Erika Tazawa enjoys a dynamic and multifaceted career as a conductor, pianist, and vocal coach, celebrated for her versatility and artistic insight. She was appointed Director of Choral Activities at Wayne State University in 2025, following positions at Kennesaw State University, Georgia Tech, and Emory University.

A sought-after conductor and clinician, Tazawa regularly leads honor choirs and festival ensembles, and is a frequent collaborator with community and collegiate choirs. Equally at home on the stage as a pianist, she performs with the contemporary music ensemble Bent Frequency and maintains an active schedule as an orchestral keyboardist. Her performances include engagements with some of the nation’s premier ensembles, among them the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and The Cleveland Orchestra.

Tazawa holds degrees in piano performance from the State University of New York at Potsdam and a Doctor of Musical Arts in choral conducting from the University of Georgia.