About

Erica is originally from Southern California but currently resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is a national-level West Coast Swing dancer, competitor, instructor, and judge, achieving success in numerous Strictly Swing and Jack n’ Jill contests. From 2003-2010, she enjoyed a successful partnership in the West Coast Swing Classic division with Jason Barnes. As of late she has taken a hiatus from routine competition to pursue an MBA at the University of Minnesota, and progress her corporate career within the wireless industry. She continues to travel nationally and overseas, teaching workshop weekends and judging competitions at national swing dance events.

Outside of dance, Erica has a musical background that began in grade-school, consisting of several years as a violinist and pianist. In her free time she likes to get away to the lakes, spend time with friends and family, and volunteer at “We Can Ride”, a therapeutic horseback riding program for children and adults living with physical, cognitive, and behavioral disabilities. She is an avid sports fan and enjoys watching most all of them.  Besides sports and dancing, some of her other passions include: Traveling; Experiencing new foods, places, and activities; TV shows such as Big Bang Theory, Psych, Sportscenter, Arrested Development, and Sunday Morning; Horseback riding; Soul and old-school hip-hop music; Southern food; Good wine; Optimistic attitudes; Passionate people.

  • 10′-12′ Multiple Top 5 placings in national Strictly Swing / Jack n’ Jill competitions
  • 04′-09′ 6-time U.S Open Classic Division Finalist
  • 08′ and 09′ U.S Open Classic Division – 6th place
  • 08′ Swingtime in the Rockies Champions Jack n’ Jill – 3rd Place
  • 08′ Seattle Easter Swing Invitational Jack n’ Jill – 4th Place
  • 08′ MadJAM Pro-Strictly Swing – 2nd Place
  • 08′ MadJAM Invitational Jack n’ Jill – 3rd Place
  • 08′ America’s Classic Pro Jack n’ Jill – 2nd Place
  • 07′ Summer Hummer Invitational Jack n’ Jill – 2nd Place
  • 07′ Seattle Easter Swing Pro-Strictly Swing – 2nd Place
  • 06′ Phoenix All-star J&J – 1st Place
  • 06′ Swingtime in the Rockies All-star J&J – 1st Place
  • 06′ Boogie by the Bay All-star J&J – 1st Place
  • 05′ Capital Swing All-star J&J – 1stPlace
  • 05′ Swingtime in the Rockies All-star J&J – 1st Place
  • 05′ Boogie by the Bay All-star J&J – 1st Place
  • 04′ U.S Open Champion, Team Division – 1st Place