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Michael Kirk Allen (B.A. '03) is this week’s featured alum in our new Alumni Spotlight series for the This Week at Meadows e-newsletter. Each week, a different Meadows alum will be highlighted for their accomplishments post-graduation.

Blending a lifelong love of music with a sharp sense for strategic storytelling, Meadows alum Michael Kirk Allen helps artists share their musical vision with the world. Graduating with degrees in art history and voice performance, Allen now serves as Vice President of Marketing Strategy at Republic Records, one of the music industry’s most influential labels.

“My love of music and vocal performance brought me to º£½ÇÖ±²¥ and the stellar music program at Meadows,” he recalls. “I knew I loved music and although I wasn’t sure I had the passion to pursue singing as a full-time career, I knew I wanted music to be a part of my professional life.”

In his role, Allen works alongside a world-class team to craft marketing campaigns that help artists tell their stories and connect with audiences on a deeper level. With Republic Records being home to multi-platinum, award-winning legends such as Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Daniel Caesar, Florence + the Machine, Jelly Roll, John Legend, Jonas Brothers, Kid Cudi, Lorde, Miranda Lambert, Nicki Minaj, Pearl Jam, Shania Twain, Taylor Swift, and more, Allen works to understand the unique vision of each artist on his roster and help them bring it to life.

His studies in art history and music at Meadows taught him the historical importance of art in the world and society. At its core, the music industry is all about art and Allen’s education gave him both the artistic insight and strategic empathy to help his clients best share their creativity with the world.

“My vocal performance training showed me how difficult [being a professional singer] can be and the type of determination and resilience you have to have to pursue it as a career,” says Allen, whose love for music and singing is the cornerstone of his career. “I know the joy of expressing creativity and emotion through vocal performance, and I like to think it makes me better at my job.”

That deep appreciation for creativity and culture has also fueled some of Allen’s proudest recent achievements. In 2025, he was named one of Billboard’s Pride List honorees, recognizing 27 LGBTQ+ executives shaping the future of the industry. This year, his projects have included KPop Demon Hunters (which topped the Billboard 200 with the single “Golden” reaching #1 on the Hot 100), Stray Kids’ KARMA (the band’s seventh consecutive #1 on the Billboard 200), and the forthcoming much-anticipated soundtrack for the film Wicked: For Good featuring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.

Looking back at his time at Meadows, Allen believes his journey reflects the same lesson he offers current students: stay curious, embrace change, and follow what excites you because that’s often where the most meaningful paths begin.

Learn more about the Department of Art History here and Division of Music here.