Birthplace: Jersey City, New Jersey
Ethnic Background: Ecuadorian
Erica52wny@aol.com

Erica's passion for dancing started at the age of 5, when her mother introduced her to salsa, merengue, and cumbia. Erica was hooked, and, soon after, her mother enrolled her in ballet school. Money was tight, however, and the lessons ended after just one year. Nevertheless, Erica was determined to dance. She took advantage of free workshops in her hometown of West New York and eventually joined the local color guard when she was 11. For over 15 years, Erica received informal training under professionals affiliated with ballet companies such as Alvin Ailey, Martha Graham, and Twyla Tharp.

In 2004, Erica came back to the where it all started- with salsa. She attended the NY Salsa Congress, mainly to watch her sister Liliana perform with Art in Motion. The show and the entire Congress inspired her and, within days, she enrolled in her first class with Mario B. Under his direction, her passion and commitment to mambo intensified, eventually earning her a spot on Mario's student team, Project B.

Erica continues to see her sister Liliana as her inspiration, personally and in the world of dance. She also thanks Mario B. and all of the members of Plan B for their continued support and guidance throughout this wonderful journey we call mambo.