About Erika
Swedish classical guitarist Erika Clevejarn regularly appears as a soloist and chamber musician across the United Kingdom and internationally. Her diverse performances are recognized for their imaginative, creative and sensitive style and approach.
Erika regularly performs in notable venues and guitar festivals around the world. Past concert highlights have included Komitas Chamber Music Hall (Armenia), Uppsala International Guitar Festival (Sweden), Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall (UK), and numerous classical guitar- and music societies in the UK and abroad.
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. Upcoming premieres (2025-27) include new works by Laura Snowden and Christopher Stell. Along with solo work, Erika is a dedicated chamber musician. She regularly performs with the duo ‘Emilia and Erika’ alongside Swedish soprano Emilia Utter.
Driven by her passion for inspiring and educating the new generation of young guitarists, Erika is one for the co-founders of Sweden’s first youth guitar festival and is a core member of Play2Festival’s team of tutors in Armenia, where she has coached students at the Komitas State Conservatoire of Yerevan, and conducted large youth guitar orchestras in Armenia’s major concert halls. She has over a decade of teaching experience and is deeply passionate about the presence of music education in schools. She has also collaborated with Wigmore Hall’s learning programme.
Erika has degrees from both the Royal College of Music in London (Bachelor of Music with honours) and the Royal Academy of Music in London (Master of Arts in Performance). Her studies were 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 Dutch classical guitarist Eric Lammers at Oskarshamns Folkhogskola in Sweden.
Erika plays a guitar by Swedish luthier Johannes Kitselis.
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.”
Là-bas, vers l'église (from 5 Mélodies populaires grecques) by Maurice Ravel
Soprano: Emilia Utter
Guitar: Erika Clevejarn
The Music Box Pavane by Christopher Stell
Played by Erika Clevejarn and Laura Snowden
