Tharanga Goonetilleke was born on March 1981 and is a soprano opera singer who was born in Badulla, Sri Lanka, but grew up in Ratmalana.
12 Facts About Tharanga Goonetilleke
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Tharanga Goonetilleke's singing ability was noticed by a music professor from Converse College while he was visiting Sri Lanka.
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Tharanga Goonetilleke is the first woman from Sri Lanka to attend the Juilliard School, one of the world's leading music schools.
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Tharanga Goonetilleke 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.
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Tharanga Goonetilleke's living expenses were covered by President's Fund of Sri Lanka.
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Tharanga Goonetilleke graduated from Juilliard with a Master of Music in Voice and Opera.
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In 1998, Tharanga Goonetilleke made her singing debut with the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka, after winning the SOSL concerto vocal competition in 1998.
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Tharanga Goonetilleke has performed in concerts in the United States, Europe, India, and South Korea.
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Tharanga Goonetilleke grew up in Ratmalana, Sri Lanka, near the capital Colombo.
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Tharanga Goonetilleke first became interested in opera when she was thirteen when she heard soprano Kiri Te Kanawa sing.
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Tharanga Goonetilleke had planned to study medical science in Sri Lanka, but to her surprise, when her father found out about the offer for her to attend Converse College, he thought it was a good idea.
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Tharanga Goonetilleke is married, has a daughter, and lives in New York City.