Canadian-Chinese coloratura soprano Sharleen Joynt has been praised for her "silvery, sparkling, substantial and resonant soprano" (Die Deutsche Bühne), her "scintillating high range, reminiscent of the most beautiful moments of Mady Mesplé" (Opernwelt), and "an artistic command that leaves the listener breathless" (Deutschland Radio). Sharleen’s 2025/26 season includes concerts with Classical Tahoe, Handel’s Messiah with Grand Philharmonic Orchestra, and both performing and recording of role of Kitty in Menotti’s The Last Savage with Odyssey Opera and Boston Modern Opera Project.

Sharleen’s 2024/25 engagements included her “unforgettable” (SGN) and “electrifying” (The Seattle Times) Queen of the Night in Barrie Kosky’s production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute with Seattle Opera. The season also brought her Irish debut with Wexford Festival Opera as the Prima Donna in Donizetti’s Le convenienze ed inconvenienze teatrali, with critics praising her “superb technique with great comic timing” (The Guardian) and “brilliant, sparkling coloratura.” (OperaWire) She also recently had her “stunning” (ResMusica) French debut as Cunégonde in Candide with Opéra National de Lyon, critics hailing her a “formidable discovery” (Bachtrack) and “a revelation.” (Forum Opera)

Other recent operatic highlights include Gilda in Verdi’s Rigoletto (Opera Colorado, Florida Grand Opera, Edmonton Opera), Morgana in Handel’s Alcina (Seattle Opera), and Musetta in Puccini’s La bohème (Vancouver Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria). Her signature role of Cunégonde in Candide has been praised as “unparalleled” (Art Intercepts) and “show-stopping” (The Berkshire Edge), and has brought her to the stages of the Tanglewood Music Festival, Ravinia Music Festival, Anchorage Opera, and Orlando Philharmonic.

Known for her ability to “navigate high, delicate, and very difficult vocal writing” (Schmopera), Sharleen is equally at home in contemporary repertoire. Her Controller in Jonathan Dove’s Flight, both with Seattle Opera and Pacific Opera Victoria, has been called “a glittering tour de force.” (Musical America) She sang the role of Christine in the North American Premiere of Belgian composer Philippe Boesmans’ Julie, in a co-production with Canadian Stage and Soundstreams, where she was praised for her “extraordinary skill and fierce coloratura.” (Opera Canada) Her Opera Philadelphia debut brought her “pure, glinting soprano” (Opera Today) to the role of Winnie in Lembit Beecher’s Sky on Swings, starring Frederica von Stade. Her critically acclaimed Soprano 1/Ariadne in Wolfgang Rihm’s Dionysos at the Theater und Orchester Heidelberg earned her nominations for  the Nachwunschsängerin award (Singer of the Year), awarded by Opernwelt magazine, and the prestigious “Der Faust” prize, awarded by the German Stage Association.

In concert, highlights include Glière’s Concerto for Coloratura, Op. 82 (Guelph Symphony), Handel’s Messiah (Charleston Symphony), Howard Goodall’s Eternal Light requiem (Bach Society of St. Louis), and Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 (Thunder Bay Symphony), as well as New Year’s Galas with the Hong Kong Philharmonic.

Sharleen holds a Bachelor and Master of Music from New School University’s Mannes College of Music. In addition to singing, Sharleen co-hosts the popular relationship podcast Dear Shandy and is known for using her platform to introduce new audiences to opera. She resides in New York City.

March 2026
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