Office: GA 115
Phone: 815-753-5504
Email: aeckman@niu.edu
Autumn Eckman, originally from Atlanta, GA received her classical ballet training from Susan Bebee and Tom Pazik of the Atlanta Ballet, and from the Houston Ballet Academy under Steve Brulee and Clara Cravey. At age 14, she made her professional debut in the Atlanta Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet as one of Juliet’s six friends. From 1996 to 2000, she danced in the Kris Cangelosi Dance Project, a contemporary modern and jazz company. In 2000, upon receiving an apprenticeship to Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Autumn moved to Chicago. She joined the main company one year later. Autumn has also danced with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, State Street Ballet (Santa Barbara) as a principal, Luna Negra Dance Theater, and Lucky Plush Productions.
Autumn has worked with many Chicagoland companies choreographically including: Instruments of Movement, Inaside Chicago Dance, Northwest Ballet Ensemble, Terpsichore Dance Company, Indiana Ballet Theater, and Schaumburg Dance Ensemble, where she also dances regularly as a guest artist. Other works include pieces for Hubbard Street’s “Inside/Out”, Duets For My Valentine, and State Street Evenings. She has presented several pieces at the Regional Dance Festival in both the emerging artist and professional divisions. This fall she will create new works for Western Michigan University, Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, and Danceworks Chicago’s Dance Chance Redux series.
Autumn is newly on faculty at Northern Illinois University this fall. She also enjoys teaching for several studios and companies including the Lou Conte Dance Studio, The Academy of Movement and Music in Oak Park, and Inaside Chicago Dance.