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.
