Erika B. Locke-Williams

Erika Locke-Williams is a native of West Palm Beach, Florida and under the instruction of her parents, developed and nourished her talent as a musician. After high school graduation, Erika attended Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida and in 1996 earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education. Her principal instruments were the trombone and piano. Erika continued her education in music and attended The Florida State University as a vocal and piano major and earned a Masters of Music Education degree in 1997.

Erika began her teaching career in 1997 in Tallahassee, Florida as a middle school chorus, orchestra and general music teacher. A year later, she transferred middle schools in Tallahassee and taught her major area of band. After 4 years of teaching service in Tallahassee, Erika relocated to Atlanta, Georgia where she was the Director of Bands at an area High School and Middle School in the Dekalb County School System. Erika’s bands performed in many televised shows, parades, movies as well as the weekly football games. Erika is also credited with composing and arranging several band compositions which are performed by many bands in Georgia and Florida.

After teaching in Atlanta for 3 years, Erika decided to take her talents back home to West Palm Beach, Florida. In 2004, Erika was appointed the Director of Bands at Lake Worth Middle School and Choral/Piano Director at U. B. Kinsey Elementary School of the Arts. Erika continues to enhance the lives of young musicians through instrumental performance. In addition, Erika also expanded her career options and is also an adjunct professor at the Lake Worth Campus and the Eissey Campus of Palm Beach Community College. Furthermore, she is a professor of music at Miami Dade College-West Campus.

Erika began matriculating at Nova Southeastern University in January of 2006 in the Fischler School of Education with a concentration in Instructional Leadership and a minor in Adult Education. Erika has completed all coursework (ABD-All But Dissertation) and anticipates completing the Doctor of Education degree by June of 2009.