BAND DIRECTOR
Mr. ERIK RIGGS
Mr. Riggs graduated from West Virginia State University with his degree in Music Education K-12 then attended East Carolina University for graduate work in Saxophone Performance and Jazz Studies. Following graduate school, he was selected as a member of the premiere cast of “Blast II: Shockwave,” the sequel to the Tony and Emmy award winning Broadway show, “Blast!” He performed for four months at Disney World’s EPCOT, then toured with the show for 189 performances in 46 states.
Following this tour, he began teaching in Wake County. His first year at East Millbrook Magnet School he was awarded both the New Teacher of the Year for the school as well as New Teacher of the Year for all of Wake County. This was followed by Teacher of the Year at EMMMS in 2009, the same year he earned his National Board Certification in Early and Middle Childhood Music. Mr. Riggs was recruited from Wake County Schools in 2011 to teach abroad at the Canadian International School of Singapore. Living in Singapore, he had the opportunity to travel, teach, and perform across Southeast Asia. Mr. Riggs has over fifteen years of experience as a music educator at the elementary, middle, high, and collegiate level. Under his direction, his students have participated in all available honors ensembles as well as received multiple Superior ratings at North Carolina MPA and competitions out of state.
Beyond his classroom experience, Mr. Riggs is an active performer and clinician. He has more than twenty years of experience teaching private woodwind lessons and working as a clinician for area high schools and universities. He has performed on stage with many prestigious jazz musicians and ensembles. He can be found locally performing with The Moonlighters Orchestra, Swing Street Big Band, The NC Revelers Orchestra, The Raleigh Jazz Orchestra, The Tar River Symphonic Band, and in the orchestra pit of Theatre Raleigh, Theatre in the Park, NC State University Theatre, and PlayMakers Repertory Company.
Following this tour, he began teaching in Wake County. His first year at East Millbrook Magnet School he was awarded both the New Teacher of the Year for the school as well as New Teacher of the Year for all of Wake County. This was followed by Teacher of the Year at EMMMS in 2009, the same year he earned his National Board Certification in Early and Middle Childhood Music. Mr. Riggs was recruited from Wake County Schools in 2011 to teach abroad at the Canadian International School of Singapore. Living in Singapore, he had the opportunity to travel, teach, and perform across Southeast Asia. Mr. Riggs has over fifteen years of experience as a music educator at the elementary, middle, high, and collegiate level. Under his direction, his students have participated in all available honors ensembles as well as received multiple Superior ratings at North Carolina MPA and competitions out of state.
Beyond his classroom experience, Mr. Riggs is an active performer and clinician. He has more than twenty years of experience teaching private woodwind lessons and working as a clinician for area high schools and universities. He has performed on stage with many prestigious jazz musicians and ensembles. He can be found locally performing with The Moonlighters Orchestra, Swing Street Big Band, The NC Revelers Orchestra, The Raleigh Jazz Orchestra, The Tar River Symphonic Band, and in the orchestra pit of Theatre Raleigh, Theatre in the Park, NC State University Theatre, and PlayMakers Repertory Company.