Associate Professor, Mark R. Calkins, tenor recently returned from sabbatical during which he studied vocal cross-training for 21st century singers. While on sabbatical Mark performed in recital and in concert in Illinois, New Mexico, and Chongqing, China. He presented 22 Master Classes in classical singing throughout the United States, in Beijing and Chongqing, China and online in Equador. Mark teaches a master class in Broadway Performing each year at the renowned Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts and in classical vocal technique for the Kentucky ACDA Summer Choral Conservatory. He has appeared in leading roles with opera companies throughout North America and Europe. Performing Count Almaviva in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Lindoro in L’Italiana in Algeri, The Prince in La Cenerentola, The Count in Le Comte Ory and Oreste in Ermione to critical acclaim in Opera houses such as: Opera De Nantes, France; Dublin Grand Opera, Ireland; Cologne Opera, Germany; The Lyric Opera of Chicago, Birmingham Opera, Chautauqua Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Castleward Opera, Northern Ireland; Kentucky Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Toledo Opera, Minnesota Opera, Opera Omaha, Mobile Opera, Central City Opera and Dayton Opera. In 2009 he was awarded the Thursday Musical “Teacher of the Year”. He recently performed in a nationally broadcast Dominican Republic production of La Boheme by Puccini in Santo Domingo under the auspices of the National Theater and National Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic, conducted by Mo. Jose Antonio Molina.