Despite a recent ankle injury, Miller dedicates at least three days a week to dance. Through the company, he is required to learn a new choreographed routine every Sunday, taught by the faculty, as well as work at his own pieces throughout the week.

“I'm an extremely active and independent person, so being on crutches has made me rely on other people for support, and I was really unable to do anything," Miller said. "It took me twice as long as normal to get to my classes when on crutches, and then I needed to find entrances with the handicap helper button.”

Miller said he will be back in his dance shoes next week practicing for one of the three pieces he’s in this spring.

“Just yesterday Eric kept telling me how horrible it is to not be able to practice,” said Miller’s boyfriend, former CMU student James Glosch. “He just wants to be there and be a part of the creative process that goes into choreographing and dancing.”

Miller was first introduced to performing when his major in theater required him to take dance classes. Through the classes, he said he found it easy to express himself in his movements, and considers it therapeutic.

“One semester I was taking three classes of dance and loving it, so I figured I’d audition for Central’s dance company,” Miller said.

Each year, the company has more than 50 students audition for a spot in the 44-member company. Once accepted, membership lasts the duration of the student’s time at CMU.

“Members come from all different ability, backgrounds and majors,” said Dance Instructor Heather Trommer-Beardslee. “The company looks at technical skill and the ability of the dancer to put themself in a dance."

Becoming a part of the UTDC has Miller thinking of continuing to dance in his future. He is a former participant of the Disney internship program and said he is now looking forward to returning to the Disney stage to audition to be a dancer at a theme park, resort or cruise ship.

Miller said his only worry about the audition is meeting the height requirements.

“I’m on the low end of the height spectrum,” Miller said. “But my confidence in my movement allows me to be the best dancer I can be. It allows me to be more expressive and emotional in my dance physically and mentally.”

This past fall Miller was one of 12 student dance choreographers to put on a show for the company. Despite it being his first time choreographing the showcase, Miller said he enjoyed it because going through the choreographic process allowed him to a see a different side of dancing than performing allows.

“Oftentimes when we're in the car together listening to music, I'll look over at him and his eyes are closed as he listens,” Glosch said. “When I ask him what he's doing, he tells me he's choreographing in his head. He doesn't just hear music; he's always thinking about how a certain song would play out on stage.”

Ohio junior Karen Opper co-choreographed with Miller and has been dancing with him since he became a part of the company.

“Working with Eric for the student-choreographed showcase was absolutely wonderful; he has so many great ideas,” Opper said. “He saw details I didn't, and pushed the intention of our piece to the limits.”

Miller said joining the company has been one of the best things he has done in college.

“It’s made me not only a better dancer, but a better performer and actor as well,” he said.