• Blaco Library (map)
  • 160 East Front Street
  • Erie, PA, 16507
  • United States

Cello Master Class

Wednesday, February 15 · 6pm
Hirt Auditorum, Blasco Library

FREE and open to the public

Erie Philharmonic Principal Cellist Eri Snowden-Rodriguez works with local students in a public setting, including mini performances, practical advice, practice tips and more.

A fascinating look behind-the-scenes into the learning process of playing an instrument!

Eri Snowden-Rodriguez, cello

Eri Snowden-Rodriguez is a Venezuelan-American cellist, originally from Buffalo, New York. Since moving to Ohio in 2005 to study at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Erica has led a very active career as a performer and teaching artist in the regions of Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. They are the principal cellist of both the Akron Symphony Orchestra and the Erie Philharmonic. Erica also performs in a variety of chamber music and recital settings within the community and abroad. Since 2015, they have toured nationally with Sphinx Virtuosi, a chamber orchestra composed of the nations' top Latinx and Black string players. Erica has appeared as a performer and lecturer at many highly-regarded venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Cleveland Museum of Art, and many others. Snowden-Rodriguez has also competed nationally and was a semi-finalist in the senior division at the Sphinx Competition in 2008 and 2011.

In addition to an active performance career, Eri is a passionate music educator and advocate for access, inclusion and equity in the classical music field. Snowden-Rodriguez is a member of the artist council for the Nation Alliance for Audition Support, an unprecedented national initiative to increase diversity in American orchestras, and they have served as an advisor on statements regarding racial justice for the League of American Orchestras. In addition to this work, they teach private lessons in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Erica holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in performance and Suzuki pedagogy from the Cleveland Institute of Music. They currently reside in Akron, Ohio with partner, Samantha and their adorable parrot, Gomez.