Matthew Erickson, M.M.

Biography 

Appointed in February 2026, Matthew Erickson serves the Augustana University School of Music as interim dean. He began at Augustana in August 2022 and has served as director of operations & community partnerships and director of instrumental studies. Additionally, he serves as instructor of trombone and euphonium and conductor of the Augustana Trombone and Brass Choirs. Erickson previously chaired the Augustana Administrators and Coaches Council, representing administrators and coaches across campus, and serves the Sioux Falls community through leadership roles on several non-profit boards, focusing on public utility infrastructure and the performing arts.
 
 Erickson earned a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of South Dakota and a Master of Music in Trombone Performance from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He is pursuing a Doctorate in Interdisciplinary Leadership at Creighton University. From 2000-22, he performed more than 1,800 engagements as a trombonist with the United States Air Force Bands, including performances for five U.S. presidents and numerous international leaders. In leadership roles, he directed global operations for three Air Force Bands, coordinating performances across 45 countries and collaborating with artists ranging from the New York Philharmonic to American Idol. His service awards include the National Medal of Arts in 2019, John L. Levitow  Award, Distinguished Graduate distinction from two service academies and numerous Meritorious Service Medals and Air and Space Force Commendation Medals.

Erickson has performed with ensembles including the San Antonio Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, Omaha Symphony, South Dakota Symphony Orchestra and Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra. Erickson is a S.E. Shires Performing Artist.