Diane Koshi

Diane Sunada Koshi, founder and artistic director, holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and certifications in Kodály Methodolgy, Orff-Schulwerk, Drums Alive, and Music Mind Games. She has been active in the music industry and music education for over thirty years.

 

Ms. Koshi founded La Sorellanza to fill a gap in the community: a safe space for women to join in song. From her years of experiences in the music and choral communities, she believes everyone can sing, and structures her directorial style in La Sorellanza to meet people where they are, reinforcing basics and fine tuning advanced techniques as needed for the choir’s current composition. Under her leadership, La Sorellanza’s membership are empowered to develop themselves and support each other.

 

Some of Ms. Koshi’s experience is listed below (current work is italicized).

 

Founder/Music Director

• Luminaria, a group founded to sing about social and justice issues under HI Arts Lab.

• Honolulu Madrigal Quartet and Madrigal Chamber Quarter, specializing in renaissance-costumed, strolling singers

 

Children & Youth

• Conducted Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus ensembles

• Hawaii Opera Theater mainstage production children’s choruses (20 seasons)

• St. Andrew’s Priory School for Girls Director of Choirs and Music Department Chair

• Mid-Pacific Institute Choir Director and Founder

• All-State High School Honor Choir Festivals Co-Chair

• Pacific Rim Children’s Choral Festival staff

 

Boards & Associations

• Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards Board of Governors

• American Choral Directors Association member

• Sigma Alpha Iota lifetime member (a professional, international fraternity for women in music)

• Repertoire & Standards Committee chairperson for Women’s Choirs

• Chorus America member

• Music Educators National Conference member

 

Performer

• Hawaii Opera Theater’s Opera Chorus

• Kawaiolaonāpūkanileo, a Hawaiian a cappella ensemble

• Hālau Hula Ka No‘eau

• Nā Hōkū Hanohano (Hawaiian Grammy Awards) award-winning producer of Hawaiian music