Biography

Carly Sage Erst (born 1996) is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Composition at Butler University, studying with Dr. Michael Schelle. Erst holds a B.M. in Music Education from Anderson University and currently teaches percussion at Cathedral High School. Her musical style is generally experimental in nature, with overtones of sarcasm, satire, and pessimistic humor (see the piece You are safe. You are calm. You are in Control). Most of her works fall outside the realm of traditional tonality and she enjoys delving into techniques such as graphic notation. She is also beginning to explore the world of electronics, often mingling acoustic music with electronics and plans to continue this style, along with creating strictly electronic pieces as she studies with Dr. Frank Felice. 

 

Erst created the first student-led new music ensemble at Anderson University where a number of her works, along with several other works of student composers in central Indiana, were performed. Erst’s music was also selected to be performed on new music concerts hosted by Anderson University. The Jordan College of the Arts Composer’s Orchestra has also performed Erst’s works.

 

In her free time, Erst enjoys knitting, tabletop games, and going for walks in scenic areas with her dog, Floki as well as spending time with her pet bird, Arvo Parrot, and her pet snake, Mollymauk. Erst plans on continuing her education by pursuing a doctorate degree in Composition after her graduation at Butler.