Life & Work with Erin Merkley of Johnstown Colorado

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Merkley.

Hi Erin, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started dancing when I was five and quickly fell in love with it! I discovered my passion for percussive styles like Irish and Tap dance. That love turned into a competitive career that took me all over the country, where I earned several national titles.
During my freshman year of college, I had the opportunity to be the choreographer for a local theater company, which was such a great learning experience. I got to work on productions like Annie, Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, and The Music Man—it really showed me how much I loved the musical theater world! Deciding to study Performing Arts at New York University deepened my love for the arts in ways I never imagined. In the Fall of 2023 my dream of
Launching Eleve became a reality! So incredibly grateful for the opportunity and for the endless love and support from our amazing friends and family!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There are always new challenges, and that’s exactly what keeps things exciting. Each obstacle brings an opportunity for us as a team to learn, grow, and think creatively.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
When I started Eleve, my goal was to bring high-quality, professional-level dance training to Northern Colorado in a way that felt both inspiring and approachable. I wanted to build a space where young dancers could be challenged technically while also feeling supported artistically. A place that celebrated growth over competition.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I like best: I love the hometown feel- everyone is so friendly and genuinely cares about one another. There’s a real sense of community here.

What I like least: I wish we had more opportunities to experience the arts and all the beauty, creativity, and inspiration they bring to our community.

Pricing:

• Eleve classes start at $50 per month

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elevedancejohnstown.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dance_eleve/

Image Credits
Simplicite photography
Emmy R photography