Erik Ross, B.Mus. (Calgary), M.Mus. (Toronto), Doc.Mus (Toronto)
Piano, Theory, Composition, History

Erik Ross composes for all media. His portfolio includes several solo, chamber, electroacoustic and orchestral works, and he has written for productions of theatre, film and dance. He has written works for artists such as oboist Joseph Salvalaggio, Norine Burgess and Stephen Ralls of the Aldeburgh Connection, mezzo-soprano Jean MacPhail, Gabriel Radford and Sarah Jeffrey of the Toronto Symphony, the Lee/Bard Duo 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, and Joan Watson of the Toronto Symphony. 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 vthe 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 contemporary 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 and the Laidlaw Foundation.

Dr. Ross's 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 he recently completed a solo for saxophonist Wallace Halladay, as well as chamber works for Sarah Jeffrey and Gabriel Radford, the Lee-Villanueva Duo, and a song cycle for Carla Huhtanen and Scott Belluz. Upcoming projects include a double-choir piece for the Canadian Chamber Choir with poetry by Lorna Crozier; a song cycle for Tracy Smith Bessette and a piece for Toca Loca for three mezzos, both with poetry by Pat Lowther; and a marimba concerto for Ryan Scott that will be premiered by the Esprit Orchestra in May 2006. Dr. Ross is an associate composer of the Canadian Music Centre.

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