Why study with Erika?
Movement History:
Erika began her bellydance journey in 2003 when she decided to stay late after a weekly group fitness class to explore the bellydancing class that was to follow. What began with Egyptian Cabaret, evolved into the study of various Americanized fusion styles.
In the years prior to discovering bellydance, she grew up with training in other dance and movement forms including Jazz, Ballet, Gymnastics, Yoga, and various competitive sports. Additionally, she maintained a certification as a group fitness instructor and personal trainer for a period of time. Her foundation in musicality also took root in her early years as she played Clarinet in her high school band.
Belly Dance Experience:
Erika started teaching bellydance in 2007 and assembled a student troupe in 2012, which performed for several years throughout New England. In 2019, she was the winner of the East Coast Classic Competition-Professional Tribal Fusion Category and also the People's Choice Award.
Two of her main mentors and sources of inspiration are Rachel Brice and Zoe Jakes. In 2014, she completed Rachel Brice's 8 Elements Initiates Training. In recent years, she has been training more closely with Zoe Jakes in the Dancecraft Format and is among the first class of Dancecraft graduates to obtain a teaching certification for the format. This has led to incredible opportunities including being an opening act for the Beats Antique Creature Carnival show (Burlington, VT-2016) and being a featured teacher for the First International Festival of DanceCraft Certified Teachers (2021). Additionally, in 2024, she had the honor of joining Beats Antique for a small East Coast tour and dancing in Zoe's House of Tarot. She's also had the pleasure of joining Zoe onstage for a couple other events (BellyQueen-2024 & Art of the Belly-2025).
Performance & Teaching Approach:
Erika is currently based in the Catskill Mountains of upstate NY (teaching mostly in Oneonta). In addition to teaching and performing as a solo artist, she is a proud member of the award-winning troupe, The Lunachix.
As a performer, Erika has been praised for her musicality, stage presence, technique, grace, and tranquility onstage. Her modern musical selections and choreographic stylization never fail to entertain!
As a teacher, she creates a fun class environment through use of humor. She also has a keen ability to deconstruct movement technique and creates engaging choreographies which challenge her students to grow beyond what they thought they were capable of. Her background in psychology, social work, and energy work enhances her ability to create a healing learning environment despite common fears and insecurities of (new) students. She strives to create connection and community among those who choose to study with her.
