Eric Zimmer

Eric Zimmer is a unique voice in our dance community. As a Certified Medical Exercise Specialist with a degree in Human Performance, his knowledge of body mechanics provides a safe and effective training environment for his students. He has enjoyed the honor of traveling around the country teaching, performing and competing in a variety of dance forms.

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He was featured internationally as “America’s Personal Trainer,” teaching classes and techniques that included dance, fitness and mind/body wellness. He is the author of 4 videos, the latest being a dance / fitness creation drawing heavily on his ballet background called “The Barre.”

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Eric’s dance background began 30 years ago with extensive Ballet, Modern and Jazz training. Since arriving in Portland in late 1994, he has danced for the Portland Opera as well as the gamut of local musical theatre companies . Prior to finding partner dancing, Eric danced for Kinetic Images, a local modern dance company (where, by chance, he met Shawn Gardner for the first time).

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Eric’s partner dancing credits begin with Argentine Tango 15 years ago, studying extensively with Alex Krebs. Shortly thereafter he began his ballroom study with DVIDA, being at the forefront of the development of the examination tools available to ballroom instructors world-wide today.

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Since then, he has expanded his credentials to include West Coast Swing and competitive Country Dance with the UCWDC (United Country Western Dance Council), currently participating as a masters level competitor, adjudicator and instructor throughout the country.

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Eric’s instruction has been described as “skilled, warm, patient, positive and highly instructive.”

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Eric teaches Ballroom, Latin, Smooth, Rhythm, West Coast Swing, Argentine Tango, Country, and Fitness.