MUSE • Musicians United for Social Equity

Biography

​Erika Ito is a Japanese composer, orchestrator, and lyricist. Her journey in the world of music began at a young age, as the melodies of composer Alan Menken deeply inspired her. From there, she delved into composing her own music at 13 years old. Erika’s dedication led her to Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she pursued her passion for film scoring and was honored with the Michael Kamen Award for her work in the field.

After completing her studies, Erika found herself contributing to various musical theater productions in New York City as an orchestrator, pianist, and musical director. Seeking further growth, she ventured to the Netherlands and earned a Master’s Degree in Music from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. During her time there, she collaborated with local Dutch filmmakers on several documentaries and fiction films.

​Erika’s journey then took her across the globe as she served as an interpreter and musician on cruise ships, gaining invaluable experiences while traveling to over 50 countries. Upon returning to Japan, she channeled her creativity into composing music for TV shows and video games, including the widely popular PS4 game “Let It Die,” which has been downloaded over 8 million times worldwide.

In recent years, Erika has poured her heart into crafting musical theater songs. Her premieres of “Mother Russia,” “Camouflage Can’t Hide Me,” and “Better Off With You” at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively, marked significant milestones in her career. Notably, her musical, “Tomorrow, by the Sea,” received well-deserved recognition, winning the Kennedy Center’s Musical Theatre Award and the Pipeline Arts Foundation Award in 2024.

Erika finds joy in collaborating with musicians, writers, and lyricists from diverse backgrounds worldwide, embracing the beauty of cultural exchange and artistic expression.