Dr. Erika Svanoe, conductor

Dr. Erika Svanoe (b. 1976) is a conductor and composer, currently serving as the Conductor of the Augsburg Concert Band at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she also teaches undergraduate conducting, music theory, and the clarinet studio. Prior to joining the Augsburg faculty, she was Director of Bands at Bemidji State University in Bemidji, MN, and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of New Hampshire. She remains active as a guest conductor and clinician, appearing with high school, university, and festival ensembles across the United States.

She earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from The Ohio State University under Russel C. Mikkelson, where she served as conductor of the OSU Collegiate Winds, assistant conductor of the OSU Wind Symphony, and taught undergraduate conducting classes. She also holds a Master of Music in Wind Conducting from Oklahoma State University and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. Her clarinet instructors have included James Pyne, Babette Belter, and Richard Fletcher.

photo by Darrell Owens

Dr. Svanoe maintains an active schedule as a composer, writing music for band and chamber ensemble. Her first major work, The Haunted Carousel, won the 2014 NBA Young Band Composition Contest and was featured at the Midwest Clinic and the CBDNA Southern Division Conference. Her piece Steampunk Suite was featured on Wisconsin Public Radio, at the 2017 American Bandmasters Association National Conference, and performed by “The President's Own” United States Marine Band and the U.S. Navy Band. Her DMA dissertation included a critical edition of Aaron Copland's El Salón México for wind ensemble, with related research published in the WASBE Journal and presented at the CBDNA national conference. Her music is published through Alfred Music, G.Schirmer/AMP, and self-published through Swan Maiden Press. She is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP).

She is also the creator of Marrying Mr. Darcy, the Pride & Prejudice card game, and occasionally advocates and speaks on the topics of crowdfunding, game design, and arts entrepreneurship, with past appearances at the XOXO Festival and in a variety of gaming-related media. Originally from Whitewater, Wisconsin, she currently lives near Minneapolis. She is married to designer and graphic novelist Erik Evensen.