Welcome to uma!
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We believe everyone is meant to dance. All bodies, all ages, all genders, all racial identities, all experience levels. We welcome you to explore our many offerings. And never hesitate to contact us if you have questions or concerns. We are here to support you in your dance journey.
Questions? Email [email protected] |
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new to uma?
Check Out Our
$40 Intro Month :
New to UMA? Get UNLIMITED classes for your first month for only $40! If you've been to one of our locations, but not the other, you are eligible for an Intro Month at the location you haven't been to. Intro Months start at the point of purchase and expire after 1 month. They do not automatically renew. Intro Months are not transferable between locations and do not include series. After your Intro Month, you can choose to attend classes via $19 drop ins, or Standard Memberships.
visit us at one of our two locations!
UMA HEADQUARTERS @
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Check out our new location @ 812 Chestnut!Urban Movement Arts at 812 Chestnut is housed at a unique location called Range of Motion. Range of Motion is a venue that features unique programming from MoveMakers Philly, Martial Posture, After School Philly alongside Urban Movement Arts. It is where Philadelphians can come to enjoy various forms of dance, martial arts and adult acrobatics all under one roof. Expect some of the same classes that can be found at UMA HQ at 2100 Chestnut, but there are a number of unique features only available at 812.
The cool and friendly vibe at 812 will certainly be consistent with what many have come to love about 2100 Chestnut. Be a part of the UMA's action at 812 Chestnut St. 812 Chestnut MindBody Profile
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The schedules above take folks to all regular weekly programming, but there are more UMA special programs that are either niche classes or off-regular schedule items like series and workshops listed below. Read more below!
Help Us Get A New Floor @ UMA!
Help Us Lay the Groundwork for the Next 10 Years!
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Why a New Floor Matters
A professional dance floor is not just a cosmetic improvement—it is a necessary investment in dancer safety and the quality of the studio experience. Our current flooring has seen ten years of use and hundreds of thousands of footsteps. It’s time to renew our foundation so we can continue to grow.
- Dancer Health and Safety: Whether someone is learning their first steps or rehearsing for a performance, their body deserves a surface that supports longevity.
- A Functional and Welcoming Event Space: UMA regularly hosts public events, artist residencies, performances, and community workshops. A new floor will enhance the professionalism and accessibility of our space, making it a stronger resource for the local arts scene.
- Visual and Structural Revitalization: New flooring will dramatically improve the appearance and functionality of the studio. It’s a simple yet powerful way to uplift everyone who walks through our doors.
Our Broader Mission
Urban Movement Arts is more than a dance studio. It is a cultural space rooted in inclusivity, artistry, and social connection. We are proud to:
- Run MoveMakers Philly, a youth dance and music program that helps young movers grow with confidence and discipline
- Offer adult dance and movement classes that welcome beginners and advanced dancers alike
- Provide community outreach programming in collaboration with schools and nonprofits
- Support live music collaborations and interdisciplinary art-making
- Uphold and share the legacy of Black vernacular dance, celebrating its innovation and history
How You Can Help
We are raising funds to cover the cost of installing a professional-grade dance floor. Every contribution helps us reach our goal and ensures that our space remains safe, vibrant, and welcoming for years to come.
Here’s how you can support:
- Make a donation of any amount to our Floor Fund
- Sponsor a square foot of flooring in honor of a dancer, teacher, or community member, suggested $100-150
- Share our campaign with friends, family, and anyone who values art, movement, and community
Sales!
Check out special sales to UMA classes and series! Make sure to note sale terms at the point of purchase
upcoming workshops/events
Check out special classes and events outside of the regular weekly schedules!
2v2 All Styles Battle
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2 v 2 All Styles Battle
November 30th, 5-9pm First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut Final Competition of the 2025 Season REGISTER TO BATTLE: $25 per person SPECTATOR TICKETS: $20 |
Open to any 2 person teams that would like to battle. Each team member must complete battle registration.
UMA concludes it's battle program season with its inaugural 2 v 2 competition. Marcus Tucker, director of battle workshops, has led a group of students and guest instructors Bboy Rukkus and Ricky ''Glytch" Evans in workshops that support students with polishing their individual skills while learning how to strategize with a teammate for competition. Crew Battles are a central component in street dance culture. UMA battle workshop participants have had the opportunity to explore the experience of training in a crew. We invite all UMA students and beyond to battle or to join as spectacles and of course for the party. Let's bring the hype to close out UMA's first battle workshop season. |
UMA Dip Programs in November
THE UMA DIP: STANDARD PROGRAM
The UMA Dip provides newcomers to dance and beginner movers with options for getting started in a way that is personalized and comfortably paced. There are options for introductory one on one consultations as well as group classes. This is the best option for individuals that want to truly be supported as beginners
THE UMA DIP: HOUSE DANCE
House Dance is the dance done to house music. The UMA Dip: House Edition will provide participants with a reliable introductory course to the dance form. We teach house based in the language developed by pioneering Black and Latino dancers in NYC in the late 80s to mid 2000s. The Dip will breakdown how to coordinate the body to the tempo of the music so that your bounce and sway has groove. We will teach mechanics for "jacking" which is the defining rock and bounce in house dance. Mechanics will also be taught for houses' fast and intricate footwork. The class will be organized in a way that supports students with achieving ownership of a set number of vocabulary moves and tools for continued practice.
THE UMA DIP: FEMME- PAUSED FOR NOVEMBER
UMA Dip: Femme offers beginner movers a welcoming space to explore and develop feminine movement, focusing on building confidence and comfort in sensuality. Drawing from Heels dance, Vogue, and Waacking Posing techniques, this class encourages self-expression and empowers students to engage with their bodies through feminine movement choices. A key element of the program is developing the functional technique required to move gracefully in heels—starting with foundational work without heels. Through a series of targeted drills, students will strengthen their feet and ankles, enhance awareness in their hips, and improve overall posture, all while cultivating the skills to move with fluidity and confidence.
Martial Arts Classes
@ 812 Chestnut/ Range of motion
We appreciate you considering Range of Motion Philly for your Martial Arts Journey. Please read below to better familiarize yourself with our program. We are a learning community that approaches exploration of the martial arts with modesty, humility, respect and friendship as some of our core values. We are interested in welcoming individuals who are interested in pursuing a martial arts journey that helps them to better enrich themselves and others. Although we engage the competitive spirit at times, we are a learning environment that centers itself on the tenant of cooperation. If this resonates with you, then our home might be for you.
Contact [email protected] to schedule a trial.
Contact [email protected] to schedule a trial.
Class Schedule
Mondays
6-7pm ROM Martial Arts Mobility & Drilling
7-8pm ROM Kickboxing & Karate
Tuesdays
6-7pm ROM Martial Arts Mobility & Drilling
7-8pm ROM Grappling
8-9pm ROM Kickboxing & Karate
Wednesdays
6-7pm ROM Martial Arts Mobility & Drilling
7-8pm ROM Kickboxing & Karate
8-9pm ROM Grappling
Thursdays
6-7pm ROM Martial Arts Mobility / The Art of Kicking
Saturdays
10:45-11:30am Family Martial Arts
Mondays
6-7pm ROM Martial Arts Mobility & Drilling
7-8pm ROM Kickboxing & Karate
Tuesdays
6-7pm ROM Martial Arts Mobility & Drilling
7-8pm ROM Grappling
8-9pm ROM Kickboxing & Karate
Wednesdays
6-7pm ROM Martial Arts Mobility & Drilling
7-8pm ROM Kickboxing & Karate
8-9pm ROM Grappling
Thursdays
6-7pm ROM Martial Arts Mobility / The Art of Kicking
Saturdays
10:45-11:30am Family Martial Arts
Complete beginner?
We have our program for ABSOLUTE beginner dancers and movers. If you are someone who is looking for a slow paced introduction to dance/ movement, check out 'The UMA Dip'
More program info below!
More program info below!
the uma dip
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The UMA Dip is a program designed for folks that have absolutely no dance experience and would enjoy a comprehensive on-board type of experience. This is also an excellent program for individuals who are interested in developing better connection and control with their bodies.
This beginner program is great for folks looking to get into general dance classes on the UMA schedule such as hip hop, house dance, contemporary, popping etc. If you are looking for a program that will help you work on level changes, inversions, flexibility, strength and agility, check out 'The Ron Wood Universe' |
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Say Yes Philly!
Say Yes Philly! our network’s non-profit partner is officially open! It has been a long time coming. Have you been following the journey?
Say Yes Philly's mission is to provide equitable access to performing and multi-media arts education for Pre-K-12th grade students and capacity building resources for emerging artists in Philadelphia, emphasizing multiculturalism and breaking down social barriers.
donate
This Spring will officially be our last fundraising season with Archedream for Humankind (ADHK) as our fiscal sponsor. We intended to launch this Spring with Say Yes' systems for processing donations in place, but we've run into some hold ups in the bureaucratic process. We have an EIN and all the necessary paperwork completed, so the IRS knows where to find Say Yes Philly. Unfortunately, we were not able to get all of our bureaucratic ducks in a row for this launch. Although it would be ideal to have donors directly making tax deductible donations to Say Yes, making our launch feel more complete, we do not want to delay our schedule for providing summer camp scholarships. Each week we wait, the fewer scholarships we can provide. ADHK is set up and ready to continue to support our efforts. Patty and everyone at ADHK have been tremendous supporters in getting us off the ground, much like you. Let's join to make this launch of Say Yes Philly also a big thank you to our lovely supporters, ADHK.
Our Target Goals is $15,000
Help Us Reach Our Goal!
Our Target Goals is $15,000
Help Us Reach Our Goal!
*The hyperlink for donation will take you to our fiscal sponsor, ADHK’s PayPal page. You will initially receive a receipt that payment is complete. Soon after, you will receive an email notice that contains information for your tax filing.
To donate by check, email [email protected]
To donate by check, email [email protected]
Special Programming @ UMA
Outside of our regular schedule, we offer special programs. Most of these programs require registration for the full series outside of your UMA memberships or class cards. Check the out below!
skate dance classes
with Great on Skates
Offered @ UMA 812 Chestnut location
Sundays
SKATES REQUIRED
Offered @ UMA 812 Chestnut location
Sundays
SKATES REQUIRED
Great on Skates was born out of a simple idea: bringing high quality, accessible and affordable roller skate education to the entire community of both skaters and non skaters. Their unique approach to learning and top quality faculty makes Great on Skates one of the best classes in Philly.
parkour classes
Offered @ 812 Chestnut location
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Want to build strength and coordination AND have fun at the same time? Come check out our Adult Parkour class with Liam McKay
Wednesdays at 7pm @ #UMA 812 Chestnut location Register through our website schedule page via a $15 drop in or monthly membership! |
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UMA Updated Mask Policy- Effective 4/18/2022
MASKS OPTIONAL. The city of Philadelphia has lifted its indoor mask mandate. Masks will be OPTIONAL at UMA. We ask that you thoughtfully consider your personal situation and family circumstances in your mask-wearing decisions.
MASKS OPTIONAL. The city of Philadelphia has lifted its indoor mask mandate. Masks will be OPTIONAL at UMA. We ask that you thoughtfully consider your personal situation and family circumstances in your mask-wearing decisions.