Erika Pierson

Erika Pierson grew up in the Seattle area, beginning cello at age 7. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree of Cello Performance from Indiana University and her Master’s of Music Performance from University of Michigan. Between her degrees Erika studied in Berlin, Germany, at the Hochschule der Künste, and then studied privately under Eileen Croxford, FRMC, in London, England. In 2001, she performed at the Manchester International Cello Festival. Her other main teachers have included Angela Sokol, Richard Aaron, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, Markus Nyikos, Eileen Croxford and Erling Blondal Bengtsson.

Erika has given solo recitals in England, including a solo performance at St Martin in the Fields, London, in Germany, Spain, and in the United States. She has performed as featured soloist with orchestras in Berlin, Ann Arbor, and Everett, WA. On the less classical side of things, she has also performed with Mannheim Steamroller, Rod Stewart, the Walkmen, and Deltron 3030. Currently, Erika performs regularly as a rotating principal cellist in the North Corner Chamber Orchestra (NOCCO), gives frequent recitals as a soloist and a chamber musician in the Seattle area, and is an active freelancer in the Seattle community in orchestras including Lake Washington Symphony, Federal Way Symphony, Auburn Symphony, Seattle Metropolitan Orchestra and Seattle Chamber Orchestra. Erika is also a performing member of the Ladies Musical Club of Seattle.