Lykins’ career uniquely blends artistic performance as a cellist and pianist with administrative creativity as founding Director of the Lakes Area Music Festival. Primarily a cellist, he enjoys a busy schedule performing throughout the Midwest as a member of the South Dakota and Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestras and freelancer in the Twin Cities area. He has served as principal cellist for the National Orchestra Institute, National Repertory Orchestras, Classical Symphony of Chicago, and has played regularly with the Syracuse and New World Symphonies. As a soloist, recent concerto appearances include the Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra, Heartland Symphony, Northeast Orchestra, and the Lakes Area Music Festival. He received both bachelors and masters degrees in cello performance from the Eastman School of Music, studying with Steven Doane and Alan Harris, respectively. Also a collaborative pianist, he has performed in recitals and concerts throughout the United States and Europe. Based on his initial successes leading the Lakes Area Music Festival, Lykins is a graduate of the Catherine Filene Shouse Arts Leadership Program at Eastman; this certificate program is designed to inspire students with a personal vision, to equip them with the professional skills and experience that will allow them to take charge of their musical prospects, and to encourage them to provide leadership in the musical culture and marketplace. He was a cohort participant of the Institute for Executive Director Leadership presented by St. Thomas University’s College of Business. He serves on the board of the Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and has been a mentor for arts organizations and participants of the Global Leaders Program.