Erik Elmgren believes that the arts is where we practice how to solve our society’s most pressing challenges the only way we can: together. An arts leader, writer, and musician, Erik builds creative experiences which nurture our innate human capacities for collective action including attention, rigor, resilience, empathy, and artistry. 

Erik’s research and writing examines the intersection of arts practice and collective social change. His work touches on elements of community organizing, social psychology, teaching artistry, neuroscience, and higher education training. Equally at home with students beginning their journeys, professional artists defining their purpose, and communities imagining new futures, Erik’s mission is to create an ecosystem where artistic work empowers all people to become engaged citizens and advocates for change, equity, connection, and possibility in their communities. 

Erik serves as the Assistant Dean of Community Engagement and Teaching Artistry at the New England Conservatory of Music. In this role, he oversees the school’s Teaching Artistry Concentration, the first student training program of its kind at a major US conservatory. He also helps lead the school’s flagship Community Performances and Partnerships Program which works with conservatory students and community partners to create impactful programming throughout Boston. He is also deeply involved in community arts initiatives across the country, most notably serving as a frequent consultant for the work of Street Symphony in Los Angeles.

An award-winning saxophonist, Erik has performed around the world as a soloist and as a founding member of the Fuego Quartet. He has received competition prizes, including the Gold Medal at the 44th Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, 1st Prize at the 8th Plowman Chamber Music Competition, and 3rd prize at the MTNA National Young Artist Competition. He has performed as a concerto soloist with Hodgson Wind Ensemble at the University of Georgia and the University of Illinois Symphony Orchestra. Fuego Quartet’s debut album, Migration, was released in 2019 under the PARMA Recordings label.

Erik holds a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Saxophone Performance as well as a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from the University of Georgia. He also holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music and the University of Illinois.