Erika Puji
Full Time Lecturer
Office: Sports Center 229
Telephone: 518-580-8423
Fax: 518-580-8356
Email: epujic@skidmore.edu
Erika Puji was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio where she began her dance training at the School of Cleveland Ballet. She went on to receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the Juilliard School where she was the recipient of the Martha Hill Award. Upon graduation, Ms. Puji danced with Gloria Marinas Spanish Dance Ensemble performing in New Jersey Operas Carmen. She was a principal dancer and rehearsal director for Henning Rubsams SENSEDANCE for seven years. Ms. Puji was a founding member and rehearsal director for Battleworks Dance Company during its 10 year span (2000-2010). She has been an integral part of the creation of many works for Robert Battle and she has been dancing and setting his works for over 22 years.
She was a Visiting Guest Professor at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque for the Fall 2013 semester and will be returning for the Fall 2014 semester. Ms. Puji is currently teaching at George Mason University and she has been an Adjunct at Queensborough Community College since 2008. She has created works for The Ailey School, Marymount Manhattan College, Long Island University Brooklyn Campus, University of New Mexico, ABTs Summer Intensives, Summer Arts Institute, Perry Mansfield Performing Arts School and New York State Summer School of the Arts. Ms. Puji is also performing, teaching and creating curriculums for the American Dance Legacy Initiative (ADLI).