Marieke de Koker is a South African–born mezzo-soprano, actress, composer, and performing arts educator with degrees from the Mannes School of Music and DePaul University.

As a multi-genre singer, actress, composer and dancer, Marieke has performed with Finger Lakes Opera, Utopia Opera, Bronx Opera, Garden State Opera, Shakespeare Opera Theatre, Jozi Opera, Overtone Industries, and more. Her work has been featured on WQXR, RSG Radio, Brooklyn Theatre TV, and the International Human Rights Arts Festival. She has also completed commissions and residencies with White Snake Projects, Artichoke Dance Company’s Eco-Arts Ambassadors, the International Contemporary Ensemble’s Ensemble Evolution, and Windybrow Arts Center.

Growing up in a musical household, Marieke frequently assisted her mother with early childhood music classes at Musikids in Pretoria, South Africa. Marieke also led early childhood music classes at EMC Arts in New Jersey.

A proud advocate for diversity in the arts, Marieke is a founding board member of Opéra Queens and has served as Publishing Team Lead for the Àkójọpọ̀ Music Foundation for Pan-African Art Music.

Marieke’s teaching approach is holistic, interdisciplinary and tailored to each student’s unique goals. Her lessons focus on building sustainable technique through body awareness, mindfulness, musicality, and expressive freedom - ultimately, finding your authentic creative voice! She specializes in voice and acting training - spanning opera, musical theatre, pop, and rock, as well as acting for the stage, film/TV and voiceovers. As a composer, Marieke also teaches beginner piano, music theory, composition, ear training, improvisation and music production.