Dr. Marika Kyriakos

Professor of Voice

Interim Chair of Theatre

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Education

• D.M.A., University of Texas-Austin
• M.M., University of Missouri-Columbia
• B.M., University of Missouri-Kansas City

Teaching Specialties

• Applied Voice
• Lyric Diction
• Opera Direction

Research Interests

• Vocal Performance/Vocal Health
• Greek Vocal Literature
• Lyric Diction
• Body Movement/The Singing Actor
• Clairières dans le ciel by Lili Boulanger

Affiliations

• American College of Musicians
• College Music Society
• Mu Phi Epsilon Professional Music Fraternity
• Music Teachers National Association
• National Association of Teachers of Singing
• National Federation of Music Clubs (Treble Clef Club)
• National Guild of Piano Teachers (Board of Judges)
• Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society
• Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society

Curriculum Vitae

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Biography

Lyric coloratura, Marika Kyriakos joined the music faculty at Arkansas State University in 2008 as Coordinator of Voice and Director of the A-State Opera Theatre. Currently, Kyriakos serves as Interim Chair of the Department of Theatre while fulfilling teaching responsibilities in the Music Department as Professor of Voice. Past administrative work at A-State includes Chair of the Department of Music, Assistant Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Communication, and Director of Fowler Center.

Both a singer and pianist, Kyriakos completed her Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Vocal Performance at the University of Texas at Austin. She has served as musical director in collaboration with the Department of Theatre productions, and as collaborative pianist for both opera and musical theatre. Aside from teaching, her favorite venture involves studying and performing abroad. For three seasons, she taught voice and performed at the OperaMaya summer festival in the Mayan Riviera of Mexico. Kyriakos works diligently to enable students to accompany her on these foreign excursions, experiencing essential opportunities abroad at reasonable rates.

International endeavors on her own have included conferences of the College Music Society (CMS). Kyriakos enjoys giving lecture-recitals on her dissertation topic, Clairières dans le ciel by Lili Boulanger. Her most recent international presentation on this subject was given in Buenos Aires at the CMS Biennial International Conference. She also values performing new music composed by her colleagues in composition. Highlights of new composition recitals were in Sydney, Australia with CMS, as well as Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at Sunway University.

Kyriakos also frequents performing at the Music by Women Festival at the Mississippi University for Women including a recent collaboration with composer, Jerry Casey. She has enjoyed working with her husband, composer and pianist/organist, Brian Henkelmann, featuring his own works at the National Association of Teachers of Singing Southern Region Conference. Last spring was the premier of a new set of songs for soprano and electronics by Dr. Thomas McKenney.

On the home front, Kyriakos spends time with her teenage daughter, Nina Henkelmann, helping with her piano practicing and driving. Distractions from the cat, three dogs and wandering strays are always welcome.