Dr. Erika Clippinger, a native of Silver Springs, Florida, is a freelance bassoonist and contrabassoonist in New York City and on Long Island.

She received a Doctor of Musical Arts from Michigan State University, where she acted as a Graduate Teaching Assistant to the bassoon studio.

Prior to Michigan State, Dr. Clippinger received a Master of Arts in Bassoon Performance from The University of Central Florida, a Master of Music from Oklahoma City University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Stetson University. She has held teaching assistantships for music theory and quintet and chamber music performance in addition to the studio teaching assistantship. Her primary teachers include Mr. Michael Kroth, Dr. Yoon Joo Hwang, Dr. Anna Henson, and Dr. Ashley Heintzen.

Erika plays on a Bell bassoon, and in early 2026 will play a Fox 920 contrabassoon.

Dr. Clippinger previously acted as stage manager for the Battle Creek Symphony in Battle Creek, MI., and adjunct professor of double reeds at The College of Central Florida in Ocala, FL.

An avid researcher, Erika has spent her academic time outside of bassoon focusing on Korean traditional and popular music, Korean music education, and language. She is also a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, and has performed with the Chelsea Symphony (NY), Long Island Festival Orchestra (NY), Orlando Philharmonic (FL), The Villages Philharmonic (FL), Brevard Symphony Orchestra (FL), and Battle Creek Symphony (MI). She toured briefly with Andrea Bocelli in 2021 and Celtic Woman in 2023.

When not performing or teaching, Erika can be often be found at local coffee shops or playing with her cats, Theia and Minerva. She currently resides in the New York Metro area.