Erin Bates (she/her) recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from Western Michigan University in May 2021 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. During her time at WMU, Erin was selected as a company member of WMU’s touring company, Western Dance Project (WDP), for the 2018-19 season under the direction of Whitney Moncrief. As a member of WDP, Erin performed “Tidal Intersections” choreographed by Katarzyna Skarpetowska at WMU’s Winter Gala Dance Concert, as well as excerpts from “Encounter” by Monique Haley at the American College Dance Association’s 2019 East Central conference. Erin has also performed works by guest and faculty choreographers Aszure Barton, Mike Esperanza, Melanie George, Seyong Kim, and Jeremy Blair. Erin was also an understudy for Yin Yue’s “Just Above the Surface” alongside Peridance Contemporary Dance Company. In her Junior year, Erin served as the rehearsal director for WMU’s First Year Performance piece choreographed by alum, Kaitlyn Pollock. In the summer of 2020, Erin danced as an apprentice with Dance in the Parks Chicago under the direction of Katie McCann for their first ever virtual season. She returned as a Company Member with Dance in the Parks in summer 2021, performing pieces by Joe Musiel, Lauren Blane Bogren, and Brian Hare. She was also an Apprentice with Inaside Chicago Dance for Fall 2021. Erin is beyond excited to be a Company Dancer with ADC!