Eric Jacobson is an All-Star-level West Coast Swing competitor and an accomplished dance instructor known for his fun and innovative dancing.
Eric has been dancing since the winter of 2000. He has not only mastered technique, connection and partner communication, but he also brings an innate sense of musicality and soul to his dancing. With his roots in lindy hop, Eric began an intensive study of West Coast Swing (WCS) with national champion Donna Roesel in the summer of 2002. He immediately found success in swing competitions, and has achieved several first place wins at national swing events. Eric rapidly moved up through the ranks and today is an advanced level swing competitor, placing in Jack & Jills and in routine divisions with his partner Kelly Faust. He continues to study WCS with champions from around the country, keeping his moves and style on the cutting edge of the dance. Found spinning tunes at local and national events, Eric is also a highly sought-after DJ whose mix of soulful and inspiring music gets dancers on their feet.
As well as being an accomplished competitor and DJ, Eric is an experienced and insightful instructor. Having taught swing lessons and choreographed routines at the University of Pennsylvania for two years, he was asked to teach at the Catholic University of America, where for three years he coached their Competitive Dance Team, served as their resident swing instructor and helped them to establish an intercollegiate swing team. Eric was the West Coast Swing instructor at Glen Echo National Park for a year, teaching weekly Beginner and Intermediate classes, as well as specialty workshops and intensives. On several occasions he has been invited to teach workshops at DC area dances hosted by various teachers and promoters. Today he is a resident West Coast Swing instructor at world-renowned studio Dance Manhattan in New York City, teaching group classes, private lessons, and workshops.
In May 2007, Eric was featured on Good Morning America, as part of a segment called "Dancing With The Moms." Four moms were selected from thousands of entrants to dance with professional dancers in a three-day competition. Eric trained and choreographed for one of the contestants, Sy Schapp, a physical therapist from Edgerton, MN. Despite the fact that she had no prior dance experience, together they took 2nd place and put on a great show.
Eric is well known for his fun and flexible teaching style and his ability to effectively communicate with all kinds of students. While he emphasizes a strong foundation in technique and connection, he always infuses important aspects of the social nature of swing into his lessons, including musicality, improvisation, and especially partner communication. Eric once said, "Partner dancing is about three partners - the two dancers and the music - and the best dancing is that which involves all three equally." He believes that anyone can be taught to dance, and that swing in particular is an excellent tool for learning how to express yourself, how to communicate with others, and for discovering new aspects of yourself.
RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTSTESTIMONIALS2nd Place - Classic Division - Liberty Swing Dance CHampionships 2007
2nd Place - Rising Star Classic - Swing Fling 2007
2nd Place - Rising Star Division - Summer Hummer 2007
2nd Place - Rising Star Division - Swing Niagara 2007
2nd Place - Rising Star Division - Tampa Bay Classic 2007
1st Place - Advanced Strictly Swing - Tampa Bay Classic 2007
1st Place - Advanced Strictly Swing - Swing Niagara 2007
2nd Place - All-Star WCS Jack & Jill - New Year's Dancin' Eve 2007
5th Place - All-Star WCS Jack & Jill - Boston Tea Party 2008
2nd Place - Advanced WCS Jack & Jill - Summer Hummer 2007
2nd Place - Advanced WCS Jack & Jill - Swing Niagara 2007
3rd Place - Advanced WCS Jack & Jill - Swingin' New Englad 2007
3rd Place - Advanced WCS Jack & Jill - Boston Tea Party 2007
4th Place - Advanced WCS Jack & Jill - Liberty Swing Dance Championships 2007
2nd Place - Open WCS Jill & Jack - New Year's Dancin' Eve 2007
"Just wanted to drop you a note to say that I really enjoyed our private lesson and for the 1st time in about 5 years I felt as though I was hearing something that I could apply immediately, instead of what I have been getting. (Same story, new version and I don't agree with most of it). This time I felt as though I did NOT have to start over or change my dance completely, I heard and understood everything that you said and enjoyed applying your knowledge of physics and body technique TO MY BODY AND MOVEMENT. I also appreciate that you took the time to 'hear my story' which I think allowed you to assess what I actually wanted and needed. I would love to work with you more and will definitely book another private on your June trip."
- Dawn Degrushe
"Eric has the uncommon ability to quickly identify what needs to be corrected, how to correct it, and how to make what needs to be corrected understandable to the student. His eye for precision does not overwhelm a very relaxed, comfortable teaching style."
- Eleesa Perez
"Again, thank you very much for the private lesson. It has been very helpful to me to gain the knowledge that you so graciously give to your students such as I. Your patience is appreciated as there is so much to learn the techniques of the West coast dance. As we talked about during the lesson, anybody can learn a pattern but the important part is to learn the technique that leads you into & helps you to do the pattern the right way. You have taught me that, I thank you."
- Rich Forshee
"I can't thank Eric enough for what he has been doing for the Dance Thing Juniors and for ME personally as a dancer as well as an instructor. His sincerity comes through with every word and every action - he believes in ME and that I will understand what he has to offer. That makes me believe in myself and makes it a joy to work at improving my dance and my ability to teach. I have seen him do this with every student as well - what a gem! Wish we could have him permanently in St. Louis - everyone knows about MY overbooked and overwhelming schedule - I'd still figure out a way to get with him at LEAST once a week, if not more, he's that good."
- Maria Blackwell
"Fresh, fun, encouraging, advantageous, caring, and talented! These are only a few words that come to mind when I hear the name Eric Jacobson. The creative ideas and concepts that he relates so naturally to dancers, including myself, has changed my dancing forever. Not only are they wonderful ideas, but they are given in a way I can understand and I am able to start applying them NOW! Eric is a very encouraging teacher as well. His encouraging attitude brightens the whole room and could make even the most inexperienced dancer feel right at home."
- Hope Kulkielski