Erika May – better known as EMay – has been called the ”Renaissance Queen of the Pittsburgh Scene”. She was awarded a Pittsburgh Creativity Project award through the STUDIO and Heinz Endowments in 2009 for her “contributions to Pittsburgh’s cultural landscape” both on stage and behind the scenes, and has been called “one of the most multi -talented artists you will ever come across” (grassrootsy.com). She has performed on all the major stages in Pittsburgh, spearheaded budding artistic organizations, and assisted in the operations of large-scale events.
Born in raised outside of Boston, MA, Erika moved back to her mother’s hometown of Pittsburgh in 2001 and quickly fell in love with the landscapes, the nature of the locals, the enthusiastic originality and fearless grassroots nature of the arts communities. She graduated with a BFA in Fine Art from Carnegie Mellon University in 2005 and is “determined to apply her creativity to every available surface” (Pittsburgh City Paper). By day, she works for Saturday Light Brigade, a non-profit radio program dedicated to family-friendly programming and youth voices.
By night, EMay wears many hats. She is a singer/songwriter and recording artist who has appeared on a dozen recordings over several genres. She releases demos online and is currently recording her first solo album. Notable past projects include Kirik Hava, Between Liberties, and Moquette Vollant. She collaborates regularly, and has performed as support for many national acts including Dar Williams, Raquy and the Cavemen, Toubab Krewe, Erik Mongrain, Eastern Blok and more.
Erika has performed for many recognizable institutions and events, including TedXWomen, First Night Pittsburgh, Sprout Fund’s Hot House, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s annual Gala, The Children’s Museum’s Tough Art series, WYEP Summer Music Festival, Punxatawny Groundhogs day Celebration, Women Rock at the August Wilson Center, SWAN Days presented by the No Name Players, Sunstar Music Festival at Kelly Strayhorn Theater, and many more.
EMay is co-founder of Steel Town Fire, Pittsburgh’s premier Fire Arts performance group. She co-founded the Pittsburgh Fire Arts collective in 2006 and sat on the board of directors for Pyrotopia – the East Coast’s first public festival for Fire Arts. She has studied dance under Nick Woolsey, Zafira Dance Company and Rachel Brice, and has taught poi, bellydance, and musical improvisation to children, adults, and special needs individuals.
Professionally, EMay is well versed in event planning, production and promotion, including work with the City of Pittsburgh’s Special Events Department, the Pittsburgh Marathon, Pittsburgh International Children’s Festival, and more. She volunteers through the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council’s BVA program and offers affordable consultation and coaching to artists in Allegheny County.
EMay is a professional writer with publications across a broad spectrum of outlets, including poetry reviews, professional journals, and music industry blogs. She is a sought-after public speaker and panelist, fluidly incorporating her performative talents into speaking engagements.
In 2007, EMay partnered with Your Inner Vagabond coffeehouse & world lounge to create “Pittsburgh’s biggest living room” – an award-winning listening room and dance stage in the Lawrenceville neighborhood. She served as Program Director, Production Manager and Sound Engineer during her tenure. She has been a live engineer, produced and organized events for many other venues across the Pittsburgh region.
EMay lives in the Mount Washington neighborhood and spends sunny days hiking around the Emerald View trail system with Poppa Dukes, her dog. She enjoys cooking, gardening, swimming, journaling, snowboarding, reading, cycling, volunteering, conversing with old friends and meeting new people.
You can learn more about her interests, inspirations and inclinations by asking her directly, or subscribing to her facebook feed.
“Let the beauty you love be what you do” ~ Rumi
