Dane Lam

Music & Artistic Director

2023 - 2028

meet the music & Artistic director

Chinese-Australian conductor Dane Lam is Music & Artistic Director of the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra (assuming the post of Music Director in July 2023) and Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the Xi’an Symphony Orchestra.

Born in Brisbane, Australia to an Australian mother and a Singaporean-Chinese father, Dane played piano, clarinet, and saxophone as a child, and studied conducting under Gwyn Roberts at the University of Queensland.

He was the first conductor in the history of Opera Queensland to be honoured with an official position when he was appointed their Associate Music Director and Resident Conductor in December 2020.

— Dane Lam, Music & Artistic Director

“As a musician and a proud child of the Pacific, I am humbled to be chosen as Music Director of your Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra’s history is long and storied and speaks of a community that has an innate appreciation of music’s role in bringing us together.

I am inspired by the HSO’s recent history and the rebuilding of the organisation by a committed supporters in the face of immense challenges. Today we are proud to be the vibrant, thriving orchestra that serves all of Hawai’i. This a group of musicians who are committed to Hawai’i and its people, committed to all of you.

Coming into this role I want to thank my esteemed colleague HSO Artistic Advisor, JoAnn Falletta, who has expertly and lovingly stewarded the orchestra until now. I am excited to work hand-in-hand with President and CEO, Dave Moss, the HSO Board chaired by Paul Kosasa, all the HSO staff and, of course, the musicians, to lead your HSO into its next exhilarating chapter. ”

  • — Paul Kosasa, Board Chair

    “It was clear from the start that Dane and the symphony shared the same vision in growing what an orchestra can mean to its community.

    His forward-thinking personality builds on the vision and commitment of our symphony as fiscally sound, artistically innovative, and a cultural pillar of our community. Dane’s curiosity, his creativity, and his willingness to ask ‘what is next?’ will strengthen our commitment to excellence and access, and guarantee an exciting journey and future for the HSO.”

  • — Dave Moss, President & CEO (2020-2023)

    “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 mean for our identity as a Pacific people.”