University of Detroit Mercy Athletics

 
Erika Nieman was named the new head coach of the University of Detroit Mercy dance team in the Fall of 2018.

Erika started dancing at Turning Pointe School for the Performing Arts when she was 3 years old.  She grew up competitively dancing and training in styles such as jazz, hip hop, contemporary, tap, ballet, lyrical, and partnering.  Erika won the senior year-round convention scholarship from Tremaine Dance Conventions for 3 years in a row.  She was also a VIP runner up at Break the floor Productions and won the A-Lister title and IHollywood.  Her jazz solo has placed first overall at Hall of Fame Dance Challenge and Jump Dance Conventions. 

Once graduated from high school, Erika worked alongside James Franco and Mila Kunis in Disney’s Oz: The Great and Powerful.  She can also be seen in Warner Brother’s film Into the Storm and she also worked alongside Ben Affleck in Batman vs. Superman.  Erika currently back up dances in a corporate band called Your Generation in Concert.  She has also performed with artists such as Kid Rock, Jessie McCartney, The GooGoo Dolls, and Shontelle. 

Erika has been a dance choreographer for 6 years.  She specializes in hip-hop, jazz, and heels.   Her hip-hop production and small group jazz pieces have placed first overall at KARR Regional Dance Competitions and have went on to compete at Nationals.  She continues to choreograph competition pieces while also teaching recreational classes.  Alongside choreographing, Erika received her Associates Degree in Communications from MCC.