SwingShoes Entertainment LLC was formed in September of 2006 by Erik Novoa. It is a business entity to (a) teach people how to dance, (b) provide a fun environment in which to dance, (c) host guest instructors and DJs, and (d) introduce people to partner dance performances both as participants and as spectators.
Back when Erik was 15 years old and starting to dance, he always loved the black and white shoes of many jazz and tap dancers. During college, Erik purchased pair of black and white shoes. As his first America Online screen name, Erik chose "ENSpats."
Erik's Dance Biography
Erik Novoa is nationally top-ranked West Coast Swing and Hustle dancer, 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 2008-2013, Erik choreographed West Coast Swing & Hustle routines for their Connecticut group. These routines were featured at the Crystal Theater in Norwalk, CT and at the Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater in New York (2011, 2012, 2013). 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.
Student Testimonials
October 2017 - West Coast Swing Class in Norwalk
Hi Erik,
It was great meeting you last night, Elia and I had a blast in your class! You definitely have a rare gift as a teacher, you explain everything very well but manage to keep everyone energized and entertained throughout the class. We signed up online for class cards and we're looking forward to next week's class. The atmosphere and student interactions were amazing to watch, I'm sure it took years to build up that level of camaraderie amongst the students, but it's obvious that you're the focal point that made it all happen :)
Regards,
Paul and Elia Clapis
Teaching Experience
In February 2012, Erik was 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 was 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 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.
Competitive Placements
Erik is one of the few dancers to be nationally recognized in both West Coast Swing and Hustle. During the two decades of dancing, there have been many competitive accomplishments.
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.
I have been taking weekly West Coast Swing classes at SwingShoes since January 2018, with no prior dance experience. During that time, I have also taken Erik’s workshops in Hustle, Salsa, and Nightclub Two-Step. In 2019, I pursued additional lessons in Salsa at another studio to continue to expand my dance vocabulary. Socially I’ve been dancing West Coast Swing in NYC and CT, have attended a few dance events in CT and MA, and various workshops in the tri-state area. I competed in a West Coast Swing Jack & Jill competition at the dance event Swingin’ Into Spring in 2019 for the very first time. It was new and scary, but also tremendously exciting and educational. Shockingly, I placed fifth!
