NEW YORK CITY, USA // Erika Elliott is a recognized leader known for her creative programming vision. Over the last thirty years she has held a variety of roles within the music industry, currently the Executive Artistic Director at City Parks Foundation’s SummerStage festival. As the longest standing Programming Director in the festival’s 30+ year history, having served the organization for 20 years, she has played a pivotal role in the festival’s success. Under her leadership the attendance and notoriety of the entire festival has grown exponentially. City Parks Foundation is the largest presenter of free Arts and Culture in New York City, annually presenting performances at SummerStage in Central Park,as well as parks across the five boroughs, as well as three days of Charlie Parker Jazz Festival. Originally from Los Angeles, Ms Elliott joined the staff of Loud Records in 1996, working in both the marketing and promotion departments on seminal Hip-Hop projects such as Wu-Tang’s Forever, and Big Punishers Capital Punishment. Erika then spent 2+ years in the Artist Development department of RCA Music Group developing the careers of Christina Aguilera, David Gray, and Foo Fighters among many others.

In 2001 she was hired as Talent Buyer / Director of Urban Music at S.O.B’s (a 500 capacity NYC Club). At S.O.B’s she created and developed the SOULCITY series, which launched the careers of then unsigned artists John Legend, Anthony Hamilton, Ledisi, and Kanye West. She is currently the elected Vice President of the New Chapter of The Recording Academy and on the editorial board for the PBS affiliated All Arts network. Erika is the founder of NYMPF (New York Music Festivals and Presenters) an informal organization of New York area presenters, producers and promoters that meets quarterly to share information and best practices. She also serves on the Bronx Music and Heritage Center music advisory committee.