Class Spotlight: Classes with Alexis!

Alexis teaches All Levels Hip Hop @ 2100 Chestnut, and Hip Hop and Beginner House at 812 Chestnut! You can see his full schedule below. 

Mondays @ 812
6:00-7:00pm  Beginner Hip Hop Dance
7:00-8:00 Beginner House Dance

Tuesdays @ 2100 
7:00-8:00 All Levels Hip Hop

Thursdays @ 2100 
8:00-9:00 All Levels Hip Hop

Learn more about Alexis and his classes below!

Learn more about Alexis & His UMA Classes!

-How did you get involved in dance?

I've danced since I was in diapers, so I guess you could say it was one of my first languages. Growing up I was always on the move & making little dances up to songs I liked, until I started taking classes at the age of 11 and wanted to keep goin ever since! 


-What is your training background?

I first trained in Hip Hop since i was in middle school, from then & throughout high school I trained in that along with contemporary and jazz dance. During my college years I trained in various codified Modern Dance techniques, Ballet, African Dance, & Afro Caribbean. Late college years into the present I've broadened my knowledge of more street dance styles such as House, Vogue, Street Jazz, & foundational Hip Hop.


-How do you go about creating choreo for your classes? What inspires you? What music do you like to use?

As an instructor I really emphasize  groundedness & articulation; what it takes to be aware & consistent of these attributes, physically, as well as playing within the dynamics of full body dancing VS. isolations. I like to move my torso, whine my hips, and be intricate with my hands and feet as well so I'm drawn to music that has a lot of different rhythms or melodies I can play with to embody those dynamics (Afro beats, house, R&B, Hip hop) Also, sometimes I create on the spot! I usually have different people with different skill levels in class, every class, so I like to feel out the room & see what magic comes about. 


-What is Street Dance to you? Why have you pursued Street Dance?

Street Dance is Culture. It's community. It's Afro-Diasporic. Its Love, strength, passion, a viiibe, spiritual, joy, an escape, its home. It's my first love, and I can honestly say if I live without it for too long I feel disconnected from my truest self! I'm consistently inspired by the variety of communities I've connected with, the complexities of the physicality of street dance, the history of the culture as it has existed and continues to evolve is enthralling and I'm excited to grow with it!


-What do you want folks who take your class to take away from your class?

Knowing their bodies a little more, knowing they had fun, got a workout, a bit of a brain teaser (hehe), and that it's never too soon/late or no one is ever too young or old to dance.


The UMA community has been a blessing to me and I'm elated to see it shift, Shine & grow in Love🫶🏽

Thanks Alexis!