DRUMLESSONS

Erik has been playing the drums since his 5th grade music class. His mother was a music teacher for over 30 years and influenced him greatly to become a music teacher himself. He then studied drums privately in middle school and eventually took instruction from Norm Fickett, the Principal Percussionist from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra during his freshman year in high school. During the same period he took drum set instruction from Detroit Studio Drummer Joe Chila, and by his senior year in high school Erik had studied with six more instructors from various genres of music. Because of the many musical influences, he decided to study music in college and major in Music Education and minor in Music Performance.

The choice was obvious to attend Central Michigan University and study under Professor Robert Hohner. At this time, the CMU Percussion Studio was ranked at the top for performance. During this period, Erik performed with David Samuels, David Friedman, and the Midland Music Society. He also performed with numerous orchestras including: Alma Symphony Orchestra, West Shore Symphony Orchestra, Saginaw Symphony Orchestra, Macomb Community Orchestra, Mt. Clemens Symphony Orchestra, Midland Symphony Orchestra, Cedar Point Amusement Park Live Shows and Amazement Park Revue, Central Michigan University Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony Band, Symphony Band Ensemble, CMU Jazz Lab 1, Central Air Jazz Band, Studio 12 Jazz Band, CMU Faculty Jazz Septet, and the CMU Percussion Ensemble. He also taught instrumental music for the Mt. Pleasant District Bands and Percussion Ensembles, the Port Huron School District Band and Percussion Ensembles, and private instruction for local drum lessons. Other performances include the MENC National Convention in Chicago Illinois and Anaheim California, PASIC National Convention, and The PAS International Convention at Oakland University, the Elmhurst Chicago Jazz Festival and Ohio State University Jazz Festival. Erik also worked for the CMU Recording Lab to record college performances which included concerts, clinics and recitals.

Upon graduation, he took the Band Director position at Clintondale High School and taught instrumental music for 20 years. During this time he instructed the marching, concert, and jazz bands along with teaching Music Appreciation and American Jazz Studies classes. For two years Erik also worked as the Performing Arts Director for the Clintondale District in which he created the CHS Educational Jazz Festival performing with music greats Phil Woods, Bobby Lewis, Jeff Berlin, Paul Wertico, Steve Talaga, and Bobby Shew. He also directed the pit orchestra for the community plays and other local events.