Erin Dawson is a senior at the Morris County School of Technology’s Academy for Performing Arts at Morris Knolls High School in Denville, New Jersey. Her musical journey began in 2016, when she was accepted into the New Jersey Youth Choir. Erin spent four years training with the NJYC ensembles under the direction of Jodie Crotty, Tara Postigo, and Trish Joyce. She would like to extend special thanks to Mrs. Crotty for her dedication, musicianship, and lasting impact on Erin’s choral education.
Erin has performed with numerous prestigious honor ensembles, including the Morris Area Honor Choir (#1 Soprano 2, 2026), the NJSMA Region I Honor Choir (#1 Soprano 2, 2025 and 2026), and the NJMEA All-State Choir (#1 Soprano 2, 2025), participating every year she has been eligible. In 2025 performed with the ACDA National 11–12th Grade Honor Choir under the direction of Chris Maunu. In 2026 She will perform with the ACDA All-Eastern 9-12th Grade SATB Honor Choir under the direction of Marques L.A. Garrett.
In addition to her choral achievements, Erin has appeared in several musical theatre productions. Some of her favorite roles include Maria in The Sound of Music, Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family, and Gabriella Montez in High School Musical. She is also actively involved in the technical aspects of theatre, having served as Head of Hair and Wigs at Morris Knolls High School, as well as Music Director and Producer for the school’s most recent original musical.
Erin is an accomplished pianist and frequently accompanies the Morris Knolls High School choirs. She has studied piano for eight years with Julie Sauder of Flanders, New Jersey. In addition to her performance work, Erin is the President of the Morris Knolls High School Choral Department, where she serves as a leader for over 100 students. She also represents her program as a Student Ambassador for the Academy for Performing Arts.
Currently, Erin is interning at Copeland Middle School in Rockaway, New Jersey, where she is student-teaching a variety of music classes under the guidance of Ms. Nancy Brandler. After high school, Erin plans to pursue a degree in Music Education with the goal of becoming a high school choral director. She would like to express her deepest gratitude to Mrs. Kristen Markowski of Morris Knolls High School for shaping her into the musician and person she is today, and for being such an inspiring role model.
Organization Name: New Jersey Music Educators Association
Award Title: All-State Choir
Year: 2026
