The Mother Louise Henriette Performing Arts Center, a $10 million project, is the new home for the school's performing arts classes. After a year of extended anticipation and construction, students and teachers have state-of-the-art dance, choral and band facilities.

“;Last year, the Concert Band was in separate class periods in a much smaller room, so we spent most of our time together trying to play in unison rather than trying to perfect a piece,”; senior Alyssa Tenn said. “;The spacious room now accommodates all four levels of Concert Band into one class period, making it is easier to hear what we sound like as a large group.”;

Choir, band and dance students had similar opinions about how the lack of space in the past hindered students from performing their best.

“;Since everyone was so close to each other, sopranos and altos often became confused,”; eighth-grader Shelby Kaneshiro said. “;Now that the room is about four times the size it previously was, our choir director can separate us into smaller groups and gives us more one-on-one attention,”;

The new facility is not only equipped with larger practice areas, but many innovative features as well, with a focus on enhancing acoustics in the music rooms.

“;The sound-absorbing panels balance the sound waves while the directional cones transfer sounds from various locations of the room, enabling groups to hear one another,”; sophomore Victoria Hee said. “;The slanted ceiling also helps the sounds flow throughout. These acoustical considerations help band and choral members balance their volume and tempo.”;

Junior Lacy Tsutsuse said, “;Mr. Martin, our band director, said the acoustics are a lesson in physics for each of us.”;

For dance students, a professional atmosphere gets them excited to perform.

“;We love our dance studio: a sprung floor to make it safer for us to dance, mirrors all across one side of the room and changing rooms to make it more convenient to dress for class,”; junior Cathy Lee said.

Kumu hula Pohai Souza agreed.

“;Being told what they look like and actually seeing it for themselves are two different things,”; Souza said. “;The mirrors help the girls check their facial expression and understand if their hips and hands are moving in unison with others in the class.”;

Senior Alexis Hazelwood said: “;After three years in choir, housed in the auditorium's small backstage dressing room, I opted out of the class during my senior year. Now with these fantastic facilities, I am a bit sad about my decision.”;