Jessica Harika is a Lebanese-American stage director, mezzo-soprano and producer. A fierce advocate for opera’s continued growth to reach new audiences, she has worked on productions ranging from the traditional to the experimental. 

She is currently an Associate Professor of Voice and Director of Opera at Towson University. Most recently she was co-director of Opera at Virginia Commonwealth University and the Season Assistant Director of the Janiec Opera Company at Brevard Music Center. She previously served as associate artistic director of Playthings Theatre Company (NYC), creating a safe space for queer theater makers, as well as the resident stage director for City Lyric Opera (NYC). Her work has been seen with Towson University's Summer at the Center Festival, dell’Arte Opera Ensemble, Capitol Opera Richmond, River City Opera, The Manhattan School of Music, Shreveport Opera, as well as producing comedy and cabaret shows in NYC at The Pit and The Duplex Cabaret Theater.

Dr. Harika has been described as “a riveting and expressive performer” and “truly a delight to see and hear.” She has recently finished recording her debut album with pianist Rhys Burgess, exploring the newly published mélodies of Jacques Leguerney. She has sung with Washington Concert Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Heartbeat Opera, dell’Arte Opera Ensemble, Natchez Festival of Music, Opera Theatre St. Louis, Shreveport Opera, Opera Maine, and The Janiec Opera Company. Jessica has also appeared in concert with VCU Symphony, Opera in the Heights, The Brevard Music Festival Orchestra and The NEC Philharmonia. She has been seen in Masterclass with Marilyn Horne, Stephanie Blythe and Jane Eaglen.

Jessica holds degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University, The New England Conservatory of Music and University of Maryland at College Park.