Marika Kyriakos

Marika Kyriakos is Professor of Voice and Interim Chair of Theatre at Arkansas State University, affiliated with the Department of Music in the College of Liberal Arts and Communication. She has held significant administrative roles including Chair of the Department of Music and Assistant Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Communication, and previously directed the A-State Opera Theatre and Fowler Center.

Education:

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

Her research and teaching focus on vocal performance, vocal health, lyric diction, Greek vocal literature, and the singing actor. She is known for her lecture-recitals on Lili Boulanger’s Clairières dans le ciel, presented internationally at venues such as the College Music Society Biennial International Conference in Buenos Aires. Her performance interests include new music, often premiering works by contemporary composers including Thomas McKenney and her husband, Brian Henkelmann.

She is active in numerous professional organizations such as the College Music Society, National Association of Teachers of Singing, Music Teachers National Association, and several honor societies including Pi Kappa Lambda and Phi Kappa Phi. She frequently performs at the Music by Women Festival and has presented in Sydney, Kuala Lumpur, and Mexico.

As an educator, she mentors students in applied voice and leads international study and performance excursions, notably at the OperaMaya summer festival in Mexico. She also serves as collaborative pianist for opera and musical theatre productions.

Labs, Teams, and Leadership: She founded and directed the A-State Opera Theatre, served as musical director for theatre collaborations, and led the Fowler Center as Director. Her interdisciplinary work bridges music and theatre, emphasizing performance practice, international engagement, and pedagogical innovation.