Erica Pereira was born in Northport, New York.  She began studying ballet at the age of 8 and enrolled at Ballet Academy East from the age of ten.  In 2005 Ms. Pereira began studying at the School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet.  She attended summer programs at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and Pacific Northwest Ballet.  Ms. Pereira became an apprentice with New York City Ballet in December 2006.  While an apprentice, Ms. Pereira danced the role of Juliet in Peter Martins’ Romeo + Juliet as part of the 2007 spring season.  She joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet that May.  In December 2009 Ms. Pereira was promoted to soloist.