coaching ice hockey, her mother for being a guardian angel and dialysis nurse to many patients, and her younger sister a scholar in the academic and athletic world. If anything, Erika learned at a young age, it is more than possible to find something you believe in and have a passion for. If you ever visit the Cole household and watch the dozens of home videos, you will see what was evident as being Erika’s love; Singing. Ever since imitating The Sound of Music, LeAnn Rimes, and Celine Dion, Erika has been hooked on that drug called “music.”
Growing up in a very small suburban farm town in New York State, it was hard to venture into her love of music. She would often wonder where she could find out more about this world of music. That is where a very important woman stepped into her life, her elementary school’s new music teacher, Ms.Sue Brooke. She brought in arrangements that had the students all excited, but Erika could not believe that finally the world of music was introduced to her. Erika will forever be grateful to this wonderful musician, mentor, and friend for bringing passion into her life and opening the door to her future.
Over the years following those elementary days, Erika rapidly progressed in her exposure to music. Her high school did not have a musical theory class, but she was able to slide into open doors and experience as much music as she possibly could in her hometown. She was involved in four All County Choruses, Area All State Choir, NYS Selected All-State Mixed Choir, TriArts Professional Summer Theatre in Connecticut, and scored a 98% on a NYSSMA rating level 6. She was classically trained and took private vocal lessons for five years, up until her Senior year of high school. As Class President, Chorus Vice President and Theatre Guild President, Erika knew that she would have a busy Senior year but was hoping more than anything to find the perfect place for her after her high school years.
Her decision to apply to Berklee College of Music came after she received the role of Aida in Elton John and Time Rice’s Rock-Musical “Aida.” It was with the experience of ‘Aida,’ when she realized that it was on a stage singing a song when her heart truly was able to open up. Erika experienced true emotion when she stood on a stage and sang, and she knew that she found her “love” in a very special thing called music. To be able to identify to a song and pour your soul into every syllable sung was something that came naturally, and it was something that Erika knew she had to take hold to and never let go. Music is what molded Erika into the young woman she is today, and with music is where she’s met her best friends, developed self-confidence, and connected with peers and strangers alike. And it is music that led her to Boston, MA to Berklee College of Music.
At Berklee, Erika has been able to grow more musically then ever imaginable. She has gained so much knowledge and experience. She is eternally grateful for the yellow brick road of life for paving her way to Berklee. Blessed is an understatement for this young woman. She has a beautiful life full of friends, family, passion, hope, and the magic of music. And she is eternally grateful to have found that magic. More than anything, Erika hopes to one day move to Nashville and pursue her dreams of leading a life consumed by
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