Erica Ueberroth began dancing with Civic Dance Center in 1993. She was trained in classical ballet technique by Valerie Lewis, Cindy Trueblood, and Desiree Bogan, and in jazz and tap by Marilyn Stone and Kristen McLaughlin. As a student, Erica performed in Civic’s annual production of The Nutcracker in roles including Little Clara, Snow Queen, Arabian Queen, Spanish Queen, Rose, and Sugar Plum Fairy.

Erica continued her dance education through professional ballet school summer intensive programs, including American Ballet Theatre’s summer intensive in Irvine, California; The Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia; and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. She has also had the privilege of studying in master classes with Leslie Brown, Stephanie Powell, Benjamin Millepied, Joaquín De Luz, and Gelsey Kirkland.

In 2002, Erica began teaching for Liberty High School’s dance program, where she continued to teach and co-direct through 2009. She also joined the Civic Dance Center faculty in 2002 and has remained an educator at Civic ever since. In 2011, she was asked to co-direct Civic’s annual production of The Nutcracker. She went on to co-direct Civic’s annual Gala with Ann Conrad in 2015, setting an original work, Once Upon A Time.

Erica has choreographed for Civic Dance Center as well as for Stars Theatre Restaurant and The Ovation Repertory Theatre. Her choreography includes A Garden in the Rain, a pas de deux that was awarded first place in the senior ballet duo/trio category at the 2016 West Coast Dance Explosion Nationals. In 2019, her original neoclassical-inspired work Beaucoup de Cordes premiered as part of Bakersfield City Ballet’s Ethereal Visions.

For several years, Erica has pursued American Ballet Theatre’s National Teacher Training Curriculum, completing training through Level 5. Her approach to teaching is grounded in strong classical ballet technique while also recognizing the importance of the whole dancer—their mental and physical development, artistic growth, confidence, and individual journey.

In 2018, Erica became Artistic Director of Bakersfield City Ballet, where she continues to lead the company’s artistic vision and oversee full-length classical ballet productions, mixed repertory programs, educational outreach, and opportunities for pre-professional dancers. Under her leadership, Bakersfield City Ballet has presented works including Swan Lake, Don Quixote, La Bayadère, and The Sleeping Beauty, as well as its Ethereal Visions programs.

In 2022, Erica became the owner of Civic Dance Center, the school where her own dance journey began, taking on the responsibility of carrying its legacy into the future. As Owner and Executive Artistic Director, she oversees the school’s artistic programming, faculty, student training, productions, and community partnerships. She is passionate about maintaining Civic’s longstanding tradition while continuing to evolve the school and provide meaningful opportunities for the next generation of dancers.

Outside of the studio, Erica has been married to her husband, Eric Ueberroth, since 2009. She is grateful for his endless support, patience, and love throughout her career and their life together. Erica has also been a Certified Massage Therapist in private practice since 2005. Her interest in wellness and the connection between the body and movement led her to pursue Pilates training, and in 2015 she received her Level One Pilates training certificate after studying under Pilates Master Roger Gonzalez Hibner.

Erica believes that everyone should have access to the performing arts, whether as a patron or participant, and that exposure to the arts in any capacity can leave a person feeling inspired and awed. Through Civic Dance Center and Bakersfield City Ballet, she hopes to create an environment where young artists can develop not only strong technique, but also confidence, discipline, artistry, and a lifelong appreciation for dance.