Faculty Profile: Antonia Felix

Antonia Felix explored many areas before becoming interested in pursuing a career in education, but it was this choice that would lead her to Emporia State.

Born in Minneapolis, Minn., Felix was always an avid reader and curious student. After graduating from high school she went on to attend the University of Madison-Wisconsin on scholarship where she majored in music performance.

Felix then went on to Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Minn., where she received a bachelor of arts in psychology. Her desire to further her education then led Felix to Mannes College of Music in New York where she completed graduate work in music, specifically voice.

Although Felix had a passion for other areas of study she was always particularly attracted to English.

“I’ve always loved books,” Felix said. “They were the best presents my parents could buy me when I was growing up, and I spent a great deal of my childhood reading.”

In order to pursue her love of literature, Felix attended Texas A&M University-Kingsville where she received a Master’s of Arts in English. Felix then expanded her love of literature by exploring a career in writing and quickly became an avid and accomplished writer.

To date, Felix has published 15 non-fiction books, many of which are biographies and generally focus on political and musical figures. Some of her subjects include Condoleezza Rice, Laura Bush, Andrea Bocelli and Harry Connick Jr.

Although Felix is truly passionate about writing, she wanted to find a career in which she could have a greater level of social interaction. Because of this, Felix decided to enter into the teaching profession.

“Writing is a very isolated profession, so I thought it would be interesting and stimulating to get into the classroom and work with literature and writing from that perspective,” Felix said. “Interacting with students is very rewarding.”

Her husband, Stanford Felix, is an assistant professor in the music department. Her husband’s career encouraged Felix to apply for a position at ESU where she obtained a position with the English Department and has taught Composition I, Basic Writing and Literary Perspective.

Her vast experiences in so many literary perspectives has both impressed and encouraged the students that have taken classes with Felix.

“I think Felix is so important to the English Department because of all her experiences,” said Tracy Vacinek, sophomore secondary education English major. “It makes her classes more effective.”

Though she has settled into English, Felix has never given up her talent or passion for music. After first studying the bassoon Felix had to make the difficult decision to pursue a career in the bassoon or one in voice. She chose voice and has continued to pursue a wide range of vocal activity ever since.

Felix made her opera debut as the title role of Verdi’s “Aida,” in New York. She continued performing in operatic work, but the majority of her vocal performances were done on the recital stage. She performed recitals across the United States, as well as internationally, including the cities of Prague, Moscow and Paris.

Felix also explored her writing talents in music and has written a number of vocal and instrumental music pieces. She has composed musical literature for Boston Chorographer Jody Weber, which has been performed at Green Street Studios in Cambridge, as well as New York.

Felix’s extensive educational background and her work in both the fields of music and literature make her an excellent teacher in the eyes of her students.

“Felix is a great teacher,” said Alli Jordan, freshman English major. “I feel such a strong connection to her in the classroom and have learned so much from her and all her experiences in literature.”