Described as a musician with "charisma and sincere enthusiasm" (KC Studio), Eryn Bates is the lead vocalist, pianist, and founder of the Black Velvet Band. Her interest in Irish folk music grew from an early love of storytelling intertwined with melody, and she showcases her musicianship through genuine expression and a joy-filled, lighthearted spirit in performance.

Eryn is an international performer, but is most well-known in the Kansas City community as a multi-genre pianist, vocalist, music director, and composer/arranger. Her work has been heard on many area stages, including KC Repertory Theater, UMKC Conservatory Department of Theater productions, The Coterie Theatre, KC Actors' Theatre, and the Living Room Theater. Her original compositions from the Living Room Theater's production of Titus Andronicus, resulted in her first album "A Thousand Dreadful Things" which featured blues-style folk settings of Shakespeare sonnets.