ERIK FREDRIKSEN
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           Recording engineer, composer, performer, and music director. Erik Fredriksen is a defier of genre. His compositions and performances cross through many styles of music, from classical chamber ensembles to heavy metal bands.  Erik’s multi-instrumentalist background, professional musicality and calm but intense stage presence enable him to create music and performances that encapsulates an audience aurally, visually and emotionally.
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           Erik's discography is his most intimate music; each one is fully self recorded and produced. “Yo! Spirituality!”, Erik’s newest album, is a metal/rock album. “goddessmode”, the work before, is primarily an electronic album. All of these may be found on Bandcamp or other streaming services. His classical electroacoustic. compositions often take advantage of technologies and electric instruments, some newly constructed. His multimedia recital program, Subsist, consisted of several world premieres of compositions in 8.1 surround sound, accompanied by interactive lighting. The most notable of these pieces is named Subsisting with God. Erik performed several times as part of VIBES Peabody.

           Erik became intrigued by A Cappella since he spent his undergrad in The Originals, a Carnegie Mellon man-identifying a cappella group with numerous accolades and placements in top competitions across the US, most notably a 2nd place at the 2016 ICCA a cappella competition. He has both Music Directed and arranged for The Originals, and produced, mixed and mastered their debut LP, the Twenty Year Album. Erik was also part of the Baltimore Professional Vocal Band Ember, winning the 2018 A Cappella Open Northeast Semifinal and writing an original piece to be performed at Carnegie Hall as part of the International Championship of A Cappella Open 2018 Finals. While an accomplished performer and soloist, Erik's arrangements have been featured in numerous competitions and performances with both the Originals and Ember. Erik is taking open commissions for arranging, in addition to providing free arranging consultation. In 2020, Erik won the award for Best Collegiate Arrangement by the Contemporary A Cappella Society for “Greedy”, arranged for The Originals.

            Education and community a core part of Erik’s values. Erik has created several classes related to contemporary a cappella music to teach at educational festivals; all the materials to these classes can be found under A Cappella. They include classes for arrangers of all levels, as well as a class on basic music reading skills and tools. Erik may be contacted for arrangements and any educational consultation. Erik co-founded the “VIBES” electroacoustic concert series for student composers in collaboration with the Peabody Computer Music department. Erik ran sound for and hosted several of the VIBES concerts from 2018-2019. During Erik’s time at Carnegie Mellon, he was a part of CMU eSports, where he helped organize and manage events for the Pittsburgh gaming community at large, often in collaboration with eSports representatives from CMU and University of Pittsburgh. Erik created “Farewell Blue Lantern” as a celebration of the community.

             Erik has also done plenty of work in Theater in terms of sound and direction. He is a resident designer for the 4615 Theater Company in Washington DC, creating unconventional sound systems sprawling across multiple rooms, and composing everything from dixieland jazz to synthesized music fit for a horror movie. He music directed and composed for shows both in the 4615 Theater Company and Scotch n’ Soda Theater, Carnegie Mellon University’s student theater group. Erik has also produced recordings for DC alternative bands Jack Nicholson and Samsara.

             Erik has a Master of Music in Computer Music from the Peabody Conservatory of The Johns Hopkins University, studying under Dr. McGregor Boyle, and an interdisciplinary Bachelor’s in Science and Arts with concentrations in Mathematical Sciences and Music Technology from Carnegie Mellon University.
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​As part of VIBES Peabody, in collaboration with Peabody Computer Music. Photo by Mofan Lai
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​Joe Martinez Photography, 2016 ICCA Finals, The Beacon Theater in New York City, NY
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Mofan Lai Photography, "Computer Music with Dance" 2019
            Please email Erik at me@erikfredriksen.com for any production, composition, arranging, or questions.
              
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  • Home
  • Bio
  • Composition/Performance
  • Discography
  • A Cappella
  • Education
  • Contact/Commission