Clipper Erickson, piano

Clipper Erickson began his performing career at the age of 19, winning the Young Musicians Foundation Competition in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Times reviewer wrote, "He played with extraordinary dash and power and never let flamboyance obscure art." Mr. Erickson has continued to thrill audiences since, being described recently as a "true heroic pianist" by the Washington Post. Of his second CD, "American Journey," American Record Guide wrote: "A delightful disc....Clipper Erickson's playing has a winning vitality and exuberance...fresh and youthful." After a performance at the Spoleto Festival, the Charleston News and Courier wrote, "It takes a pianist of almost divine power to render this sort of music in intelligible form to an audience. Erickson was just such a pianist."

Featured in distinguished venues throughout the U.S., Mr. Erickson has appeared in recital on series such as Chicago's Dame Myra Hess, Boston's Gardner Museum, and the Kennedy Center and Phillips Collection in Washington. He has appeared as soloist with symphonies both nationally and internationally. Mr. Erickson is one of only a few pianists chosen for the roster of the Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour, and is artist in residence with the Trenton Symphony.

Clipper Erickson attended the Juilliard School of Music and received degrees from both Indiana University and Yale University, where he was awarded top honors as the most promising graduate student in music. He was awarded top prizes in the Busoni Competition and the William Kapell Competition, and was a semifinalist in the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. As a member of the roster of Affiliate Artists, Mr. Erickson gave performances with American symphonies as an artist in residence, while expanding listening opportunities for various audiences with solo recitals at schools, nursing homes, and prisons.

His third CD, "Woven Images," features music inspired by the visual arts. Included on this release is the premiere recording of "Without Borders" by Philadelphia area composer Allen Krantz, written especially for Mr. Erickson.

Mr. Erickson resides with his family in historic Bucks County, outside Philadelphia. He finds time in his busy performing schedule to play for the benefit of local charities as well as accompanying school groups for his two daughters.

October 18, 2003