HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Hawaiʻi Youth Opera Chorus (HYOC), founded in 1961, is one of Hawaiʻi’s most treasured educational programs. It offers children a chance to learn music, make lifelong friends and connect with Hawaiʻi’s cultural heritage.
Under the guidance of dedicated leaders like Malia Kaai-Barrett, president of HYOC, this organization has been nurturing young voices and minds for more than 60 years.
HYOC began as a response to the Hawaiʻi Opera Theater’s need for a keiki chorus in its production of “La Bohème.”
More than 200 students from the islands auditioned and showed the show runners there was a clear demand for a youth chorus. So, the Honolulu Children’s Opera Chorus was born, which would later become the HYOC that many know and love today.
“Our organization is now in its 64th season,” Kaai-Barrett said, noting that the program has expanded significantly over the years.
On Saturday, Aug. 31, your keiki has the opportunity to join the fun!
A chorus for all ages and abilities
Originally, HYOC served students in grades 4 through 8; but in the early 1990s, it expanded to include students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
“We are Hawaii’s longest-running and most advanced children and youth choir, with a heavy emphasis on music education,” Kaai-Barrett explained.
From music theory and ear training to learning the languages and cultures behind the songs, HYOC provides an immersive and broad musical education.
The program’s diverse repertoire includes songs in many languages, such as ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, French, Italian, Latin, German and Russian. Children learn to perform a variety of music, from opera and classical pieces to folk songs from around the world.
“We always keep in our choir the choral classic standards,” Kaai-Barrett said, emphasizing the rich and varied musical journey the students undertake.
More than just singing
Kaai-Barrett highlighted the extensive educational benefits that come from being part of HYOC.
“We believe that anyone can learn to sing,” she said, stressing that singing is a learned skill, not an innate talent.
Even students who struggle to match pitch at first are given the tools and training to improve through consistent practice and the support of their peers.
Beyond developing musical skills, HYOC aims to build the whole child.
“Music builds synapses in the brain, making the right and left sides work together,” Kaai-Barrett explained.
This holistic development extends beyond music, helping students improve their skills in other academic areas such as math, language arts and even public speaking.
Kaai-Barrett said many parents have reported seeing their children grow in confidence and competence, particularly in areas like sequential learning and presentation skills.
“They become naturally competent in sequential learning and presentation,” Kaai-Barrett said, adding that music education helps children understand how different concepts connect, which is valuable in all areas of life.
Embracing Hawaiʻi’s culture
One of the most significant aspects of HYOC is its commitment to Native Hawaiian culture. While not exclusively a Native Hawaiian organization, HYOC includes a strong focus on Native Hawaiian music, values and traditions.
“Every time we leave these islands, there is an expectation to hear the music of Hawaii,” Kaai-Barrett noted.
The choir often includes hula in its performances, using the dance to teach students about rhythm, posture, and physical expression.
“We use hula to teach poise, rhythm, and expression,” Kaai-Barrett said. The goal is not to replace a traditional hula hālau experience but to offer students a meaningful way to connect movement with music.
Families new to Hawaii often express their gratitude for the opportunity to learn about the islands’ cultures through HYOC.
“It’s a very deep and rich integration,” Kaai-Barrett said. Beyond Hawaiian music, students also have opportunities to explore dances and songs from other cultures, enriching their understanding of global traditions.
Opportunities beyond O‘ahu
While HYOC is based on O‘ahu, the chorus has found creative ways to extend its reach beyond the island. During the COVID-19 pandemic, HYOC transitioned to online rehearsals, allowing students from across the continental U.S. to participate.
“We had students zooming in from Indiana, California, Washington State, Boston, and Texas,” Kaai-Barrett recalled. Although virtual singing presented challenges, it also allowed HYOC to share Hawaiian music with a broader audience.
HYOC also offers summer programs, including the creation of original operas based on Hawaiian legends and other local stories.
This summer, the chorus plans to present an opera based on Maui’s mo‘o (dragons) with magical powers, with performances on both O‘ahu and Maui. These summer programs attract students from other islands and even the mainland, providing an intensive musical experience that transcends geography.
Making music affordable for all
Despite the breadth of opportunities it offers, HYOC strives to keep its programs accessible and affordable. Tuition varies depending on the student’s age and the length of rehearsal time, ranging from about $290 to $490 per semester.
Scholarships and payment plans are available to families in need.
“We do our best to support anyone who is in need fiscally,” Kaai-Barrett said, underscoring HYOC’s commitment to ensuring that financial barriers don’t prevent children from joining.
HYOC’s dedication to music education, cultural immersion, and personal development makes it a standout program in Hawaii. From its focus on classical choral standards to its deep integration of Hawaiian culture, HYOC offers a unique and enriching experience for young singers.
As Kaai-Barrett put it, “We are here because of the relationships, the magic of music, and the joy of watching students grow.”
Your keiki can join HYOC since they are in the process of enrolling students in grades K-12 for the fall semester of its 64th season.
Open to singers of all levels, HYOC offers a chance to make friends, build music and performance skills and enjoy singing together.
Rehearsals take place Saturday mornings at the University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa Music Department, with classes running through December. No experience needed, and students can attend a few sessions to see if it’s a good fit.
Click here for more information and to enroll.
Whether they are singing in Hawaiian, learning a French folk song, or perfecting their posture through hula, HYOC students gain much more than just musical skills.
They become part of a community that values heritage, education, and the joy of shared performance—a community that has inspired generations of young locals and will continue to do so for years to come.