Described as 'one of the leading composer-pianists of his generation' (Musical Opinion), Eric McElroy has concertized throughout North America and Europe and been praised for both his 'stunning virtuosity' and 'rapturous aplomb' (Seen and Heard International). A prolific composer, Eric has written for solo piano, voice, choir, orchestra, and various chamber ensembles, with works receiving performances in Germany, Austria, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Eric has become especially known for his song-settings of contemporary poets, including Gregory Leadbetter, Grevel Lindop, Ruth Fainlight, Alice Oswald, Dunstan Ward, and W.S. Merwin. Tongues of Fire, a CD of Eric's song-cycles performed by the composer alongside the distinguished tenor James Gilchrist, was released by Somm Recordings in 2023. A CD of songs by Ivor Gurney with baritone Marcus Farnsworth will be released by Naxos in October 2024, and further CDs are forthcoming from Somm in 2025.
The brother of the flutist Colleen McElroy, Eric began piano studies with his mother at the age of three. From the age of ten, he studied with Maria Sier of Snohomish County. In addition to his wide-ranging involvement in twentieth-century repertoire, Eric is a proponent of the music of living composers. He has worked on many occasions with student composers and has also participated in masterclasses and concerts with some of the leading composers of our time, including Frederic Rzewski, John Joubert, Howard Skempton, Ian Venables, Lowell Liebermann, Karlheinz Essl, Edwin Roxburgh, and HK Gruber. He is the Editor of the Arthur Bliss Society Journal. Eric frequently combines his expertise as a performer and researcher through lecture-recitals that explore the intersection of music with cultural history, which he has presented internationally.
Eric received his Bachelor’s degree with Gerald Berthiaume at Washington State University, with additional studies with Jeffrey Gilliam at Western Washington University. In 2014, Eric moved to Vienna, Austria where he obtained a Master’s degree under Klaus Sticken at Musik und Kunst Privatuniversität der Stadt Wien. He was the only pianist of his graduating class to pass with full honours (mit Auszeichnung bestanden). In 2015, Eric won the prestigious Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Young Artist Composition Competition, and he remains the only person ever to have won the Washington State Music Association Competition, the highest award for collegiate pianists in the state of Washington, in both piano and composition. In 2017, Eric completed an Advanced Diploma in Professional Performance with distinction at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire where he studied with Mark Bebbington and Margaret Fingerhut. He received his doctorate in 2023 under the supervision of Daniel Grimley from the University of Oxford.
Eric received his Bachelor’s degree with Gerald Berthiaume at Washington State University, with additional studies with Jeffrey Gilliam at Western Washington University. In 2014, Eric moved to Vienna, Austria where he obtained a Master’s degree under Klaus Sticken at Musik und Kunst Privatuniversität der Stadt Wien. He was the only pianist of his graduating class to pass with full honours (mit Auszeichnung bestanden). In 2015, Eric won the prestigious Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Young Artist Composition Competition, and he remains the only person ever to have won the Washington State Music Association Competition, the highest award for collegiate pianists in the state of Washington, in both piano and composition. In 2017, Eric completed an Advanced Diploma in Professional Performance with distinction at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire where he studied with Mark Bebbington and Margaret Fingerhut. He received his doctorate in 2023 under the supervision of Daniel Grimley from the University of Oxford.