Native Hawaiian soprano Tasha Hokuao Koontz is widely recognized for her powerful lyric voice and compelling stage presence.
Opera debuts and returning roles
She has been praised for her “accurate, powerful voice” by Broadway World, her “sumptuous, gleaming lyric instrument” by Parterre Box, and her “secure silvery high notes” by Opera Wire.
In recent seasons, Koontz has appeared with leading opera companies and orchestras across the United States and internationally. In 2024, she made her South American debut singing the title role of Tosca with Ópera Nacional de Chile. That same year, she made history as the first Native Hawaiian woman to appear on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera, making her company debut in Osvaldo Golijov’s Ainadamar.
A frequent collaborator with San Diego Opera, Koontz has performed a wide range of roles including Donna Anna (Don Giovanni), Nella (Gianni Schicchi), Suor Genovieffa (Suor Angelica), Annina (La Traviata), Frasquita (Carmen), Edith (Pirates of Penzance), and the High Priestess (Aïda). Her portrayal of Donna Anna was described by San Diego Reader as “excellent,” noting both the beauty and dramatic authority of her voice. In 2026, she returns to San Diego Opera to make her role debut as Berta in The Barber of Seville under the baton of Yves Abel.
sumptuous, gleaming lyric instrumentParterre Box
New works and the concert stage
Koontz is equally committed to contemporary opera and the creation of new works. She originated the role of Frida Image 1 in the world premiere of Gabriela Lena Frank’s El último sueño de Frida y Diego and has appeared in multiple world premieres and workshops, including Her New Home by Polina Nazaykinskaya and Konstantin Soukhovetski. She is a regular participant in the Del Mar International Composers’ Symposium, where she collaborates with living composers on newly written vocal works.
On the concert stage, Koontz has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Riccardo Muti, the San Diego Symphony, La Jolla Symphony & Chorus, Helena Symphony, Glacier Symphony Orchestra, and numerous regional orchestras. Her repertoire includes major works such as Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem, Mahler’s Fourth Symphony, Strauss’ Four Last Songs, Handel’s Messiah, and Poulenc’s Gloria.
Musical formation
Koontz holds a Master of Music degree from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, where she studied with Carol Vaness, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Northwestern University.
