ASU director has passion for opera
Tami Wynn
Issue date: 3/11/10 Section: Entertainment
|
Originally from Columbia, Mo., Marika Kyriakos came to ASU in Fall 2008 as an associate professor of music and director of opera.
While setting the groundwork for a study abroad program in Athens, Greece, she is also extending opera to elementary schools in the area.
It was her passion for the piano that eventually led her to opera. Piano was her focus all the way through to her completion of the bachelor of music degree in piano performance at the University of Missouri in Columbia.
"I suppose I became interested in opera when one of my father's colleagues in the music department at U of M [Virginia Pyle] coerced me into doing the master of music degree there in vocal performance. I had absolutely no experience, but gained more as I continued my education at UMKC, the University of CT-Storrs and UT-Austin."
Her accrued singing experience and her family roots led her to her work abroad with the Opera Institute of the Roman Festival. She was assistant director and also sang significant roles in two operas.
She sang the roles of Fiordiligi in Mozart's "Cosi fan tutte" and Violetta in Verdi's "La Traviata" at the festival during the Summers of 2000 and 2001.
Opera is a big part of Kyriakos' life, but having a full-time teaching position, directing operas and raising a small child, leaves less time for playing roles.
"I have managed in the past to do roles abroad during the summer at various festivals, but now I am married and have a toddler," she said. "Hopefully I will be able to incorporate it into my performing schedule more frequently. Directing is really fun, but I do love to perform."
She said her abroad cultural experiences inspired her to create a study abroad program for students at ASU. Pulled to the country of her own heritage with its drama roots, she is constructing the foundation for a summer training program for singers at the Athens Conservatory in Greece.
RSS Feed
Be the first to comment on this story