Growing up in Mid-Michigan, Erik spent countless hours playing various styles of guitar in rock bands and practicing at home. He fell in love with classical guitar as an undergraduate at Saginaw Valley State University thanks to an inspirational guitar professor, Dr. Brad DeRoche. Erik went on to earn master’s degrees in Guitar Performance and Music Theory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Erik earned his doctoral degree and Performer’s Certificate at the Eastman School of Music, studying guitar with Nicholas Goluses and lute with Paul O’Dette. Dr. Gibelyou taught guitar, music theory, and music history at Saginaw Valley State University and Delta College.
Erik’s guitar group, Trio Ghidorah, redefines the modern guitar ensemble by using a variety of plucked-string instruments to realize their original musical arrangements. Their recordings have been heard on public radio, and they have given concerts across New York state and the Midwest. Erik’s appearances as performer or presenter include the Dublin Guitar Symposium, Rome Chamber Music Festival, and International Society of Bassists Convention, among many others.
Erik maintains an active private studio and teaches at The Harley School in Rochester and St. Francis – St. Stephen School in Geneva. He and his wife, Taylor Solano, founded the Finger Lakes Guitar Club.