UNCOMPROMISING INSTRUMENTALS FOR UNSTOPPABLE CREATORS

Born Erin Leah Canning in Cobleskill, New York in October of 1977 to Bonnie Hofmann and John Canning Jr., Erin Leah always had an affinity for the arts and was always putting on a show from a young age. She loved music and dance attending dance programs such as summer programs at North Carolina School of the Arts and Hartwick College Summer Programs. Her passion began with ballet and modern dance and soon she discovered African Dance as well. She began her studies in music playing the flute in the school band and later joined a select choir at Williston Northampton School.

Her first music production single was recorded at Unique Studios in 1997, which was misplaced, but she continued to study. After graduating from her Master’s Degree in Business in Entrepreneurship, Erin released her first album in 2006 by the name of “He Lied in Shangri-La”, featuring two members of Lettuce Funk Band, a member of The Roots and Brian McKnight’s former musical director, Jeffrey Lockhart on Guitar. She launched a small indie label called Calliope 22 LLC. Erin Leah has hit number one on the international hip-hop charts at Beatport then sister site, Beatsource and has trained and mentored with J.Chris Griffin seasoned hit maker for Madonna, Kanye West and John Legend as well as sound crafter for programs such as the program Reason.

In 2008, Defected Records heard a demo from Erin and loved it and decided to fly her over to London to see what they could do. She had the opportunity to work with Sandy Rivera, Shapeshifters and Copyright of Defected Records in a short visit there. Erin had her sights set on singing, but they were most interested in Erin as a writer at that time and decided to proceed with a vocal that she had written. Since Erin was determined to sing her own work at that time, she focused on how she could improve and began to journey further into vocal study and house music production. She began training with Enrique Carreon-Robledo, an esteemed guest conductor for the New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre.

In 2012, Erin collaborated with N’Dinga Gaba, who is, perhaps, best known for his single, “Summer Breeze” which hit number one on the Billboard Charts in South Africa, however he has worked with countless artists of top repute including Marc Evans of Quantize Recordings and Defected Records. Their first collaborative single, “Rocker”, hit number one on the top singles chart at Traxsource which was signed to Quantize Recordings. Their subsequent collaboration, “Radio Billie Stereo Ella” was also released on Quantize Recordings, where it hit number one on Traxsource Top Singles Chart and was featured again on many DJ’s Top Ten Charts including that of Black Coffee, DJ Spinna and Gilles Peterson to name a few. "Radio Billie Stereo Ella” was featured on FM Radio in Europe and Africa, including BBC Radio and RTE Radio Dublin and has been featured on digital shows worldwide including RTE Radio in Dublin.

After a several year hiatus, following the passing of her mother, Bonnie Hofmann and brother, Paul Hofmann, she returned to studio work, developing a new sound. She worked hermetically and continually, honing a warm and organic timbre, focusing on delivering refined vocals and instrumental production.

In 2026, Erin Leah produced and signed, “Mr. Classic”, an original single, to legendary New York City dance music label, King Street Sounds. On this work, Guitarist Fernando (Cat Power, Jacob Dillan, Norah Jones) developed a unique and illustrious guitar. Fede Gucciardo, sent us to new heights with deep funk disco drums and percussion and has worked with Mario Biondi and world tours at venues such as Blue Note. Grammy Award Winner, Darrell Freeman played bass on, “Mr. Classic” with deep thorough groove and has played with countless A List Stars. Grammy Award Winner, Zach Ziskin came in to mix and master for final delivery.