Music has always been a part of Erik’s life. Born into a musical family, he began performing with his parents at the age of two as they traveled around the Midwest as semi-itinerant musicians singing for churches and music conferences. He took to it immediately, loving the opportunity to share music with an audience. He also began singing in choirs, first in Kantorei in Rockford, IL, then in the Texas Boy’s Choir for nine years after his family moved to Texas.

He began studying piano at the age of five, and is eternally grateful to his mother for not letting him quit whenever practice interfered with playing outside. He began accompanying his parents by nine, and graduated to accompanying instrumentalists in solo competitions by the age of eleven, allowing him the unique opportunity to grow simultaneously as a solo pianist and collaborative artist.

Erik knew he wanted to double-major in vocal and piano performance in college from the age of eleven and stuck to it when he attended Texas Christian University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree. He then attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary to study Vocal Performance and Conducting, earning his Master’s degree.

While attending a summer program in Michigan, he met Dr. Lynn Eustis, with whom he still studies. She encouraged him to attend the Opera Institute at Boston University which he did beginning in the fall of 2019. While his time there was different than expected (as was everyone’s 2020-2021) he is extremely grateful for the opportunity and support given by the faculty of the Opera Institute in the face of unprecedented times.

He is now pursuing a career as an opera singer.