Students at Pacific Music Institute learn a wealth of musical lessons, from form to tone and so much more. On top of technical and musical instruction, pushing the boundaries of our students’ comfort zones is a benefit they claim to be extremely beneficial to their individual growth. Pacific Music Institute is a safe place for our students to stretch beyond their comfort levels, all in just one week. Let’s break down the different ways PMI’s keiki experience new things.
Exploring Beyond Classical
Yes, classical music is amazing – it’s like learning the ABCs of music. But we love the magic that happens when we encourage our young musicians to try something new! Picture a student discovering the joy of making up their own jazz melodies or jamming to today’s hits. These musical adventures do more than just expand their playlist – they open doors to understanding how people around the world tell their stories through music.
2024 Freestyle String Ensemble conductor, Duane Padilla, shares that “in today’s fast changing multicultural musical environment, it is no longer enough for the next generation of musicians to simply be masters of the western classical music canon in orchestra or chamber music settings.” When kids step out of their comfort zone, whether it’s watching a classical violinist try their hand at folk fiddle or seeing a piano student groove with a jazz band, they learn to trust their instincts and let their creativity shine. Best of all, these brave musical explorations help build confidence that spills over into everything else they do. They become not just better musicians, but more confident, flexible people who aren’t afraid to try new things and see the world from different angles.
This is why we offer a range of opportunities at PMI, like Jazz Intensive and ‘Ukulele Workshop. In 2024, Strings Program students could participate in Freestyle String Ensemble, taking the focus away from traditional symphonic playing. All our Strings Program and Winds, Brass, and Percussion Program students participate in large AND small ensembles, which allow new opportunities to play in different types of ensembles, as well as open the door for more musical styles and genres. Across our concert programs, you’ll see a great variety of ensemble sizes, types, and musical genres – all pointing to this diversity that pushes our students to experience new things they may not have access to during the normal year.
Intensive Rehearsals
There’s something truly special about what happens when young musicians dive into a week of intensive rehearsals. It’s more than just extra practice time – it’s like stepping into a musical pressure cooker where growth happens at lightning speed! Students who might be used to hour-long practice sessions suddenly find themselves immersed in half and full days of making music, pushing through challenges they never thought they could tackle. In these focused sessions, they learn to dig deeper into difficult passages, build stamina they didn’t know they had, and discover what it really means to be part of an ensemble. We see shy students finding their confidence to lead a section, perfectionists learning to bounce back from mistakes, and individual players transforming into team players who breathe and move as one. These intensive weeks create the kind of growth that usually takes months – not just in musical skills, but in perseverance, time management, and the ability to perform under pressure. When students emerge from this musical marathon, they carry with them a new understanding of just how much they’re capable of achieving when they push beyond their comfort zone.
Performance Opportunities
From intimate chamber music performances at community gatherings to expansive auditoriums, each performance opportunity at PMI offers students a chance to spread their wings in new and exciting ways. Picture a young violinist who starts the summer feeling nervous about playing with only three others on stage, then finds their confidence through a progression of experiences – first performing for an intimate masterclass, then in a retirement community, and finally taking center stage in the McKinley High School auditorium. Every different setting brings its own beautiful challenge: chamber music teaches students to lead and listen in equal measure, large ensemble performances help them feel the thrill of being part of something bigger than themselves, and casual community concerts let them connect directly with audiences in meaningful ways.
Many of our past PMI participants share that their favorite part of PMI was performing with their various ensembles. One student in particular said that “I was quite nervous, but all the practicing and support helped me have a lot of fun.” We love watching students discover in safe spaces that performing isn’t just about perfection – it’s about sharing your musical story with others. By the end of their time with us, these young musicians aren’t just more polished performers; they’ve become more confident communicators who know how to handle butterflies, support their fellow musicians, and share their passion with any audience.
Expanding Social Bubbles
One of the most magical parts of PMI is watching friendships bloom across city lines, ocean waves, and even continents! When students arrive from different schools, islands, states, and countries, they bring with them unique perspectives, playing styles, and musical traditions that create an amazing tapestry of experience. A cellist from Maui might find themselves rehearsing next to a violinist from Washington, while a local pianist discovers they share favorite pieces with someone from Hawai‘i Island. These connections go far beyond just making new friends – they open students’ eyes to different ways of approaching music and life.
Our dorming option offers another way for students to break out of their comfort zones. “Being in the boarding program,” a past PMI student explains, “I feel it’s a good introduction to what college is like. [I appreciated] learning how to dorm and understanding how time management works.” Boarding while managing an intensive rehearsal schedule truly teaches students how to be responsible adults, all while introducing the joys of making new friends.
Best of all, these friendships don’t end when summer does – our students head home with a new network of fellow music lovers who continue to inspire and encourage each other’s growth. It’s heartwarming to see how music breaks down barriers and helps young people realize they’re part of something much bigger than their own community.
Discovering Potential
At Pacific Music Institute, stepping beyond comfort zones isn’t just about becoming better musicians – it’s about helping our keiki discover their full potential. Through intensive rehearsals, diverse performance opportunities, exploration beyond classical repertoire, and meaningful connections with peers from around the world, our students emerge transformed.
“PMI is about more than just music,” describes PMI General Manager Jeremy Lawi. “It provides students, throughout the entire state and beyond, with unique opportunities and experiences that help them to grow as people and succeed—both in and out of the rehearsal room. It’s inspiring to see a diverse student body come together, form new friendships, and perform music at such a high level.”
We love seeing students leave our program with more than stronger technical skills and expanded musical horizons; they carry with them newfound confidence, lifelong friendships, and the invaluable knowledge that growth happens when we dare to embrace challenges. As we watch our students take their final bows each summer, we see more than accomplished musicians – we see young individuals who have learned to believe in themselves, support others, and approach new experiences with curiosity and courage.
If you’re ready to step outside your comfort zone at PMI 2025, be sure to sign up for our email list.