Erica Patricia Saucedo

A dancer in heart and soul, Erica completed her B.F.A in Dance at UT Austin before pursuing her dream of dancing and performing in New York City—a time when her art served as a vehicle for community-based work and social justice movements, values that Erica would continue to live and defend fiercely. She later returned home to Austin to continue her education as an M.F.A Candidate in Dance and Social Justice at UT. Her primary research investigated the re-embodiment of cultural icons as ways of interrogating and reframing static notions of gender, race, sexuality, and physical ability embedded in Latinx iconicity, stereotypes, and popular music.

As an artist and spirit, Erica was unafraid. She danced with equal parts love, deliberation and abandon - virtuosic in all the states of being that she embodied. Her moving form and her brilliant mind were remarkably clear, curious, and clever. Erica possessed a rare vitality and brilliance, which she brought to her creative visions and to her beloved communities. She lived with care and joy, moving with divine purpose - which invited everyone she was near to do the same.

As a wife, daughter, sister, tía, and friend, Erica was the embodiment of loving kindness. She loved big and unconditionally. For her, the greatest gifts she could give were her time, attention, and presence, which she showered upon all of those with the privilege to know and love her. Her love and commitment to her family, friends, and community were truly unmatched.

May we continue to dance and dream, laugh and love in honor of her boundless spirit.

Erica is survived by her husband, Bryan Smith; parents, Edgar and Patricia Saucedo; sisters, Daniella Saucedo (Thomas Cabriales) and Gabrielle Cook (Clint); nephew, Javier Cook; dog, Martin; cat, Oscar; and more cousins, aunts, uncles, and best friends to count.