Dr. Michael-Thomas Foumai (b. 1987, Honolulu, Hawai'i) is the Director of Artistic Engagement and the inaugural Susan Kosasa Composer in Residence for the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra. His music has been described as "vibrant and cinematic" by The New York Times and "full of color, drama, and emotion" by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. His extensive catalog includes symphonic works ranging from commercial arrangements to avant-garde compositions, all of which reflect the culture of his home in Hawai'i. In 2019, Dr. Foumai was selected as part of the 17th class of the Pacific Century Fellows, a group of 35 exceptional young leaders representing a diverse range of professions in Hawai'i, including government, business, the arts, and non-profit enterprises. He has also received a Certificate of Recognition from the Mayor of Honolulu and a proclamation from the State Senate of Hawai'i.

In the 2023-24 season, performances of Dr. Foumai’s music included the world premiere of "Children of Gods" with conductor Dane Lam and the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra, as well as the premieres of "From the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame" and "O Kuʻu Āina Aloha" (Of My Beloved Land) with conductor Sarah Hicks and the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. Recent performances of Dr. Foumai's arrangements include works by Florence Price, such as "A Song for Solo Piano and Orchestra," and orchestrations of "Night" and "Song to the Dark Virgin," commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic for the "Rock My Soul" series, which was curated by soprano Julia Bullock and conducted by Lidiya Yankovskaya. The 2022-23 season featured the world premieres of "Defending Kalo," for violin and harp, "Breath Water Spirit," for cello and piano, and "Living Pono," a harp concerto for the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra conducted by José-Luis Novo. Other highlights include performances with John Devlin leading the Louisville Orchestra, Sarasota Orchestra, and Alexandria Symphony, as well as with Hans Graf and the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Foumai's recent projects have focused on issues and stories pertinent to the people of Hawai'i. "Raise Hawaiki," a large-scale choral-symphony based on the Polynesian voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa, was commissioned by the Wallace, Elizabeth, and Isabella Wong Family Foundation to celebrate Hōkūleʻa's return from its three-year worldwide voyage, Mālama Honua. This historic world premiere featured the words of Nainoa Thompson, Eddie Aikau, and Mau Piailug and brought together ten institutions for an unprecedented collaboration, including the Polynesian Voyaging Society, the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra, Oʻahu Choral Society, and various community choirs and organizations. His work on the collaborative educational multimedia production "Symphony of the Hawaiian Birds" was developed in partnership with the University of Hawai'i, Bishop Museum, and the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra. This project brought together six local composers with animators and environmentalists to create music and environmental curriculum for schoolchildren across the state, emphasizing awareness of extinct and endangered Hawaiian bird species, with Dr. Foumai composing music for the final movement. The project "Symphony of the Hawaiian Forests" followed in 2023.

Continuing his collaboration with the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Foumai arranged several works for string orchestra as part of the organization's "Sounds of Resilience" concert series, which was livestreamed from the historic Hawai'i Theatre. From May to August 2021, the HSO performed seven works and new arrangements of Hawaiian mele during the inaugural 2021 Sheraton Starlight Series at the Waikīkī Shell. Collaborating conductors included Rei Hotoda, Lidiya Yankovskaya, Sarah Hicks, and JoAnn Falletta. As an arranger, Dr. Foumai has composed for various guest artists, including Yo-Yo Ma, Grammy Award nominees Robert Cazimero, Amy Hānaialiʻi, Raiatea Helm, The Mākaha Sons, and many others.