ken Po by Dr. Byron Yasui
🎶 Hōkūpa‘a by Justin Park (HYS '22)
🎶 Orbital by Dr. Takuma Itoh

Itʻs time to say a hui hou to our seniors who play Cello and Bass!

This Senior Saturday, we celebrate with wise words from CO Conductor, Wayne Fanning: "Students who play music engage their entire mind and body in a way that nothing else can replicate. They think differently, and they care differently. As you move on to the other aspects of your life, you may not be able to play music daily if you are not majoring in music. However, I hope that you will continue to enjoy, advocate, support, and occasionally participate in music wherever you go."

Seniors - weʻre grateful for the dedication and passion you brought to HYS, and are proud to have been a part of your journey. We hope youʻll all stay in touch!