Erik Barsness grew up in South Saint Paul, Minnesota and started playing percussion in his elementary school band. He received his Bachelors Degree in percussion performance from the University of Minnesota. Erik lived in Stockholm, Sweden where he studied for 3 years at the Royal College of Music in Sweden. He graduated with his Masters Degree in percussion from the Royal College of Music and received a Fulbright Scholarship for these studies.

Erik has performed throughout the world as a soloist and as a member of various ensembles. He performs regularly with the percussion group CRASH, with performances throughout the US as well as tours to Russia and Cuba. Erik is the percussionist with the Minneapolis Pops Orchestra and has performed with many Twin Cities musical organizations including the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Vocal Essence, MN Children's Theater, and MN Dance Theater's annual productions of "The Nutcracker" and "Carmina Burana."

Erik has received several awards from the American Composers Forum, the Jerome Foundation and was a finalist for the McKnight Fellowship along with members of the Minnesota Percussion Trio. In addition to his active performing career, Erik maintains a private teaching studio of in-person and online lessons. Erik is fascinated by languages and if he wasn't a percussionist he would be a linguist. You can find more about Erik at www.ErikBarsness.com