A Little Background Information

As a professional contemporary ballet dancer, artist, and teacher based in New York, I coach professional dancers, train professional-track dancers, and have developed a Nutrition for Dancers program for schools, professionals and individuals. My mission is to lead dancers and performers to their personal best in a supportive healthy manner. I focus on performance tools and ways to take care of the body in order to thrive in a professional career.

I was lucky enough grow up with a mom who was also a dancer so she knew how important it was to eat really well so our bodies would be able to do what we wanted them to do. She always prepared fresh delicious meals for us with highest level of nutrition in mind.  She made meals from fresh local produce that she taught me how to pick out and eventually had me go shopping for. I loved to help her pick and prepare our food. Best of all, I realize now that I gained many tools that I have grown to use automatically to take care of myself and pass on to fellow dancers and my students.

That natural tendency to pass on what my mother taught me, along with a growing wealth of experience and knowledge from my training and performing career lead me to where I am today.  I have been coaching, teaching, and program directing specializing in pre-teens through pre-professional since 2003. I not only pass on knowledge but I share my passion for finding the balance in this physically demanding and artistically gratifying career. I teach Ballet, Pilates, Modern, Improv, Partnering, Contemporary, coach privately in those areas and give workshops on Nutrition for Dancers. I teach master classes around the US, Coach for YAGP Finalists, and have set work on Cal State LA, University of Utah, and AMDA students. I am currently based in New York and travel coaching pre-professional dancers, professional performers, and giving workshops Nutrition for Dancers. ​
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I'm happy to discuss specific needs and goals with you.  Feel free to contact me!

~Eryka Clayton



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"Thank you for all your inspiration and belief in me! I can't believe I'll be traveling the world doing what I love! " ~ Zach Reynolds, Dancer