Press Kit

Heart & Harp

"...Erika's talent and professionalism is only matched by her engaging warmth as a performer both on stage and off."

Daniel GreenWolf, Owner & Entertainment Director, Midsummer fantasy Renaissance Faire, Ansonia CT

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Erika and her harp have enchanted renaissance faire enthusiasts for over twenty years. Her experience as a solo harpist, a member of various ensembles and folk bands, and her graduate studies in Film Scoring and Music Technology at New York University give her a diverse and rich musical background. Erika plays a variety of musical styles, but specializes in Celtic folk music, renaissance and early music, and film and video game scores. Her original compositions pull from all those styles, along with her own unique touch that has been described as "otherworldly." Erika loves to connect with her audiences in a way that is authentic and engaging, and incorporates storytelling and laughter into her shows to keep her audiences smiling. Erika was honored to win first place in the "Favorite Lane Performance" Category of the national Renaissance Festival Music Awards in 2023, and her 2023 renaissance faire album "A Fyne Faire Daye" won second place in the "Favorite Album of 2023" category.

“Erika has performed at The Connecticut Renaissance Faire many times over the years as both a solo artist and as part of her group, Sweet Amaryllis. She is always a delight to have part of our faire both on stage and off as she is always willing to go above and beyond to guarantee the success of the event. From her beautiful music to her charm and approachability…she is a top-notch performer and can only add to any event in a positive way.”

Brian Harvard, General Manager, CT Renaissance Faire & Robin Hood's Medieval Faire

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Erika has worked as a musician and composer for over twenty years. Her experience as a solo harpist, a member of various ensembles and folk bands, and her graduate studies in Film Scoring and Music Technology at New York University give her a diverse and rich musical background. Erika has worked as a music director for various theatre companies and festivals in NY and NJ, and is a seasoned renaissance faire and folk festival performer. She also performs at weddings and private events.

Erika plays a variety of musical styles, but specializes in Celtic folk music, Renaissance/early music, and film and video game scores. Her original compositions pull from all these styles, along with her own unique touch that has been described as "otherworldly. Erika strives to portray the human experience through music in a way that is authentic, raw, and emotive. She infuses her music with her love of storytelling, and has an extensive costume wardrobe for an array of periods and styles, including medieval, renaissance, fantasy, faerie, sci-fi, Victorian and more.

Some past and present clients include: The New York Renaissance Faire, Robin Hood's Springtime Medieval Faire (CT), The CT Renaissance Faire, The Midsummer Fantasy Renaissance Faire (CT), the Maine Renaissance Faire (ME), the Sparta Renaissance Faire (NJ), the Actor's Shakespeare Company (CT), A Night at Niblo's Garden (NY) by Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, the Annual Port Jefferson Dickens Festival (NY), Historic Hudson Valley (NY), New England Botanic Garden (MA) and Salem's Festival of the Dead (MA). Since 2022, she finishes off the year with a solo performance at the famous Howe Caverns, and as the accompanist for A Christmas Carol featuring Master Storyteller Jonathan Kruk at various venues around the Hudson Valley. Erika was honored to win first place in the "Favorite Lane Performance" Category of the national Renaissance Festival Music Awards in 2023.

Erika's harps are:

*Triplett Eclipse 38 string in bubinga wood. Big, bright, sparkling tone, and Erika's primary harp for weddings and outdoor festivals because of its surprisingly strong volume even without amplification. It's a giant for a folk harp, standing at 63" tall. It has a dazzling Celtic carving on the forepillar with an inlaid abalone Celtic triskele design, and abalone binding on the soundboard. It's a gorgeous, enchanting instrument both in sound and sight!

*Blevins Encore 34 in cherry wood. Lorelei has a warm, sweet tone, 34 strings. Erika calls this harp her "cozy sweater" harp because she's had it for so long and knows it so well, it's like a well-loved sweater. This harp has a gorgeous sound, but has taken quite a beating over the years being played in all sorts of outdoor weather, so you will see Erika with this harp at outdoor events when the weather isn't ideal.

*Stoney End Brittany lap harp in walnut wood. This harp has 22 wire strings and is fully levered. It has an ancient, mystical sound, perfect for medieval and traditional celtic events!

*Electro-acoustic "fullsicle" by William Rees harps. This harp is made from maple wood and stained a beautiful rich purple, is fully levered, and has a built in pickup for quick and easy amplification. She's lightweight and has 26 strings, and Erika loves to use her both onstage and for "strolling" gigs. Also perfect for playing with effect processors!

“Not just another harpist, Erika is an experienced professional who understands what it takes to capture her audience...”

Eric Tetreault, Co-Owner of Connecticut

Renaissance Faire and Robin Hood’s Faire

Music Selections

Genres:

Folk, Celtic, New Age, Renaissance, Film Scores, Game Soundtracks, Classical

“A truly amazing musician, very professional and adaptable. Erika is my go-to recommendation for events...”

Jennifer Campbell, Event Coordinator