Dr. Erik Gibelyou is a guitar instructor and performing artist living in Geneva, New York. He believes that music enhances life through its powers of expression, benefits to mental health, and ability to grow a community. His solo classical guitar recitals present thematic programs played with superb technique and enriched by thoughtful commentary.

Erik’s journey with guitar began in his middle school rock band in mid-Michigan. He spent countless hours playing electric guitar in his bedroom and hosted high-decibel band rehearsals in his family’s garage. Erik fell in love with classical guitar thanks to an inspirational music professor at Saginaw Valley State University, thus launching his career in higher education. This brought him to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned master’s degrees in Guitar Performance and Music Theory. Erik later arrived at the Eastman School of Music to earn his doctoral degree and Performer’s Certificate, studying guitar with Nicholas Goluses and lute with Paul O’Dette. Erik went on to teach guitar, music theory, and music history courses at Saginaw Valley State University and Delta College.

Erik’s guitar group, Trio Ghidorah, redefines the modern guitar ensemble by using a variety of plucked-string instruments to realize their original musical arrangements. Selections from their album Dances and Fantasies have been played on public radio stations in New York and Ohio. The group performs widely, including appearances at the Eastman School of Music, Bloomsburg University (Pennsylvania), Oakland University (Michigan), and Kerrytown Concert House (Michigan). Erik has been a featured soloist for the Classical Guitar Society of Michigan, the Mid-Michigan Classical Guitar Society, the Madison Classical Guitar Society, and Rochester Classical Guitar, in addition to having appeared on numerous classical music series.

Erik has performed and given scholarly presentations at the Dublin Guitar Symposium, Michigan Classical Guitar Workshop, International Society of Bassists Convention, and The 21st Century Guitar conference. Erik served as Director of Outreach for OSSIA New Music, a student-led organization at Eastman, for whom he coordinated concerts in the community and frequently performed as electric guitarist. Erik founded the Sound Community Music Series, a monthly concert series in Midland, Michigan that features students and local professional musicians.

Erik enjoys teaching guitar one-on-one and maintains an active private studio. He has taught at many community music schools, including The Hochstein School and the Kanack School of Musical Artistry, and he currently teaches guitar at the Harley School.

“Lots of artistry, colors, control, and your joy of performing really comes through. Bravo!”

                        —Nicholas Goluses

Podcast

I had a lot of fun conversing with Anthony Caulkins on his podcast, Music in Mind. We talked about our time as students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, being a musician during the pandemic, teaching music in college, and Trio Ghidorah’s debut album, among many other things! Be sure to catch our free improvisation, too!

sound community music series

This monthly music series based in Midland, MI features local classical and jazz musicians. The first hour of each event is an opportunity for students, amateurs, and professionals to share musical performances. The second hour spotlights professional musicians as they perform a full-length concert. As the founder and organizer of the series, I have been honored to watch it grow since it started in August 2021, and I am excited to see it continue under the direction of Professor Colin Wood of Saginaw Valley State University. I am grateful to everyone who has supported or performed on the series, and thank you to Live Oak Coffeehouse and The Loft for being gracious hosts!

 RADIO

WXXI 91.5FM

In this interview with Mona Seghatoleslami for WXXI, Eastman composer Noah Kahrs and Erik Gibelyou talk about the student-led organization OSSIA New Music and what it is like to be board members for the group. They also discuss an upcoming OSSIA concert, and Erik talks about performing with OSSIA.

The Public Media Journalists Association awarded this story 2nd place in the Use of Sound category.

Originally aired on February 24, 2019

WAYO 104.3FM

Eastman composer Reilly Spitzfaden and Erik Gibelyou talk with Soundspace host Evan Meccarello. All manner of things relating to new music are discussed, including Reilly’s compositions, performing, OSSIA New Music, and the upcoming OSSIA concert “Rock, Paper, Wires.”

Originally aired on December 4th, 2018

PRESS

Finger Lakes Times

Description of Dr. Gibelyou’s solo recital, “Dancing on Six Strings,” presented by the Musical Moments series at the Geneva Public Library on September 13th, 2024.

The Valley vanguard

Audrey Bergey covers Dr. Erik Gibelyou’s Faculty Recital in this story for the Saginaw Valley State University student newspaper. This solo guitar recital took place in the Rhea Miller Recital Hall on September 10, 2021.

Rochester CITY Newspaper

Daniel J. Kushner’s writes about about Trio Ghidorah and our album release show for Dances and Fantasies at The Bop Shop in Rochester, NY on March 13, 2021.

Photo on Homepage: Gerry Szymanski