soundtracksyouplay

Kurt Erickson, a critically acclaimed composer, grew up in Fresno, California in the Dark Ages before cell phones and the Internet, where he could be found spending countless hours at the piano, lost in the blissful raptures of Beethoven, boogie- woogie, and other assorted classical and not-so-classical music composers. Now residing in Northern California, he currently serves as composer-in-residence with San Francisco’s LIEDER ALIVE! His works have been commissioned and performed by leading artists, including the late countertenor Brian Asawa, the Minnesota Orchestra, San Francisco Girls Chorus, Festival Opera, and San Francisco Opera’s Ballet Master Lawrence Pech. While in his twenties, he served multi-year composer residencies at the Grace Cathedral and The National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi. He currently directs the Neue Lieder composer commissioning program, and has mentored young composers at music festivals, universities, and music conservatories. During the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, a new soprano and orchestra song set will be performed domestically and internationally by a consortium of orchestras. He is a frequent performer with his wife, acclaimed soprano Heidi Moss Erickson. www.kurterickson.com Mike Biskup is an accomplished contemporary watercolorist whose subjects range from improvisational, imaginary landscapes to whimsical illustrations. Born in 1970 in Los Angeles, he comes from a family historically rich in artists, poets, and dreamers. As early as he can remember, he was voraciously drawing quirky dudes and funky hot rods with his two older brothers. He also cherished building contraptions, and telling tall tales. His paintings have long been featured in his adopted town of Port Townsend, Washington, and more recently in galleries in Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, and more. His works can be found in the collection of Oscar-winning actress Patricia Arquette and many others around the world. As a singer-songwriter, he has penned over one hundred songs under his own name and with his brother, Tim, as ＂Big Butter.＂ Mike’s creativity is rooted in his belief that we humans, in all our diversity, are essentially interconnected, and with thoughtfulness can function together harmoniously. You’ll often find Mike at home creating in his art/music studio, cooking with his three teenage children, growing vegetables in the family garden, or enjoying the company of his true love Laura. www.mikebiskup.com.