 For over 26 years, Erik has been involved in every aspect
of music --
from dancing to it as a toddler, to writing, arranging, teaching,
recording, directing, conducting, and performing it today.
Erik has always grown up around music. When he was in his mother's womb, he was played music by the greats -- Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Rachmaninoff. He grew up in the Methodist Church and was always around music in every aspect of life. As he got older, he set out to discover music that he could make. After starting private lessons on the alto saxophone in third grade and after many failed attempts, he went on to play with audition-only groups in middle school and high school. Deciding to take his passion for music and his love of teaching children to the next level, he studied at the Ithaca College School of Music and received his Bachelor's degree in Music Education in 2002. His musical journey has taken him through composing, performing, recording, directing, conducting, teaching, and most importantly -- understanding and enjoying music. While the saxophone and singing are Erik's first loves, he enjoys performing and recording clarinet, flute, oboe, drums, bass, and fiddling with keys. Currently, he plays alto saxophone with the Ridgewood Concert Band. Recently, Erik has started to pursue the performing life. He specializes in classical and broadway, but still likes to jazz it up.
In addition to music, Erik loves being with his wife, Heidi (7/17/05), racing things remote controlled, working out, watching movies... |
Erik has studied privately with Peter Potosky (New Jersey Pops), William Shadel (Broadway, Papermill Playhouse, Colonial Symphony), Steven Mauk (solo/recording artist, Empire Saxophone Quartet, North American Saxophone Alliance Past President), and has taken lessons with Carron Moroney (Celtic Theatre Company, solo/recording artist) and Charles Pillow (Broadway, solo/recording artist, Woody Hermans' Thundering Young Herd, Orpheus Chamber Ensemble, The Long Island Philharmonic, The New Orleans Symphony). His teaching credentials include elementary and middle-school band for four years and private lessons for over three years. He also is on staff as woodwind instructor for the Morristown High School Marching Colonials. His students range from beginners through college audition-aged. Some of his students have auditioned successfully for select groups within their schools, and within the state.