OPERAtunities - HYOC's landmark youth opera program
HYOC has commissioned nine opera's composed specifically for youth performers. Themes are all Hawaii based. All roles are portrayed by student performers keeping in mind their abilities, stamina, range and thematically appropriate for youth performers.
Each season HYOC produces a youth opera with its students.
Operas commissioned by HYOC:
Kahalaopuna by Neil McKay 1995
La`ieikawai: Princess of Paliuli by Neil McKay 1996
Auli'i: the Last Menehune of Nu'uanu Valley. Herb Mahelona 1998
Na `Uhane: Ancestor Stories. Herb Mahelona 1999
Ka`ililauokekoa by Bertran Moon 2007
The Ulu Tree: Plantation Stories by Herb Mahelona 2012
Emalani by Herb Mahelona; Part One 2013, Part Two 2014
Nani Na Pua by Herb Mahelona 2018
Each season HYOC produces a youth opera with its students.
Operas commissioned by HYOC:
Kahalaopuna by Neil McKay 1995
La`ieikawai: Princess of Paliuli by Neil McKay 1996
Auli'i: the Last Menehune of Nu'uanu Valley. Herb Mahelona 1998
Na `Uhane: Ancestor Stories. Herb Mahelona 1999
Ka`ililauokekoa by Bertran Moon 2007
The Ulu Tree: Plantation Stories by Herb Mahelona 2012
Emalani by Herb Mahelona; Part One 2013, Part Two 2014
Nani Na Pua by Herb Mahelona 2018
"Nani Na Pua" - Tribute to Liliuokalani
by Herb Mahelona, native hawaiian composer
Debut March 31, 2018
Washington Place
OPERAtunities 2018
Gilbert & Sullivan's "The Mikado"
4 week summer intensive youth opera program
June 4-29, 2018
Amahl and the Night Visitors
Friday December 14, 2018
Grand Opera Stage
Since 1961, HYOC has been partnering with the Hawaii Opera Theater to provide children for the grand opera stage in singing or non singing roles.
Our most recent appearance with HOT was in Carmen in October 2016.
Our most recent appearance with HOT was in Carmen in October 2016.
Carmen 2017 - presented by the Hawaii Opera Theater
La Boheme October 2016 - presented by the Hawaii Opera Theater
HYOC's Students as Fairies, in HOT's production of Benjamin Britten's "Midsummer's Night Dream" are delightful!

Britten included as a lead role the fairy chorus, performed by the excellent Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus, directed by Nola Nahulu. The fairies arrived in fantastical costumes in a riot of color, with wigs and wings in all manner of styles, each carrying a single lit candle. Their sweet, natural voices were beautifully shaped and were a highlight each time they appeared. Review appeared in the Honolulu Star Advertiser on Sunday 2/14/16 written by Ruth Bingham. Read the entire review here.