Erica Skowron has been teaching music for 29 years. She has been the principal oboe with the Prince George Symphony since 1990 and has performed many solos with them including: Six Studies in Folksong for English horn and orchestra, Mozart Concertante for Four Winds, Vaughan Williams Oboe Concerto, Marcello Oboe Concerto, Albinoni D Minor Concerto,the Vivaldi D Minor KV 454 Concerto as an oboist and Rose Prince from Symphony of Saints by Gordon Lucas, Kapliow’s Green Eggs and Ham, Handel’s Messiah, Brahms Alto Rhapsody, Bach Cantata # 54, Mahler Lieder Eines Fahrenden Gesellen, Vivaldi Stabat Mater as a singer.

She has also performed both as a vocal soloist and an oboe soloist at the Mostly Mozart Festival in Kelowna, BC and has the pleasure of touring much of the beautiful BC and Yukon with a small chamber group both singing and playing.  She performs regularly with Alban Classical Artists.

In addition to performing, Erica directs the Trinity United Church choir and has been the position for more than 25 years.  She also taught music at the Child Development Centre for several years working many special needs children.  

Erica completed the Orchestral training Program at the Royal Conservatory of Toronto.  She holds an honours Bachelor in Music with a minor degree in Drama from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario studying oboe with James Mason, voice with Patricia Pascoe and drama with Leslie O'Dell.   Prior to that she spent a year studying at the Conservatoire Nationale de Sant Maur in La Varrenne, France. Other teachers have included Richard Dorsey - former principal oboist of the Toronto Symphony, Roger Cole - principal oboist of the Vancouver symphony, soprano Linda Miekse and tenor Douglas Rice.

Further Study has included the International Voice Workshop with Richard Armstrong at Banff, Institute of Voice Performance Pedagogy with Richard Miller at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Early Music Vancouver Baroque Workshop, Ray Still Masterclass in Vancouver, John Mack Oboe Camp in North Carolina, School of Fine Arts summer masterclasses, the Sarasota festival, the National Youth Orchestra of Canada and the Ontario Youth Choir.  She has also studied Kodaly music education with several teachers including one who was a student of Kodaly himself. 

Ages: All ages

Teaching method:
Uses a variety of methods tailored to the needs of students, including RCM and Kodaly. Erica has studied Feldenkrais and other body awareness techniques that can help students with tension issues. Is She is also able to help students that have difficulty in matching pitches.

Genres:
Erica is classically trained but teaches all genres. She will teach you “how to drive” so you can go where you want to go.

Group Options: 
Music for Young Children 
Joy of Singing

Testimonials:

"I started voice lessons with Erica just 7 months ago. Erica has a great sense of humor and is encouraging and knowledgeable. She knows just when to challenge me with more and cheers me on when I have success. She is flexible and takes me to the next level when my voice is ready.  As an older adult I have transitioned from struggling with many notes to being confident and able to reach quite high notes. If you would like to develop the innate capabilities of the amazing instrument of your voice. Erica will provide solid support and kind encouragement."   ~ Flossie Smith

“I want to thank Erica for enhancing my piano skills in the past two years. She taught me the songs that I wanted to play. She helped me understand the song better by connecting it to myself or the experiences I have had. She also helped me make it through to all my recitals, especially for winning at the scholarship competition. I’m very happy about it. I believe I have gone far in my piano skills. I’m really glad Erica is my teacher.”  ~ Cherie Uminga

"We found Erica to be a kind and gentle teacher. She was always in a happy mood and we appreciated that about her."

"Erica has a lot of patience and very light hearted personality which makes her an amazing teacher."

"Erica has a wonderful way with young children. Her gentle nature and kind personality put little ones at ease and her encouragement gives them the confidence to try new things."