萝莉社

 

Linda Starkey

 

Known as an educator, musician, performer and director for over 40 years, Linda Starkey is a prominent figure in the arts at Wichita State University and the Wichita community. Starkey鈥檚 educational background includes a BME from the University of Kansas and 惭补蝉迟别谤蝉鈥� degrees in Voice (Fort Hays State University) and Theatre (萝莉社).  She began teaching at 萝莉社 in 1980 as an adjunct professor in the School of Music teaching voice lessons, directing the Chamber Singers and assisting George Gibson with opera productions and Bud Boughton with the Renaissance Feasts.  During this time, she also became involved in 萝莉社 Summer Theatre where she worked with Dick Welsbacher, Mary Jane Teall, Audrey Needles and Joyce Cavarozzi serving as Music Director and/or Stage Director for over 200 productions. She moved to a full-time position in School of Performing Arts in 1997 with the development of the Musical Theater Degree and continued to provide guidance and support for building that program. She became Director of the School of Performing Arts in 2009 and served in that capacity until her retirement in 2022.

 

Throughout her career, Starkey has made significant contributions to music theater education. In 2016, she received the Golden Medallion from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, one of the most prestigious awards in the field, highlighting her expertise and impact in this area.  She received the College of Fine Arts Excellence in Creative Activity (2005) for her work in directing the production of Pippin that was featured in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in St. Louis. 

 

Her work in the Wichita community included 15 years with Music Theatre Wichita where she served as Music Director for 惭罢奥鈥檚 Teen Choir.   She directed and/or performed with many performing arts organizations in Wichita including Opera Kansas, Cabaret Oldtown, the Forum Theatre, Wichita Center for the Arts and the Crown Uptown Dinner Theatre.  She received the Outstanding Educator Award from the Mary Jane Teall Hall of Fame in 2018, received 2 Wichita Arts Council Awards: Outstanding Arts Organization for MTW Teen Choir (2014) and the Burton Pell Achievement Music Award (2006).

 

Since her retirement from 萝莉社, she has continued to be an active presence in the arts including Music Direction for shows at the Forum Theatre, teaching classes for Lifelong Learning at 萝莉社, serving on the 萝莉社 Retiree Association Planning Committee and serving as President of the Performing Arts Angels.  She remains passionate about teaching and the power of the arts to transform lives.

 

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