Harpist Erica Goodman has been hailed as one of the world’s pre-eminent solo harpists, praised for her instrumental mastery, poetic expression and brilliant technique.

A native of Toronto, Erica Goodman received her training at the Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto), the National Music Camp (Interlochen Michigan) and the Curtis Institute of Music (Philadelphia). Already a concert performer in her teens, Erica played under the baton of Igor Stravinsky during recording sessions in Toronto.

While at Curtis, Erica was a concerto soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Upon finishing her studies, conductor Mario Bernardi chose her to be a member of the newly formed National Arts Centre Orchestra. As harpist for the NAC, she performed Harry Somers’ “Suite for Harp and Chamber Orchestra” at the orchestra’s New York debut performance.

Erica‘s love of chamber music is highlighted by her long association with numerous soloists and ensembles, including flutist Robert Aitken, oboist Lawrence Cherney, Trio Lyra, Tapestry New Opera Works and the newly formed Trio Désirée. Her collaboration with Swedish horn virtuoso Sören Hermansson has resulted in discovering old works and commissioning new ones for French horn and harp; two recordings of that repertoire are available on the BIS label.

Erica Goodman is a charter member of New Music Concerts with whom she has recorded three albums for Naxos, featuring the music of Toru Takemitsu (Gramophone magazine Editor’s Choice award), George Crumb and Elliott Carter. Two recently released recordings on the CMC’s Centrediscs label spotlight the music of Jeffrey Ryan and Marjan Mozetich.

Ms. Goodman has encouraged many prominent Canadian composers to write major works for harp, including works by composers Oskar Morawetz, Alexina Louie, Milton Barnes, Harry Freedman, Lothar Klein, Rodney Sharman and Chris Paul Harman.

In 1995, Erica won a Juno Award for her BIS solo recording Erica Goodman Plays Canadian Harp Music. In 1980, her BIS recording Flute and Harp, with flutist Robert Aitken, was awarded the Grand Prix du Disque. NOW Magazine selected her as “Best Canadian Classical Musician” in its 1996 Best of Toronto readers’ Poll.

Erica Goodman is currently a member of Toronto’s Esprit Orchestra with whom she performed Alex Pauk’s harp concerto on the orchestra’s inaugural European tour in 1999. She also plays in the Hamilton Philharmonic and is frequently featured as a concerto soloist.