Clarinetist Erika Block joins music faculty

Clarinetist Erika Block joined the faculty of the WWU Music Department at the beginning of winter quarter.

Block hails from Annapolis, Maryland. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees in clarinet performance at Boston University. She studied with Thomas Martin (Boston Symphony Orchestra) and continued on with Ricardo Morales (Philadelphia Orchestra). Her studies began with Gregory Raden (Dallas Symphony Orchestra) and attended Brevard, Tanglewood, and Kinhaven music schools in the summers.

She performs regularly with the Fifth Inversion Woodwind Quintet, Skagit Opera, Trio D'Anches, Bellingham Music Festival Orchestra, Bellingham Chamber Music Society, and many others.  As an active soloist, she has recently been featured with Fourth Inversion in Mt Vernon, WA, as well as recitals and concerti in Bellingham, Vancouver, BC, and Washington DC.  Erika and her family moved to Bellingham in 2011 after several years in Vancouver, BC.  There she played with the Vancouver Island Symphony, North Shore Sinfonia,  and Nu:BC contemporary ensemble.  

In addition to performing, Erika was the Marketing and Artist Relations Director for Backun Musical Services, a boutique clarinet manufacturer based in Burnaby, BC.  There, she spent several years designing the packaging, website, print ads, logos, and trade show decor.   In addition, she toured the United States and Europe with Morrie Backun, educating clarinetists around the world about their instrument, the products, and how to improve their playing.  Now, 15 years since its inception, Backun is the leader in clarinet innovation worldwide.

Erika has always enjoyed teaching.  She maintains a private studio, as well as giving masterclasses and adjudicating throughout Washington State.  She is an exciting addition to the Western Washington family, and the clarinet studio is expected to flourish under her tutelage.