About Erika
Driven by her passion for sharing music, Swedish classical guitarist Erika Clevejarn regularly appears as a soloist across the United Kingdom and Scandinavia. Her diverse performances are recognized for their imaginative, creative and sensitive style and approach. She is dedicated to artistic expression and the authentic unfolding of music.
Erika regularly performs in notable venues and guitar festivals around the world. Past highlights include concerts in Komitas Chamber Music Hall in Armenia, Uppsala Concert and Congress Hall during Uppsala International Guitar Festival in Sweden, the Swedish Guitar and Lute Festival, and Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall in the UK, amongst others.
Passionate about expanding the classical guitar repertoire, Erika takes pleasure in collaborating with composers and performing new works. She has performed several world premieres and has had multiple compositions dedicated to her. Recent premieres includes ‘On the Banks of Mother Araks’ by Christopher Stell in Yerevan, Armenia.
Along with solo work, Erika is a dedicated chamber musician and has worked in several duos and ensembles. Recent collaborative projects includes ‘The Light on the Edge’ – a project featuring two guitars and various other instruments in a contemporary context.
Erika is a devoted and highly sought-after teacher. She has extensive teaching experience and is deeply passionate about the presence of music education in schools. Aspiring to make the classical guitar more accessible for young people from diverse backgrounds, she enjoys holding regular classes, workshops and presentations in schools. Furthermore, she has collaborated with Wigmore Hall’s learning programme and was invited twice as a guest artist on one of their courses. She is regularly invited to teach at festivals and courses in the UK and abroad. Erika is also a teacher-assessor for the Associate Board of the Royal School of Music’s Music Medals.
Erika has degrees from both the Royal College of Music in London (Bachelor of Music, Hons) and the Royal Academy of Music in London (Master of Arts). Her studies was generously supported by numerous scholarships and awards. During her time at the Royal Academy of Music, she also gained the LRAM (Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music) teaching qualification. Before moving to London in 2016, Erika studied with the distinguished Dutch classical guitarist Eric Lammers at Oskarshamns Folkhogskola in Sweden.
Erika plays a guitar by Swedish luthier Johannes Kitselis.
Erika would like to thank the following for their much appreciated support throughout her career and studies: Thora Ohlsson Cultural Foundation, Help Musician’s UK, Uppfostringsfonderna, the Kempe-Carlgrenska Fund, the Anna Whitlock Fund, the Hockerill Foundation, Gunvor & Josef Anér’s Fund, the Helge Ax:son Johnson’s Foundation, and the Carl Erik Levin’s Fund.
Recordings
On the Banks of Mother Araks by Christopher Stell
‘Water is sure to find its way’ - Armenian Proverb
”This piece was written during another period of turmoil and unrest for Armenia. I wanted to capture in the music the sense of stillness and peace that is a natural part of Armenian culture and life. At the same time, I wanted to reflect upon the effects of conflict which has been a constant menace to the Armenian people throughout its history. My starting point was the Armenian folk song ‘On the Banks of Mother Araks’ which beautifully conveys the peace and stillness found in the flowing water and the restful tranquility of the riverbank. The music also suggests a sense of loss and what has gone before. Throughout its history the river has become a symbol of grief and political struggle but continues to flow bringing new life and hope.”
Gallery
