Big Island singers have the opportunity to watch and learn from classically trained, world-renowned performers with the Hawaiʻi International Music Festival from Sunday, Jan. 4, to Monday, Jan. 12.
Founded in 2016 by internationally acclaimed violinist Eric Silberger, soprano Amy Shoremount-Obra, and pianist Carlin Ma, the Hawaiʻi International Music Festival has been bringing concerts and workshops across the Big Island for nine seasons.
This year will also be the fourth season of the annual García School Vocal Workshop in Pāhala, which is dedicated to preserving the bel canto singing tradition popularized by legendary 19th-century pedagogue Manuel García.
Hawaiʻi International Music Festival began as a way to help strengthen the classical music landscape throughout Hawaiʻi. The experience reimagines the normal classical music concert into a community-driven, holistic arts experience.
As part of the García School Vocal Workshop, there will be a free public masterclass, “The Art of the Breath,” led by Metropolitan Opera soprano Shoremount-Obra with Maikaʻi Nash at the piano, starting at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at Christ Lutheran Church, 595 Kapiʻolani St., in Hilo.
The class is open to classical and musical theater singers of all ages and focuses on breath as the foundation of healthy, expressive singing. Local singers interested in participating may apply by emailing himusicfestival@gmail.com no later than Jan. 4, 2026.
Accepted singers must perform from memory and provide copies of their music. Attendance is open to the public, and spaces for performers will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
The festival also continues its collaboration with the Chamber Orchestra of Kona, including an orchestral concert and a public operatic reading session. Featuring a roster of distinguished local and international artists, performances and educational workshops will take place across the Big Island.
Kailua-Kona
- Chamber concert, featuring internationally acclaimed violinists Eric Silberger and Mann-Wen Lo and Hawaiʻi-based cellist Joshua Nakazawa
- 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6
- Kailua-Kona Public Library, 75-138 Hualālai Road
- Orchestral gala concert featuring trumpet virtuoso Farley Sangels, violinist Eric Silberger, soprano Amy Shoremount-Obra, mezzo-soprano Tammy Hensrud, tenor Morgan Manifacier, Volcano-based tenor Ian McMillan, and select García School singers
- In collaboration with the Chamber Orchestra of Kona
- 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11
- University of the Nations, 75-5851 Kuakini Highway
- Suggested donation of $20 to $40
- Free public operatic reading session with the Chamber Orchestra of Kona, featuring 7 García School singers and Hawaiʻi soprano Nadari Hockenhull
- Conducted by Eric Silberger and Yuxin Dai
- 5:45 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12
- Kona United Methodist Church, 74-4960 Palani Road
Hilo
- Chamber music concert featuring an award-winning ensemble with violinists Eric Silberger and Mann-Wen Lo, violist Duane Padilla, cellists Joshua Nakazawa and Jeffrey Li, and pianists Monica Chung and Jasmine Nagano
- Works by Schumann and Mendelssohn
- 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7
- Church of the Holy Apostles, 1407 Kapiʻolani Street
Kāʻu
- Concert featuring French tenor Morgan Manifacier; violinist Eric Silberger; Metropolitan Opera soprano Amy Shoremount-Obra; pianists Monica Chung and Maikaʻi Nash; dancer Anastassiya Neznanova; and emerging artists from the García School Vocal Workshop
- In collaboration with the South Hawaiʻi Symphony
- 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10
- Ocean View Community Center, 92-8924 Leilani Mauka Circle, Ocean View
- Tribute concert featuring chamber music, classical vocal selections, and musical theater performed by Eric Silberger, Amy Shoremount-Obra, Morgan Manifacier, mezzo-soprano Tammy Hensrud, pianists Monica Chung and Maikaʻi Nash, and singers from the García School Vocal Workshop
- Honoring longtime supporter and collaborator Julia Neal, titled For the Love of Music
- 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10
- Pāhala Plantation House, 96-3209 Maile St., Pāhala
- Tickets: $30, available online beginning Dec. 30
To learn more about the nonprofit and the upcoming festival, visit www.himusicfestival.org.
Photos:
1. Amy Shoremount-Obra, Soprano (credit: AnZart Photo)
2. Eric Silberger playing at the Thurston Lava Tube. (credit: Carlin Ma Photography)
3. A concert at the Pãhala Plantation House (credit: Carlin Ma Photography)