Erica Smith is truly, "The Hustling Attorney." Erica was first introduced to Hustle while attending the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law. Taking to the dance from the start, Erica quickly climbed the Hustle Amateur ranks. Less than a year after her formal introduction to the dance, Erica went from competing as a Newcomer to winning 1st place in Advanced Amateur Divisions. With more than 17 Advanced Amateur 1st place wins under her belt, Erica was arguably the Top Female Amateur Hustle Competitor for two years prior to her professional status.

     Since becoming a professional competitor, Erica has placed in the Top 3 in Professional Just Hustle and Invitational Jack & Jill Hustle Divisions across the country. In 2007, TV Guide Magazine coined Erica the "Disco-Dancing Lawyer" after she performed a Just Hustle that led her all the way to Vegas on the nationally syndicated television show, "So You Think You Can Dance." Thereafter, Erica was pictured alongside Shane Sparks in the July 2007 issue of US Weekly.

     Erica isn't just known for her success as a Hustle dancer, Erica is also known for her success as a Triple Threat Competitor (Hustle/WCS/Salsa). Prior to her professional status, Erica was the Top Amateur Triple Threat Competitor for two years. Since becoming a professional competitor, Erica has placed in the Top 3 in Professional Triple Threat Divisions across the country. Erica's partner dance training began with Salsa (On 1 & On 2). In 2005, Erica performed with Rica Sensacion at the 7th Annual West Coast Salsa Congress. Shifting her focus to Hustle, Erica devoted several years to developing her Hustle style. In the process, Erica was introduced to and subsequently fell in love with WCS. In 2008, Erica won her first US Open Swing Dance title.

     Erica began her dance training at an early age with the Washington School of Ballet. There she studied ballet and modern dancing for almost 10 years. Towards the end of her training, Erica performed with ballet companies from all over the world including, but not limited to, the Joffery Ballet, the Royal Ballet, Dance Theater of Harlem, and the Washington School of Ballet. Having performed dozens of roles over the course of her ballet career, Erica is most proud to have danced the role of Clara in the Washington School of Ballet's Nutcracker.

     Erica has been on staff at various Hustle and West Coast Swing events such as the World Hustle Dance Championship, Miami Dance Magic, Puerto Rico Hustle & Salsa Festival, Disco America, TRI-State Connection, Swing Fling, Virginia State Open, Easterns, and Halloween in Harrisburg teaching, judging, competing, and performing. Erica currently resides in Silver Spring, MD where she teaches private lessons in West Coast Swing, Hustle, and Salsa in her home studio. In addition, Erica can be found running a weekly West Coast Swing Dance Party in Rockville, MD and guest teaching at various venues in the Washington Metropolitan Area.