Erika Carper is an English educator turned operatic mezzo from the quaint town of Elkview, West Virginia. She began singing opera at Otterbein University in 2021, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and her teaching licensure in Adolescent/Young Adult Education. After studying with Peggy Kohler for two years during her 3rd and 4th year of undergrad, Erika fell in love with classical music and decided to pursue her lifelong dream of performing. 

Since then, Erika has played the roles of Leonora in Il trionfo dell’onore with La Musica Lirica in Novafeltria, Italy and Thelma in Later The Same Evening at Otterbein University, a role which she reprised at the Columbus Museum of Art. She also recently covered the role of Annio in La Clemenza di Tito at Peabody Conservatory and played Emma Jones in Weill's Street Scene their this fall. 

In addition to music, Erika is passionate about social justice and public education. During her time spent in Columbus City Schools, she was recognized with the Joining Hands Award for excellence in student teaching. She continues exercising her passion for education working as a graduate assistant with Peabody's Learning Innovation team, which focuses on optimizing the conservatory's course development. 

She is also a proud student leader and ambassador for Q to Q: A Virtual Space for Female Presenting Queer Creatives, a group that provides open and safe conversations monthly for female presenting queer musicians.

Erika is currently pursuing her Master's in Opera at the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, studying under Betsy Bishop.