Tharanga Goonetilleke

Tharanga Goonetilleke (born March 1981) is a soprano opera singer who was born in Badulla, Sri Lanka, but grew up in Ratmalana. Her singing ability was noticed by a music professor from Converse College while he was visiting Sri Lanka. She is the first woman from Sri Lanka to attend the Juilliard School, one of the world's leading music schools. She lives in New York City, and her career in opera has received international attention.

Education Goonetilleke began learning to sing in Sri Lanka at the age of 12 under the training of Christine Perera. She began attending Converse College in South Carolina in 2001 and graduated in 2005 with Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance and a minor in biology.

Representing South Carolina, she entered the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and won. Her living expenses were covered by President's Fund of Sri Lanka. and has since performed in numerous operas such as Il trittico, Dialogues of the Carmelites, La bohème, Die Zauberflöte, Iphigénie en Aulide, and Ariodante. She has also performed in concerts in the United States, Europe, India, and South Korea. Goonetilleke is married, has a daughter, and lives in New York City.