Hayley Erbert Opens Up About Returning to Tour with Husband Derek Hough After ‘Traumatic’ Health Crisis (Exclusive)

Just four months after undergoing an emergency craniectomy, Hayley Erbert will rejoin her husband, Derek Hough, on tour.

The married couple announced on Friday, April 5, that they will dance together again on the Symphony of Dance tour, which will pick back up in Melbourne, Florida, on April 14.

“I am just so excited to get back out and dance again after having something so traumatic happen,” Erbert, 29, tells PEOPLE.

In December 2023, the So You Think You Can Dance alum was rushed to the hospital following a tour performance in Washington, D.C., where she was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel.

Weeks after undergoing a craniectomy, she underwent cranioplasty surgery to “replace a large portion of her skull” that was removed during the procedure. As her recovery process began, Hough, 38, postponed the tour to be by her side.

When he announced new tour dates in February, it was unclear if Herbert would be joining him for the performances.

She tells PEOPLE that what she has experienced these past few months makes being able to go back on a tour even better.

“Dance has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember and so I’m just really excited to get out there and do what I love and also to see the people that have supported me throughout this entire healing journey,” Erbert says.

Hough says that while the speed of Erbert’s recovery has made them “excited” and “grateful,” they are being mindful about not rushing anything.

“We’ve had extensive conversations and tests and results from different doctors,” Hough says. “Every kind of doctor that you can think about from our original surgeon who did the surgeries to new people in our lives and they are very supportive.”

The Dancing with the Stars judge adds that Erbert has an “amazing team” surrounding her that is making sure she is “good and healthy.”

“She’s all clear and we’re all just amazed by her and can’t wait to go out there and put on a great show and an emotional show,” Hough adds.

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News of Erbert going back on tour comes weeks after the dancers, who married in August 2023, shared a joint Instagram post from inside a dance studio, writing, “Stepping onto this blank canvas together. Beginning to paint again ❤️ @hayley.erbert.”