Did you know that the vision of our parent organization, Hawai‘i Youth Symphony, is a Hawai‘i where music is a right for all keiki? Naturally, we at PMI, too, believe that music education should be accessible to every passionate young musician, regardless of their financial circumstances. However, the true cost of providing high-quality music education, which we strive to do each summer, is often hidden from view.
“What does a Hawai‘i where music is a right look like? One answer: The Pacific Music Institute.” -Randy Wong, HYS President & CEO
The Truth About Tuition
Many people are surprised to learn that the tuition we charge covers only 50% of the actual expenses required to run our week-long music intensive. This means that, for every student who joins our institute, we’re subsidizing their education with additional funding from donations, grants, and community support.
Breaking Down the Costs
At PMI, we are proud of our commitment to musical excellence! We offer our keiki:
- Small and large ensemble experiences
- Access to world-renowned music faculty from Hawai‘i and beyond
- Seminars featuring engaging topics beyond music theory
- A variety of performance opportunities
- And more!
In addition, though we’re physically located on O‘ahu, our local students hail from across the state! We love being able to offer student housing options, allowing them to attend PMI regardless of their location, and have new experiences they may not have had otherwise.
Our Mission as a Nonprofit
As a nonprofit organization, our primary goal isn’t financial profit—it’s to provide premier musical experiences here in Hawai‘i for young musicians. Hawai‘i Youth Symphony’s mission is to foster fun and creative experiences for youth that inspire a deep appreciation for music and lifelong relationships within the culture of our islands. We’re dedicated to ensuring that students have the opportunity to explore, learn, and excel in music, regardless of their financial background. This is why we are happy to offer need-based financial aid to local students, lowering the barrier to entry for our programs.
Why This Matters
Music isn’t just about learning an instrument. It’s about building confidence, developing discipline, creating a lifelong appreciation for the arts, growing community, and providing an outlet for creativity and expression.
PMI and HYS alumnus, Tristan Toma, returned to PMI 2024 as a teaching fellow with NOI+F. Reflecting upon his musical journey thus far, he notes that “programs such as PMI are important for young musicians for several reasons: high-quality instruction and mentorship from experienced professionals, performance opportunities, and a sense of community and networking with fellow musicians are all reasons why programs such as PMI are relevant for young musicians.”
And while not all our students will go on to become professional musicians or have careers in the arts, Mr. Toma comments on the bigger-picture impact music education has on our students. “Their creativity and enthusiasm remind me of the incredible ways in which music can transform lives and connect people.”
While it’s impossible to put a price tag on our students’ takeaways from PMI, your support allows us to make PMI a reality. By making a donation, spreading the word about our program, or even liking and sharing our social media posts, you become a critical part of our community and help us continue providing transformative musical education to students in Hawai‘i.
“PMI bridges the opportunity gap felt by Hawaiʻi’s youth, transforming lives during the critical middle and high school years,” says our President & CEO Randy Wong, himself an alumnus of HYS & PMI. “Investing in youth is not just a social good—it’s a forward-thinking commitment to a thriving future for our communities and region.”
Every dollar donated helps us bridge the gap between tuition and the true cost of our program. Together, we can ensure that music remains a powerful, accessible form of education and personal expression for students in our community.