Erika Person
CERTIFIED LIFE COACH | ARTIST
Hi, I'm Erika!
I Am a Certified Life Coach and Certified Grief Educator.
I call on my training at the Life Purpose Institute, David Kessler’s Grief Educator Certification Program, and my personal experience to coach people through life transitions and their accompanying grief. These transitions include: finding a new purpose after experiencing the loss of a loved one, creating a new career or life after the loss of a job or ability, connecting with your heart’s deepest desires after the loss of a relationship, and more. As a coach, I will hold space for you to talk about your grief, we will explore ways to process (but not rush) it, and we will seek new pathways that align with your values and your desire to live a rich and meaningful life after loss. As a Certified Grief Educator, I am committed to providing the highest level of grief support through education, experience, and insights into the often unacknowledged rocky terrain of grief.
I Am a Visual Artist.
I found my way back to painting after a 25 year hiatus (in which I focused on music; see below!), upon returning to my native California. Painting kept me sane during the Covid-19 pandemic, and it helped me to process and express my feelings following the death of my parents. I’ve always been interested in the healing power of art and music. I derive great healing through creating art, and it is my deep desire that my art will connect my collectors with their own feelings. Bonus for me: the more I paint, the messier I get. Since painting (to me) is about releasing emotions from the body and expressing them onto canvas, if I’m making a mess, then I know I’m free. I’m inspired lately by the Japanese art of kintsugi (mending broken pottery with gold) – it’s a beautiful metaphor for recovering after a loss, and it also satisfies my inner magpie’s desire for shiny things!
I Am a Performing Artist and Teacher.
I grew up singing, and the more I did it, the more I wanted to do it! I received bachelors and masters degrees in music, and sang professionally for 25 years. While this isn’t my current career focus, I will always consider myself a performing artist. As an opera singer, I performed at Carnegie Hall, New York City Center, the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, with regional opera companies across the U.S., and I toured North America and England with the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players. (G&S is like musical theater for classical singers!) There is something incredibly joyful about connecting with others through music-making, and there are few things that can compare to the experience. I maintain a small studio of voice and beginning piano students; please inquire about availability if you are interested in deepening your connection to your own voice!