The Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra has appointed Brisbane-born conductor Dane Lam as its first Music Director in a decade. Lam will provide the 84-member orchestra with overall creative leadership and function as its chief artistic director.

The announcement follows guest appearances with the HSO last year, and caps off a busy 12 months during which Lam also served as Opera Queensland’s Associate Music Director & Resident Conductor, as well as making his Australian Ballet debut conducting performances of Kunstkamer.

Dane Lam. Photo supplied

HSO President & CEO Dave Moss said, “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. 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.”

Speaking to Limelight from Honolulu, Lam says the move won’t be a difficult one. “As a proud Queenslander and sunshine lover, I felt immediately at home when I first...