Erin Ronder Neves

My passion

My career is dedicated to creating connections between the neurodiverse community and the performing arts. I am committed to empowering individuals to share their authentic selves with the world. I am passionate about creating opportunities in the arts where all abilities are welcome, feel supported and strive to create inclusive environments and etiquette as standard practice for all. 

Why this path?

I fell in love with the performing arts when I was very young. My parents encouraged me to take dance classes from the age of 5, and supported me as I became involved in school, summer camp and community productions. They introduced me to Broadway when we all traveled to New York City for the first time to see the musical “CATS." After that, I was hooked. The seed was planted, and my eagerness to learn all I could about the craft of the performing arts was ignited. I have not stopped performing or taking classes since. I was an active thespian throughout high school, college and graduate school, and I was fortunate enough to have been able to achieve my dream of performing in New York City while I lived there for 7 years.

My interest in working with neurodiverse populations stems from a very personal place. I was born into a family with extensive personal and professional experience in the field of working with people of different abilities. I have grown up alongside several family members of all different abilities, and many of our careers have been dedicated to helping those with a range of cognitive, behavioral, learning and developmental abilities. I naturally became extremely comfortable being surrounded by all populations, abilities and ages, as well as working with them in a variety of ways to establish trustworthy relationships to become an ally and advocate.

The journey begins

It only seemed fitting that I found myself being pulled toward a profession that combined my love for the arts and my dedication to the neurodiverse community. I began exploring this idea after college when I worked in a self-contained special education school. The arts provide opportunities to explore different perspectives in a safe and supported environment. The arts can be transformative and enlightening, and I thought my students and the entire neurodiverse population could benefit from incorporating the performing arts into the curriculum.

Soon after that, I found the field of Educational Theatre and was accepted to pursue my M.A. in Educational Theatre at New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development School in New York City. New York City is theater’s epicenter and allowed me the opportunity to continue pursing my dreams as a performer, in addition to receiving an education that I could immediately apply. I began working as a teaching artist with various Broadway theatre companies and arts organizations. I found myself naturally being drawn to opportunities that allowed me to connect with students of different abilities and at-risk populations.

After graduating from NYU, I focused on finding opportunities that honored my commitment to the neurodiverse population. I became a lead teaching artist throughout New York City that worked primarily within New York City Public Schools’ self-contained District 75, as well as other non-traditional settings that served the neurodiverse community through the arts.

The arts inclusion specialist

After relocating to Boston, MA, I joined Greater Boston Stage Company where I have spent the past 5 years refining my role as an arts inclusion specialist. I work with families, staff, teaching artists, and children of all ages to ensure all students and patrons receive supported and non-judgmental access to our programs and performances. Furthermore, I ensure that all are defined by their person, not their abilities. I have continued to grow and expand my work in the arts accessibility world by collaborating with other theatre companies in the Greater Boston Area to expand their access to the arts.

Additional Interests

Since becoming a mother I have become very invested in supporting families throughout the perinatal period. I am currently a Birth Doula CD(DONA), Postpartum & Infant Care Specialist (CD-PIC), a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), a Certified Childbirth Educator (BCCE), a Spinning Babies Certified Parent Educator (SpBCPE), and an RYT 200 yoga teacher. I welcome you to check out my doula and perinatal education services at www.erndoula.com.

When I am m not helping families in the arts or in the birth process, I enjoy acting, dancing, singing, teaching theater to students of all ages, working with the neurodiverse community, going to live performances, reading, listening to audiobooks, going to any library or bookstore, practicing yoga, exercising, martial arts, driving fun cars, comic books (DC preferred), spending time with my two amazing daughters, laughing with my husband, and snuggling with my two Labrador Retrievers, Bruce Wayne and Barbara “Babs” Gordon. (Yes, they are named after Batman and Batgirl.)

Connect with me here: LinkedIn Profile