Erin Owen

Following 16 years of life and dance in New York City, Erin is delighted to return home to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Most notably, she was a member of Doug Varone and Dancers for many years, performing and teaching in Europe, Asia, South America, the Caribbean, and throughout the United States. Each summer she taught Pilates, Technique, ErinRepertory, and Principles of Performance at Doug’s annual 3-week intensive, as well as many master classes and workshops at the 92nd Street Y Harkness Dance Center. She has also staged Doug’s works in college dance departments across the country. Erin performed in productions at the Metropolitan Opera (Le Sacre du Printemps, Les Troyens), Minnesota Opera (Faust), Long Leaf Opera (Orpheus & Eurydice), and Palm Beach Opera (Orfeo). She has danced in the companies of other outstanding choreographers as well, including Ivy Baldwin, Faye Driscoll, Netta Yerushalmy, Daniel Charon, and Melissa Briggs. Performance credits also include projects with Bill T. Jones, David Neumann, and Karinne Keithley, and throughout her career she has performed on many prominent dance stages, including BAM, The Joyce Theater, City Center, Symphony Space, The 92ndStreet Y, and Jacob’s Pillow. Early in her profession, Erin was chosen to be a dancer in residence at The Yard, on Martha’s Vineyard- a highly regarded dance festival which was formative in her dance trajectory. She also enjoyed brief forays into the acting and modeling worlds with I Am Legend (film), and Dance Fever (W Magazine fashion shoot).

Erin is a certified Pilates and GYROTONIC® instructor, and has been teaching private and group classes since 2002. A graduate of the renowned Kane School of Core Integration in NYC, she prioritizes healthy biomechanics and efficient movement patterns, helping to prevent injury and increase functional strength, balance, and flexibility. She has completed extensive continuing education courses, including Osteoporosis, Pre- and Post-Natal, Neurological Conditions, Hyper-mobility, Posture Analysis & Functional Joint Assessment, Disc Herniations, Stenosis, Scoliosis, Pelvic Floor Health, Pilates for Men, Pilates for Athletes, Knee Injury Rehab & Post-Rehab, Neck, Shoulder, and Wrist Health, and The Iliopsoas. Her clients in NYC range from professional dancers and athletes to elderly folks with complicated spinal conditions. She has always had a fascination with anatomy and kinesthetic awareness, and she loves sharing that passion with others, helping people find joy and confidence through intelligent movement. Keep an eye out for her budding Pilates studio, Waynesville Pilates!

Erin grew up just over the hill in Waynesville, and is ever grateful to have begun her dance training under the guidance of Marilyn Cloutier and Susan O’Day at The Dancer’s Pointe. In later high school years, she was also fortunate to be a student of Ann Dunn’s in Asheville. Erin is an alumna of Scripps College in Claremont, CA. There she earned degrees in Dance and Biology, and trained under the masterful ballet instruction of Vicky Koenig. She continued her dance training in NYC, where she received a scholarship to the Martha Graham School of Dance, and completed the Professional Studies program at The Limón Institute. She is thankful to Jaclynn Villamil in New York for her excellent ballet tutelage, and Doug Varone for his mentoring and friendship.