Welcome to uma!
|
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] |
|
new to uma?
Check Out Our
Intro Month :
New to UMA? Get UNLIMITED classes for your first month for only $40 @ 2100 and $25 @ 812 Chestnut! 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 @
|
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
|
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!
We are Hiring!
Sales!
Check out special sales to UMA classes and series! Make sure to note sale terms at the point of purchase
15 Class Card Sale
@ both locations
Between now and 10/18 purchase a 15 Class Card at either location for only $199- thats up to $86 in savings!
Terms:
-Class Cards are not transferrable between locations
-15 Class Cards expire 4 months after purchase
-Only on sale through 10/18
-Class Cards are not valid for ROM Martial Arts and Series
Terms:
-Class Cards are not transferrable between locations
-15 Class Cards expire 4 months after purchase
-Only on sale through 10/18
-Class Cards are not valid for ROM Martial Arts and Series
upcoming workshops/events
Check out special classes and events outside of the regular weekly schedules!
Register to Perform in WORKINONIT Dec. 2026!
Register to perform in WORKINONIT December! UMA instructors choreograph on casts of student performers. You can sign up for one piece or multiple!
|
REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS 10/15
Sign up for the choreographer's piece that you would like to participate in below. We will contact you to complete payment after 10/15 REHEARSAL DATES: Oct 18- Dec 12 Show Date: Dec 13 @ First Unitarian Church PRICING: Pricing: NON-MEMBERS $125 Non-member registration $25 add on MEMBERS $95 Member registration $15 add on *If you are a member of a Collective, you receive 40% off your registration *If you are a member of TWO Collectives, you receive 50% off your registration *If you are a member of ALL 3 Collectives, you receive 55% off your registration |
REHEARSALS
VIRGIL GADSON Oct 24-Dec 12 Saturdays 4-5:30pm @ 2100 Chestnut @ 2100 Chestnut ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RACHEL ORJI Oct 23-Dec 11 Fridays 6-7:30pm @ 812 Chestnut The following rehearsal is RESCHEDULED: NOV 27 CANCELLED- Rescheduled to 11/22 from 3:30-5pm @ 812 Chestnut ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CHLOE MARIE Oct 24-Dec 12 Saturdays 5:30-7:00pm @ 2100 Chestnut The following rehearsals are RESCHEDULED: 10/31 RESCHEDULED to 10/25 from 2-3:30pm @ 2100 Chestnut 11/7 RESCHEDULED to 11/13 from 7-8:30pm @ 2100 Chestnut 11/28 RESCHEDULED to 12/6 1-2:30pm @ 2100 Chestnut ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ALLISON SMITH Oct 23-Dec 11 Fridays 7:30-9pm @ 812 Chestnut The following rehearsal is RESCHEDULED: Nov 6th is rescheduled to Thursday, Nov 5, 7:30-9pm @ 2100 Chestnut ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DYLAN SMYTHE Oct 18-Dec 6 Sundays 10:30am-12 @ 812 Chestnut The following rehearsal is RESCHEDULED: Oct 15th is rescheduled. Reschedule date TBD |
WORKINONIT: UMA Community Artist Showcase
5 Artist Opportunities | December 13
WORKINONIT is opening 5 Community Artist Showcase spots for students, emerging choreographers, independent artists, teachers and other artists connected to the broader UMA community to develop and/or present their own work.
Send applications by 10/19
Two Participation Options
PRESENTING ARTIST — $150
Includes:
PRESENTING ARTIST + REHEARSAL SPACE — $325
Includes everything above, plus:
Performance Format
This is an intentionally simple presentation environment.
Works will be presented toward the east or west side of Griffin Hall with a black backdrop. Basic sound is provided. Lighting will use a general single-color/look rather than individualized lighting design.
Submission
Email [email protected] with:
5 artists will be selected. Selection will consider both submission order and the quality/readiness of the proposed presentation.
WORKINONIT is opening 5 Community Artist Showcase spots for students, emerging choreographers, independent artists, teachers and other artists connected to the broader UMA community to develop and/or present their own work.
Send applications by 10/19
Two Participation Options
PRESENTING ARTIST — $150
Includes:
- Performance slot in WORKINONIT
- First Unitarian Church performance venue
- Basic sound and lighting
- Event marketing
- Photo/video documentation of your performance
- Opportunity to submit photos, video and information about your work for inclusion in UMA/WORKINONIT promotion
- Basic production support
PRESENTING ARTIST + REHEARSAL SPACE — $325
Includes everything above, plus:
- Up to 20 hours of rehearsal space at UMA
- Access is limited to designated available studio times
- Current mirrored-studio availability at 2100 Chestnut and 812 Chestnut is primarily Monday–Friday, 8 AM–2 PM
- Additional times may be available depending on the studio schedule
- Rehearsal hours are non-transferable, do not roll over, and expire at the conclusion of this WORKINONIT cycle
Performance Format
This is an intentionally simple presentation environment.
Works will be presented toward the east or west side of Griffin Hall with a black backdrop. Basic sound is provided. Lighting will use a general single-color/look rather than individualized lighting design.
Submission
Email [email protected] with:
- Brief description of your work
- Approximate number of performers
- Brief description of your dance/performance experience
- Is this your first time setting/choreographing a piece? If not, briefly describe your previous experience.
- Have you previously participated in or attended WORKINONIT or Flow State?
- Work samples/video are welcome when available.
5 artists will be selected. Selection will consider both submission order and the quality/readiness of the proposed presentation.
FOR BEGINNERS!
UMA Dip Programs
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
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. NO HEELS will be used for this series.
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. NO HEELS will be used for this series.
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
|
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' |
|
UMA Floor Fundraiser
Donate to help us cross the finish line so we can enter our 10th Anniversary year with a brand new floor!
Our fundraiser has been running for a year now and we are so close to completing our goal. We aim to raise another 10k for our 10th year so we can continue serving as a central place for Street & Club dance education here in Philadelphia for all ages.
Thank you to all the families, community members, and strangers that have already donated to our initiative! We appreciate all the time and work students, staff, and local artists have contributed to make our fundraiser happen!
Our fundraiser has been running for a year now and we are so close to completing our goal. We aim to raise another 10k for our 10th year so we can continue serving as a central place for Street & Club dance education here in Philadelphia for all ages.
Thank you to all the families, community members, and strangers that have already donated to our initiative! We appreciate all the time and work students, staff, and local artists have contributed to make our fundraiser happen!
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]