The Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra (HSO) has appointed Dane Lam as the New Music Director.

The Australian conductor took to Twitter to announce the news, stating, “I am thrilled to be joining the magnificent Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra as their next Music Director. I can’t wait to see all we’ll achieve together in imagining “what does an orchestra mean in Hawai’i in the Twenty First Century?” Mahalo nui loa.”

In his new position, Lam will provide the 84-member orchestra with overall creative leadership and function as its chief artistic director. He will commence his tenure in July 2023.

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.

In a statement, 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.”

Lam made his debut with the HSO in March last year and returned in October for a second concert.