Erik Ross
Piano, Theory, Composition, History
Erik Ross composes for all media. His portfolio
includes several solo, chamber, vocal, and orchestral
works, and he has written for productions of theatre,
film and dance. He has written works for artists such
as Norine Burgess and Stephen Ralls of the Aldeburgh
Connection, Jean MacPhail, Gabriel Radford and Sarah
Jeffrey of the Toronto Symphony, Joseph Salvalaggio of
the Memphis Symphony, the Lee/Bard Duo, the
Lee-Villanueva Duo, saxophonist Wallace Halladay,
vocalists Carla Huhtanen and Scott Belluz, and the
Gryphon Trio. His compositions have also been
performed by artists such as soprano Tracy Smith
Bessette, Nancy Goodearl of the Houston Symphony,
pianist Gregory Oh, percussionist Ryan Scott, Toca
Loca, and Joan Watson. He has had performances of his
works in Canada, the United States, Mexico, England,
Japan and Australia. For two summers he composed for
the Discovery Ensemble at the Festival of the Sound
under the direction of Gary Kulesha and he wrote an
operetta for Tapestry New Opera Works' production at
the 2002 Opera America Conference.
Erik Ross holds a Doctor of Music degree from the
University of Toronto where his advisor was Christos
Hatzis. He also holds a Master of Music degree from
the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Music
degree from the University of Calgary. He is an active
educator, and has taught piano, theory and composition
to individuals of all ages and ability levels. He also
takes great enjoyment in performing piano repertoire,
particularly that of his peers. He has received
numerous awards, fellowships and scholarships, and has
received commission and travel funding from the Canada
Council, the Ontario Arts Council, the Toronto Arts
Council and the Laidlaw Foundation.
Dr. Ross' Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra was
premiered by Joseph Salvalaggio and the Memphis
Symphony in January 2003, and was performed again at
the 2004 International Double Reed Society Conference
in Melbourne, Australia by Diana Doherty, under the
direction of Nicholas Daniel. His first piano trio was
premiered by the Gryphon Trio at the Ottawa
International Chamber Music Festival, and his marimba
concerto was premiered by Ryan Scott and the Esprit
Orchestra in May 2006. Upcoming works include pieces
for the Canadian Chamber Choir, the Caliban Quartet,
Toca Loca, and Joseph Petric. Dr. Ross is an associate
composer of the Canadian Music Centre.