Since 2018, the Hawai‘i Chamber Music Festival (HCMF) has emerged as one of Hawai‘i’s leading cultural institutions, presenting world-class chamber music performances featuring internationally acclaimed artists from around the globe. Founded by Honolulu-born musician and arts leader Chris Yick, HCMF was built on a singular vision: to bring extraordinary classical music experiences home to Hawai‘i while cultivating the next generation of local artistic talent. Each year, the festival transforms concert halls and community spaces into vibrant centers of connection, inspiration, and artistic excellence—where audiences experience intimate performances of the highest caliber and young musicians collaborate directly with internationally renowned artists through mentorship, performance, and education.

At the heart of HCMF is the tuition-free Young Artist Program at La Pietra (YAP), an immersive and rigorous chamber music training program for Hawai‘i’s most promising string and piano students. By eliminating financial barriers entirely, YAP ensures that talented young musicians from across the islands have equitable access to transformative musical opportunities regardless of background or circumstance. Through intensive coachings, rehearsals, masterclasses, and side-by-side performances with world-class faculty and guest artists, students cultivate not only artistic excellence, but also discipline, confidence, leadership, and lifelong friendships rooted in collaboration and mutual respect.

In 2026, HCMF made its most significant investment in music education to date by appointing Dr. Yuseon Nam as the inaugural Director of YAP and relocating the program to Diamond Head’s Hawai‘i School for Girls at La Pietra, establishing a dynamic new long-term home for the program. YAP’s continued partnerships with leading institutions—including the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Masaki School of Music, and the University of Hawai‘i—further reflect HCMF’s enduring commitment to educational excellence and artistic innovation. Since its founding, YAP has served more than 120 students, many of whom have gone on to attend some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions, including Juilliard, Harvard, Yale, Vanderbilt, Indiana University, Northwestern University, UCLA, and the Colburn School.

Beyond the concert stage, HCMF remains deeply committed to serving Hawai‘i through meaningful community engagement and philanthropy year-round. The organization has partnered with numerous nonprofit and service organizations—including the Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation, Let Grace In, KUPU Hawai‘i, the Alzheimer’s Association Hawai‘i, HUGS (Help, Understanding & Group Support), and the Maui Strong Fund—to raise awareness, provide support, and bring the healing power of music to communities across the islands. In 2025 alone, HCMF participated in landmark community initiatives including the YWCA’s 125th Anniversary Celebration, Tutu’s Place Grand Opening, and the American Heart Association’s Heart Ball, while also launching its “Aloha Friday” performance series in partnership with the kūpuna community at Kāhala Nui. Upcoming initiatives include the launch of Hele Mele and the Renaissance Crescendo Series, further expanding the festival’s impact across Hawai‘i.

HCMF’s influence also extends through strong partnerships with local businesses, venues, and community organizations, reinforcing its identity as a homegrown cultural force dedicated to uplifting and investing in the community it serves.

Since 2023, internationally acclaimed violinist Stefan Jackiw has served as Artistic Director, ushering in a bold new era of artistic vision, innovation, and international recognition for the festival. Guided by an unwavering commitment to artistic excellence, accessibility, education, and community, the Hawai‘i Chamber Music Festival harnesses the transformative power of music to inspire, unite, and celebrate the people of Hawai‘i. More than a festival, HCMF is a community built for Hawai‘i, by Hawai‘i.

HCMF is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

EIN: 83-1843340