Staff Spotlight
Associate Professor, Mark R. Calkins
Associate Professor of Music
At Berea College since 2009
Mark joined the faculty at Berea College, Kentucky, U.S.A. in the fall of 2009 where he served as Director of Music 2012-2015. Mark also served as Auditions Coordinator for Prague Summer Nights – International Young Artists Music Festival. A former member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s young artist development program, the Lyric Opera Center for American Artists, Mark was featured as the conductor of the Berea College Women’s Chorus on Listen a nationally televised CBS Christmas Concert in 2016; as Cassio in Otello on an A&E nationwide production of Spotlight Colorado; and starred in a National Public Television Broadcasting System Television production and World Premiere of Robert Greenleafs’ Under the Arbor, available on DVD. Concert engagements include appearances in Europe’s Music festivals in Salzburg, Bregenz, Villach, Austria; Merano, Italy and Bremen, Germany with Roger Norrington conducting the London Classical Players in Rossini’s Stabat Mater. He has appeared throughout the U.S. in Broadway touring productions of Phantom of the Opera. Recent student’s achievements include: Chicago Lyric Opera, Ryan Opera Center member; a Metropolitan Opera supporting artist; District and Regional Metropolitan Opera National Council Audition winners; many statewide Kentucky and Minnesota NATS competition winners; 2009 Thursday Musical competition and 2009 Music Teachers National Association winners. His collegiate students perform leading roles in the college productions, soloists and section leaders in the college choirs.
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Mission Statement
The Berea College Music Department recognizes that music is an essential component of a liberal arts education. We are committed to creating an educational environment that combines the academic rigors of the discipline with the artistic standards of performance.
Through music, the Berea College Music Department affirms the college’s mission by:
- providing a music education of high quality that relates to the liberal arts foundation and outlook
- developing creativity and independence of thought
- serving the community through the teacher education program, public performances and other musical opportunities
- establishing an educational environment that respects diverse learning styles, performance styles and practices
- providing various musical opportunities for all students on campus
- developing awareness of music’s connection with regional, national, and international cultures
- encouraging collaboration and teamwork
- integrating musical experiences with the labor program to enhance professional development, promoting lifelong support and appreciation of the arts.