Eric grew up in Hartsdale, New York and attended the Ardsley School District. From an early age, he was interested in nature and the sciences, but also showed an aptitude for music and the arts. In addition to studying the fine arts, piano and saxophone, Eric later became involved in the performing arts, first through magic and clowning and then through theatre. He was an avid member of his high school drama club, performing and starring in several productions, and eventually embarking on his own journey into playwriting. Eric would continue to write and perform in college, directing and producing some of his own plays and starring in several others.
Eric attended the University of Pennsylvania for his undergraduate education, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Biology. He focused his studies on tropical ecology, conducting research at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama and spending a semester abroad in Costa Rica with the Organization for Tropical Studies. It was during this latter experience that Eric began to shape his philosophy about conservation, while also reinforcing his affection for and interest in Latin America.
It was also during his undergraduate years that Eric began dancing, starting his sophomore year. He first took a swing class at Penn, then started taking lindy hop lessons in Philadelphia. He also joined the Penn Ballroom Dance Team, with whom he did competitive ballroom dancing. Lindy was his true passion, though, and he ended up joining the new lindy hop troupe on campus, which would eventually become West Philly Swingers. In addition to performing, choreographing, and teaching for the group, Eric became its Captain his senior year, and served as Artistic Director for the troupe's first show.
Following graduation, Eric moved to Washington, DC in order to explore the various facets of environmental work. He worked in a variety of positions and sectors, including environmental politics, science education, private land conservation, and energy efficiency.
It was also in DC that Eric learned West Coast Swing, studying intensively with Donna Roesel, and then with several other national champions. Along with coaching the competitive ballroom dance team at the Catholic University of America for two years, Eric also taught beginner and intermediate West Coast Swing classes for CUA Ballroom. Eventually, in August 2005, he and his partner began teaching at Glen Echo National Park, where they taught weekly beginner and intermediate West Coast Swing classes, as well as specialty workshops and intensives. On several occasions he was invited to teach workshops at DC area dances hosted by various teachers and promoters. In December 2004, he began to DJ at West Coast Swing dances and events, and in May 2005 he became the regular DJ at the Boogie In Bethesda, a weekly dance. He also served as guest DJ at many venues in the region, including weekend and national swing events. He has DJed at the DC area's Champions Weekend, Swing Fling, MAD JAM, Easterns, Michigan Classic, and New Year's Dance Extravaganza.
In August 2006, Eric relocated to New York City in order to pursue his M.A. in Conservation Biology at Columbia University, and completed the program in May 2008. His thesis research concerns the reforestation of mahogany in community-owned forests managed for sustainable timber extraction in southern Quintana Roo, on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. In addition to his academic studies, Eric has worked as a teaching assistant for the Center for Environmental Research and Conservation (CERC) and on establishing his conservation education firm, Conservation Horizons. His work through Conservation Horizons has involved student and adult education programs in conservation and sustainability. Since spring 2007, Eric has also been trying his hand at stand-up comedy, performing at such prestigious clubs as Caroline's in New York City. He also continues to be an active member of the swing dance community, DJing at local venues and, in November 2006, he began to teach West Coast Swing at Dance Manhattan.
For more on Eric's dance background, click here.