Lauded for her “absorbing conviction” (Well Tempered Ear), South Florida–based bassoonist Erika Andersen is a Moosmann Artist, Rodriguez Reed Artist, soloist, and chamber professional. She holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music from the University of Wisconsin–Madison where she studied with Marc Vallon and privately with Ted Soluri.

 

While at UW-Madison, she also served as an Associate Director for the Wisconsin Union Theater and worked with artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Hilary Hahn, Sō Percussion, Red Priest, and Joyce Yang. Recently she completed a Professional Performance Certificate from Lynn University–Conservatory of Music with bassoonist Eric Van der Veer Varner. She currently holds the position of Administrative Assistant for the Office of the Dean at Lynn Conservatory of Music. 

 

She has been an avid new music performer after participating in a summer study in Florence, Italy during the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in 2012, known for notable new music performances. Additionally, she has premiered pieces as a soloist with orchestra, live electronics, dancer, and small chamber ensembles. Currently she has commissioned a piece by Sunny Knable with Scott Pool, written in memory of Eric Varner, which will be premiered in the Fall of 2020.

 

In November of 2018, she was an artist in residence through the Hinge Program at Springboard for the Arts in her hometown of Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Comprised of performances and workshops in non-traditional spaces with local musicians, painters, and dancers; she brought in an audience to experience beautiful music and art in local establishments.

 

During her summers she attends the Glickman-Popkin Bassoon Camp and International Double Reed Society Conference where she enjoys listening to and performing contemporary works. Outside of her career as a musician, she maintains an active lifestyle. Some of her activities have included swimming, yoga, Crossfit, Krav Maga, and ballet.