Biography

Enrico Arcaro’s musical ventures began in the unassuming hardcore scene in Staten Island, NY. After years spent as a composer in his bands, and performing as a sequencer-wielding, electro-acoustic solo artist, he began his academic music training in 2003. Instantly falling in love with theory and counterpoint, he began composing with notation in 2006. Heavily influenced by the epics of early Metallica, Radiohead and Indie bands such as Sunny Day Real Estate, Fugazi, Rollins Band, Lincoln, Shelter, and Quicksand, he has fused these influences with those gained throughout his academic journey, including Beethoven, Bach, Shostakovich, Chopin, and Debussy. A lover of extended harmonies mixed with sharp dissonance, Enrico’s music is most characterized by its odd meters, rhythmic motives, Indie rock emotionalism, ostinatos, rawness, and atmospheric grooves. His compositional goals include: Intensity and sincerity, upholding a communicative narrative, and balancing the dichotomous elements of sweetness and brutality.

Enrico obtained his Bachelors of Science in Music from CUNY College of Staten Island. He studied guitar with Prof. Ed Brown, piano with Dr. Yoojin Oh, and composition with Dr. David Keberle. He graduated with honors, receiving the Ted McIrvine Memorial Award for Academic Excellence in Performing & Creative Arts, as well as the CSI Foundation Prize for Outstanding Music by Students. At NYU Steinhardt, where he studied Composition with Justin Dello Joio, while obtaining his Master of Music in Music Theory & Composition; he was awarded a string quartet residency position for his quartet Solitary Refinement, and was named winner of NYU’s Takemitsu Project composition contest for his work Fifth Dimension. In 2011, Enrico was awarded an Original Work Grant by COAHSI, as well as an excellence grant to present his works during Staten Island’s Summerfest. On December 2nd, 2011, Enrico premiered “Impressions of the Human Condition” in fulfillment of the Original Work Grant. The event showcased a collection of narrative chamber music, unified by the emotive-themes of strife and perseverance. 

Enrico is currently an adjunct professor at The College of Staten Island, instructor at Rustic Music, as well as a private instructor of guitar, composition, piano and music theory. As a teacher, Enrico aims to relay the wisdom gained from his diverse musical experiences. Through cultivating technique, theoretical understanding, individual inspirations, and nurturing each student’s unique musical voice, he strives to instill awareness of music’s communicative power, urging his students to use their musicianship as a vehicle of self-expression.

In addition to being a musical artist, Enrico is also and painter and dedicated martial artist. Under the tutelage of Sifu Paula Wong at Shaolin Kung fu Temple in Staten Island, NY, Enrico achieved the rank of First Degree Black Belt in Spring 2017. As an artist, Enrico’s landscape paintings have been featured as cover art for bands such as Audiometry and In the Now. His paintings are displayed in New York City, and have been sold internationally.