Erika Ji

Biography

I’m a cross-genre composer-storyteller who loves soaring melodies, dream worlds, and big passion. I’m inspired by the epic energy of nouveau cirque, the lush soundscapes of classical orchestras, the character-driven storytelling of musical theatre, the immersive power of film & game music, and the authentic heart of indie & nomad folk songs.

I'm fascinated by stories that challenge our preconceptions about what we think is true, good, right, or worth wanting. And my favorite stories make me laugh, cry, feel, and think.

My work has been featured Off-Broadway and around the world by Broadway's Future Songbook at Lincoln Center, the Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, the Nadia Boulanger Institute, and the Musical Theatre Factory at Joe's Pub at the Public Theater. Current projects include Yoko's Husband's Killer's Japanese Wife, Gloria (commissioned by the 5th Avenue Theatre), VISARE (an immersive circus experience and concept album), Untitled Hat Project (a tiny immersive experience at an eclectic hatmaker's studio), and music directing/assisting for new works like The Tattooed Lady and Virgin Voyages's immersive show/party Scarlet Night.

As a conductor, pianist, and vocalist, I've performed on national TV for CBS Sunday Morning, at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, and for house concerts across the country.

I was a Tisch Fellow at the NYU Tisch Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program and will attend the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop starting in Fall 2022.

I am Chinese American. I grew up in California, studied computer science and philosophy at Stanford University, organized the Viennese Ball in San Francisco, and built products at Dropbox before deciding to follow the music.

The most beautiful thing in the world to me is people who care deeply.