Erik Tans

With over 25 years of experience in the music world, Erik Tans has done a bit of everything—from owning a recording studio in Boston to touring the U.S. and Europe. He’s a Berklee College of Music graduate with a dual Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Sound Production, which means he is as comfortable behind a mixing board as he is with a guitar in his hands teaching or performing.

As a performer, Erik has spent years on the road and in the studio with the band Tiger Saw. He’s had the pleasure to perform across Europe and the US with some incredible artists like The Dirty Projectors, Deer Tick, and Mount Eerie. His playing and writing can be heard on several albums released by the Burst and Bloom label as well as a self-released title he composed and recorded with Torben Pastore of the band Lilys. He also spent years on the business side of things, owning a recording studio in downtown Boston and working with a classical record label, giving him a big-picture view of music that he loves to share with his students.

Erik tailors his instruction to meet diverse learning styles, often blending structured technique with the same playful, game-based strategies he developed running summer camps and improvisation classes to make music feel dynamic rather than daunting. Whether a student is aiming for high-level mastery or simply wants to learn their new favorite song, Erik is committed to fostering a growth mindset and a lifelong appreciation for the instrument.