Woman serves with love of piano

By Susan Wenner

Herald Staff Writer

 

 From her youth Erika Craig has been involved in music and now shares that love with her husband, Mike and 1 year old daughter, Briella. Yet, this passion has now brought her to a point of sharing her keyboard expertise with a new generation as she sets out as a piano teacher.

"Music runs deep in my family roots," she said. "So, naturally, my love for music developed. Then, I began taking piano and voice lessons around 12 years old. I have been blessed with several musical opportunities such as singing in the Caroling Company, singing for a Give Kids the World CD project, performing in Christmas plays, recording  a Christmas CD and singing/playing in my local church band at Metro Life in Casselberry."

This former Sanford resident now lives in Altamonte Springs. She shared that after several years of taking piano and voice lessons she was convicted that she was ready to teach others. She began a job at George's Music in Casselberry and taught there for some time as well as later teaching private lessons. 

"I had learned so much and I didn't want my knowledge to go to waste," she said. "I have taught from ages 5-50 but my specialty is teaching younger kids. At this age, they are so impressionable and developing a love for music in young kids really makes my job so worth while."

Over 3 years ago Craig met her husband, Mike. She cited that besides the fact that "he was so handsome," she was also attracted to his love for music. "I guess you could say I fell in love with the drummer," she mused. "His church happened to need a keyboard player so when we met we started playing together every Sunday morning and the rest is history. The next thing I knew, in 2013, I was planning my wedding. So I took some time off from teaching." 

The couple still play in the Metro Life church band on Sunday mornings and are part of the Alive Youth Band at the church. Their performances consist of Erika on piano and Mike on drums as they play for youth events and an upcoming Youth Camp at Lake Swan.

Craig added that she has a deep gratitude to her former teachers, family and inspiring famous musicians. "I will be forever grateful to you for giving me the love for music. It is truly an amazing gift that I hold dear. I have begun to teach again and could not be more excited. My plans for the future is to continue playing and teaching. I hope one day our children will understand our love for music as we teach them."

For more information about piano lessons contact Erika at erikalcraig@gmail.com.