“Because I am a singer, I understand shaping sound. Because I am a conductor, I know the importance of the score. Both feed my artistry as a performer and storyteller who lives to create musical journeys with joy.”
Inspiring audiences with his magnetic energy and light
A passionate tenor who brings vulnerability and authenticity to his performances, Eric is dedicated to bringing joy to the world through song. Internationally, he performed the role of Basilio and Don Curtzio in a production of Le Nozze di Figaro in Italy with the International Lyric Academy; while in Italy he sung on several recital series in the province of Viterbo. His bright and ringing tenor was featured as a soloist during the Essence of Joy Alumni Singers tours to Spain, France, and South Africa.
In addition to his solo accomplishments, Eric has been an invaluable member of many dynamic ensembles. He is a member of Essence of Joy Alumni singers who recently performed with Harrisburg Symphony in a concert production of Porgy and Bess. He is also a member of the Trap Chorale who performed for the inaugural UN Hip-Hop Summit for Peace. Other notable collaborations include New York Fashion Week for Pyer Moss Collections 2 & 3 as well as his short film entitled Seven Mothers; and David Lang’s Mile Long Opera.
Emerging as a leading voice in Choral Conducting
As a conducting apprentice of Dianne Berkun-Menaker, Founder & Artistic Director of the Grammy-Award-Winning Brooklyn Youth Chorus, Eric is emerging as a distinct, powerful, and inspiring voice in the choral community. As conductor with the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, he has helped assist in preparing the chorus for highlight collaborations, including Home Alone Live at Lincoln Center with the New York Philharmonic; NY Philharmonic Young People’s Concerts; recordings with William Britelle on his Spiritual America project; the Brooklyn Youth Chorus self produced album Silent Voices; Tosca with New York City Opera; and a special performance Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night’s Dream with NY Phil Conductor Alan Gilbert.
On his own, he has prepared the chorus to perform at Broadway Fights for Freedom, where the chorus sang backup for Shania Taub.
In addition to his work with BYC, he has also conducted the several honors and all county choirs, and while singing in Italy, he also served as Assistant Choirmaster to Maestro Stefano Vignati and Rebecca Steinke in a production of Suor Angelica. Choirs under his direction have performed in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. As an active member of the American Choral Directors Association, Chorus America, Music Educators Association of New York City, and the Gospel Music Workshop of America, he has performed at both regional and national conferences.
Eric is committed to continuing the legacy of great Black musicians who came before him. As a student of Dr. Anthony T. Leach, Founder of Essence of Joy & Artistic Director of Essence of Joy Alumni Singers, he has a thorough knowledge of music by African & African-American choral music of the Sacred & Secular traditions.
Additionally, in a show of his commitment to EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) work, he currently serves as the ADEI (Access, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Chair for the New York Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.