Erin Lesser

I grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In grade four, students were given the opportunity to begin band instruments. I chose the french horn… Fortunately, the brass class met during the same time as my ballroom dancing lessons so I moved on to my second choice—the flute.

When I was 14, I went to hear my teacher play George Crumb’s Voice of the Whale. That is the first time I can remember being totally captivated by a performance. I went home and ordered the score and my love of contemporary music began!

That love continued through my studies at the University of Ottawa and the Manhattan School of Music, and has shaped my life in many ways since. I’ve been a member of groups like the Argento Chamber Ensemble, Wet Ink, Due East, Scarborough Trio, and Ensemble ACJW and have worked with great composers, premiered countless works and traveled the globe. I love the challenge of deciphering a new score, and the fact that every day is completely different.

I’m very excited to be a member of Alarm Will Sound and am looking forward to the myriad musical experiences that lay ahead.