Native Hawaiian soprano Tasha Hokuao Koontz has been lauded by Parterre Box for possessing a “sumptuous, gleaming instrument in her hauntingly beautiful and provocative scene. Hearing her timbrally rich and even singing makes one hope that this soprano of promise can grow into a Verdian of distinction.” Broadway World describes her as lending her “accurate and powerful voice to a gallery of leading operatic ladies,” and Opera Wire praises her for her “secure, silvery high notes.”
Tasha Koontz is an artist garnering attention from coast to coast and internationally. Equally comfortable on the concert stage, she has performed as a soloist with a long list of symphonies and chamber orchestras. Tasha is the first native Hawaiian soprano to have sung at the Metropolitan Opera. In 2026, she debuted the role of Hana Hooper Ha’alilio in the world premiere of “The Sheltering Tree” with Hawai’i Opera Theatre.
Other recent debuts include the role of Berta in “The Barber of Seville” with San Diego Opera, “Fire Flowers,” a song cycle by Jordan Kuspa, and Tosca with the Opera Nacional de Chile.
IN THIS EPISODE
■ The joy of premiering a role with the opera company of one’s native land
■ Tasha’s decision to move back home to San Diego
■ Changes that are happening with Opera in the United States
■ Understanding what your body needs that day... Tasha’s incredible definition of technique
■ Being malleable enough in your thinking that you can let your body do its job
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LEARN MORE ABOUT TASHA
Website:
IG: @tashakoontzsoprano
𝐄𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩? 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰:
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🎶 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜?!
It’s from my debut album, Whitewater from The Whitewater Suite, III. Essence
Take a listen on Spotify or Apple Music
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