At the beginning of his professional career, Eric was injured while tapping on marley covered concrete for a summer. He bruised both his femur and tibia, and had to take 5 months off from dancing, running, jumping, or even walking briskly - it was incredibly eye opening to see how fragile a dance career could be. Ever since that injury, he has been dedicated to the idea of access to proper, safe, and affordable dance surfaces. He constructed his own tap boards for years, invested in shoes with supportive orthotics, and even changed the way he approached dance in his professional career. After all that, it just made sense to put everything he learned to good use.

He also noticed the cost and waste associated when other brands ship their products across the country. By building and distributing locally, he is able to use high quality materials and produce larger tap boards, giving the dancer a better value and experience. And with his “Board in a Box” he is able to provide that same value to dancers across the country. As a dancer and a teacher himself, Eric understands the financial commitment the arts can have, which is why he is committed to providing access to low-cost, high-quality equipment.

Through this company, he wants to pass on his experiences and everything he has learned over his career. By helping tap dancers gain access to Eric’s Tap Boards, he might be able to help others avoid injuries like he experienced. And if he can inspire just one dancer, then this whole project will be worth it.

Happy tapping!