Erik's Dance Biography

Erik Novoa is nationally top-ranked competitor, who made it through 3 rounds of auditions to appear on the televised revival of Dance Fever in 2003. He has also appeared on the "Today Show" where he took First Place in a televised hustle contest. In the past years, Erik has won 1st Place in the Professional Classic division at Mid Atlantic Dance Jam in Baltimore, Pacific Hustle & Salsa Dance Classic in San Francisco and Hustle USA in New Jersey. In the summer of 2004 and 2009, Erik was the guest teacher for over 500 people at Midsummer Night Swing at Lincoln Center featuring the Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. He is the only West Coast Swing instructor in the world to have taught at the prestigious Steps on Broadway (2003) and The Ailey Extension (2012).

Achievement with Students

From 2008-2011, Erik and his wife, Anna, choreographed West Coast Swing & Hustle routines for their Connecticut group. These rouintes were featured at the Crystal Theater in Norwalk, CT and at the Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater in New York (2011). This was the first time any West Coast Swing and Hustle student-group has ever performed on a professional theater stage in the United States.

Promo Pictures

Student Testimonials

Februray 2012 - West Coast Swing Workshops at The Alvin Ailey Extension in New York, NY

Thank you, Erik and Anna Novoa for a great night of dancing at the Alvin Ailey Extension! It was my husband's first experience ever with any dancing at all... and we both had a great time!!!
-Maritza

July 2011 - WCSwing Workshops at Hudson Valley Community Dance in Poughkeepsie, NY

Your workshop reawakened my taste for west coast. You were both terrific and I have written to the event director to say "best workshop ever". I do hope to see back in Poughkeepsie for another round of the "other" swing.
-Slade

Teaching Experience

In February 2012, Erik and Anna Novoa were invited to teach two beginner master-classes at The Ailey Extension - the adult dance wing of Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. Attendees ranged from first time dancers, who had no prior experience to working-professional dancers. This was the first time that any West Coast Swing professional had ever taught at the Ailey Extension.

In October 2010, Erik & Anna were invited to teach a two-day West Coast Coast Swing Intensive at Oberlin College.  During this weekend long event, over 100 students were taught lessons from the basic level to the advanced level.  By the end of the weekend, students were dancing West Coast Swing with each other.

In July of 2009, Erik & Anna taught for over 500 people at Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night Swing for the performance of the Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.  Erik was personally requested by the Big Bad Voodoo Daddy based upon his instruction during their last visit 4 years prior.

Competive Placements

Find out about how Erik has done during the years on the competition circuit.  Erik is one of the few dancers to be nationally recognized in both West Coast Swing and Hustle.  During the last decade of dancing, there have been many accompishements.

Erik's History

I was born on June 3, 1973 in New York City to two performing artists. My mother was a ballet dancer with New York City Opera Ballet and my father was principal tenor with New York City Opera. Since my parents met during a production of Carmen at New York State Theater (Lincoln Center), some might say that I am a product of an opera.

Videos of Erik

See some of the video footage of Erik's performances.

Erik & Anna Novoa at
Stardust Dance Weekend in June 2011.