ARTISTIC BIOGRAPHY
Erik Rasmussen's unique and colorful tenor voice has been described as "youthful, amusing, and crowd-pleasing." (Brooklyn Discovery) Hailing from Brentwood, New York, his sensitive artistry and instinctual stagecraft have led him to thrill audiences across the United States. Equally at home with a variety of genres including opera, oratorio, art song, and more, he was awarded first prize at the 2020 NATS Central New York Finger Lakes Region competition in the Upper Advanced College/Independent Studio category.
As an operatic soloist, Rasmussen has appeared in numerous leading and supporting roles such as Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi with the Queens College Opera (canceled due to COVID-19), Oronte in Alcina with the Amadeus Opera Company, Jonathan in a semi-staged production of Saul and King Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors with the Arnold Schwartz Memorial Concert Series, Camille de Rosillon in The Merry Widow with the Hillman Opera, and more. Most recently, he was featured as L'Huissier in Jean-Romain Vesperini's new production of Saint-Saëns' Henri VIII with Bard SummerScape, which was featured as a New York Times Critic's Pick. In concert, Rasmussen has presented works by Benjamin Britten and Adolphus Hailstork in a recital titled Illuminations of Love and Justice at The Interchurch Center and LeFrak Concert Hall with internationally-renowned pianist Cullan Bryant, has performed as the tenor soloist in Bach's Magnificat at The Riverside Church of New York City under the direction of Christopher Creaghan, and the tenor soloist in Handel's Messiah with the Lake Junaluska Singers under the direction of Mary Huff. Having an appreciation and aptitude for new music, Rasmussen has been involved in the performing of several world premieres, including Jason Leger Handron's Three Poems by Stephen Crane and Matthew Jihoon Pellegrino's Love Songs from the Lost Lands with the Ethos New Music Society, Gilda Lyons' Momotombo and Richard Einhorn's The Luminous Ground with Musica Viva NY, Timothy Amukele's Blessed Be The Lord God of Israel from What Sweeter Music with Courtney's Stars of Tomorrow, and Persis Vehar's SHOT! with Nickel City Opera.
As a choral freelancer in the New York City area, Rasmussen frequently performs with the Bard Festival Chorale under the direction of James Bagwell and Leon Botstein. He has augmented the choruses of Musica Viva NY under the direction of Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez and Trent Johnson, Master Voices' live movie performance of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring at Radio City Music Hall with the Lviv Philharmonic Orchestra, the Leon Thompson Men's Chorus under the direction of Courtney Carey, the Riverside Church of New York City with Christopher Johnson and Christopher Creaghan, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine with Kent Tritle, and more. Rasmussen has also appeared in several vocal quartet recitals with the Christ Chapel Chamber Series at The Riverside Church and the Noontime Recital Series at The Interchurch Center.
Rasmussen earned his Master of Music from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College and his Bachelor of Music from the SUNY Fredonia School of Music. He has participated in summer training programs at Classical Singing and New York in June, Spotlight on Opera, and SongFest, and has served as a resident staff singer at the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center for two consecutive summers. He is currently a soloist and section leader at The Congregational Church of Manhasset and teaches private voice and beginning piano lessons in the Long Island, New York area and virtually. Outside of music, he is passionate about indoor gardening, his pet cats, and furniture flipping.