Nice to Meet You!
Early Days
"Mommy! Mommy! When are you going to sign me up for ballerina classes!?", suddenly exclaimed two year old Erica. Thinking these words were just coming from something Erica had heard elsewhere, her mom did not sign her up for "ballerina classes" until she was about two and a half...and after relentless begging. Her mom called everywhere imaginable, until finally, Erica was accepted by the new local studio in town. Erica instantly fell in love with dance, quickly fitting right in, despite being almost a whole year younger than her classmates. The rest is history!
Come her junior year of high school, when Erica saw her first live Broadway show: Beetlejuice. She attributes this show to what made her realize her passion for performing. Performing was always something Erica loved and enjoyed, but after being completely enticed by the show, literally on the edge of her seat the entire time, she just knew that would be her someday up on the big stage. She wanted nothing more in that moment than to jump up on the stage and dance with the ensemble. Today, Erica remains passionate about performing, but has also had many more opportunities to explore her passion for teaching as well.
​
(pictured top left: acting debut starring as Chicken Little in 1st grade)
Fun Facts
Born and raised on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Erica is a Boston Bruins loving, beach bumming, "wicked smaht" kind of girl. She is an only child with big dreams and a heart to match. In addition to dancing, Erica loves keeping herself active in many ways, the favorites include going to the gym and playing competitive tennis. In middle school and high school, Erica played 2nd seed singles on her varsity tennis team. Furthermore, she loves traveling, as it allows her to be adventurous and explore, while also making it a point to learn something about each new place she visits.
​
During middle school and high school, Erica regularly taught both dance and tennis to children ranging from kindergarten all the way up to 8th grade. Although she loved watching them get better day by day, her favorite part was when her students would run up to her and give her a hug with a big smile on their faces.
​
Although Erica is an only child herself, she hails from a large extended family, having over 40 aunts, uncles, and cousins combined, and has a dog named Rascal who keeps her plenty busy. She also has the bestest of friends (though, perhaps she is a little biased!), both at home and at school.
Oklahoma City University
Erica is a senior at Oklahoma City University currently in pursuit of a Bachelor's of Science in American Dance Teaching/Pedagogy. Since attending OCU, she has had the honor of performing in three shows: Home for the Holidays (pictured top left), We're Back Again: Student Choreography Show (pictured top middle), and On Our Way: Student Choreography Show (pictured top right). As a student, Erica has taken several dance classes, pedagogy classes, choreography classes, and arts management classes. She has such a large appreciation for the well-rounded education she receives at OCU. In addition to the amazing dance program, Erica further enhances her education by being a part of the Honors College. Through the Honors College, she has had the opportunity to be a leader by mentoring rising freshmen.
​
In addition to being a hardworking, dedicated dance major, Erica is also a member of the Epsilon Epsilon Chapter of Phi Mu Fraternity, a Greek Sorority on campus. Through her sorority's national philanthropy, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, she has had numerous opportunities to further her love of helping and teaching children. In 2023, Erica served as Secretary on her chapter's Executive Committee. She is so grateful for all of the opportunities she is able to pursue through Greek life, as well as the lifelong sisters she has made (pictured bottom row).
Mission Statement
It is Erica's mission to be a professional performer who tailors her work towards passion, expression, and storytelling, ensuring that audiences leave having felt something inside of themselves.
​
It is Erica's mission as a teacher to create a sense of belonging and an atmosphere of trust, as well as be inspiring for her students. She strives for her students to feel they belong in her class, that they can trust her and her them, and that they leave feeling inspired in dance and/or life.
