• Home
    • Prices
    • Instructors
    • Class Guide
    • The UMAMI Collective
    • Battle Training Program
    • Donate: Say Yes Philly
    • Contact >
      • Kids Classes
    • Hire Us! >
      • Corporate & Community Programs
    • Blog
  • 2100 Chestnut Schedule
    • Prices
  • 812 Chestnut Schedule
    • Martial Arts Classes
    • Prices
  • For beginners
    • The UMA Dip: Standard
    • The UMA Dip: House Dance
    • UMA Dip: Femme
    • The Deep Dive
  • Private Lessons
    • Partner Dance Privates
  • Studio Rentals
    • Rent at 2100 Chestnut >
      • 2100 Chestnut Studio Rental Members
  • Say Yes Philly!
    • Projects
UMA PHILLY
  • Home
    • Prices
    • Instructors
    • Class Guide
    • The UMAMI Collective
    • Battle Training Program
    • Donate: Say Yes Philly
    • Contact >
      • Kids Classes
    • Hire Us! >
      • Corporate & Community Programs
    • Blog
  • 2100 Chestnut Schedule
    • Prices
  • 812 Chestnut Schedule
    • Martial Arts Classes
    • Prices
  • For beginners
    • The UMA Dip: Standard
    • The UMA Dip: House Dance
    • UMA Dip: Femme
    • The Deep Dive
  • Private Lessons
    • Partner Dance Privates
  • Studio Rentals
    • Rent at 2100 Chestnut >
      • 2100 Chestnut Studio Rental Members
  • Say Yes Philly!
    • Projects

uma blog

Heels Dance workshop

4/7/2021

 

sophiann mahalia teaches a heels dance workshop this sunday, April 11th!

Sunday, April 11th @ 2:30pm
90 Minutes | All Levels 
​Sign up through our homepage!
A current Philadelphia Artist, Sophiann Mahalia moved from Hartford, Connecticut to receive her BFA in Dance Choreography and Performance from Temple University. Sophiann graduated Summa Cum Laude and had the honor of being the recipient of the Rose Vernick  Most Promising Performers Award.  

Sophiann’s dance credentials include Equilibrium Dance Theatre, D2D: Dare To Dance, and Kariamu and Company: Traditions. She has trained under Lee Aca Thompson, who has influenced artists such as Michael Peters choreographer for Michael Jackson’s Thriller, and Dr. Kariamu Welsh, creator of the Umfundalai technique. She has studied West African, Modern, Ballet, Hip hop, Waacking, and Umfundalai with AQiida Gilbert, Dara Stevens-Meredith, Dr. Kariamu Welsh, Jillian Harris, Jolet Creary, Kun Yang Lin, Laura Katz Rizzo, Lee Aca Thompson, and Stephen Hankey.

Her recent works include music video Clarity for singing artist Saleka Night Shyamalan directed by Ishani  Shyamalan and M. Night Shyamalan. Alongside this, she was one of the featured dancers for Ari Lennox’s Shea Butter Baby music video featuring J Cole. In the commercial world, Sophiann has had the opportunity to do work for companies such as BOMBAS,  gone on tour with the Clothesline Muse starring six time nominated jazz singer Nnenna Freelon and performed in New Freedom Theatre’s Black Nativity directed by Rajendra Maroon Maharaj.
She promotes body positivity and strongly uses dance to tell the story that can’t be understood with just words, but movement. Sophiann Mahalia explores dance through her own experiences of the black dancing body by using her fusion of african, hip hop, and waacking to promote the limitless and regal  qualities of womanhood within the black dancing body. She aspires to inspire other artists to take their artistry to the next level as she does the same.

I spoke with Sophiann to get a sense of what to expect from her workshop! Check it out!
Picture
What is a heels dance class? 
I don’t want to generalize because all classes are different- there are master teachers like Kiira Harper for instance, that really break down the essence of a heels class. For my class we are focusing more on our own sensuality- how you feel in your own body with these heels on. We pay attention to how the heels create beautiful lines and how you can start to play with these extensions to slay your own way!

The heels help bring you up and keep you forward- they’re an extension of your own body. They are tools to help you expand your own movement and tap into your truest and most playful self. Heels help me find a way to fit into my own pocket when I dance. My advice is-don’t try to compare yourself to someone else when you are taking a heels class. 

What do you feel like taking a heels class has to offer in terms of empowerment and getting in touch with a more feminine and sensual side?
 From society we get a lot of messages about what is taboo- you shouldn’t wear that or you can’t touch here. But in a heels class you get to play with sensuality. You don’t have to feel like “oh I’m doing too much”- No! You can do more! And we’re gunna love it. In a heels class you can be whatever you want to be. It’s very empowering to be able to own your own body in that moment. 

Do you need heels to take this class? 
Nope! If you don’t have heels it’s ok! Come in sneakers and show them off!

What type of heels are best for dancing in? 
I usually like heels that hold your ankle. I wouldn’t use pumps in this class- sometimes you move quickly so you want something that's more secure. 

What are you looking forward to in teaching this workshop?
I’m so excited to get back into the studio since the pandemic. I’m excited to play with some choreo and dance with people!​

Check out Sophiann's Website!
This piece, choreographed by Sophiann, features dancers: Ama Gora (@sheabutta_mami and Surya Swilley (@swilley_). Music: Ja Ara E by Burna Boy (@burnaboygram) Videography: Kai (@rbkvisuals) MUA: Kymmie (@kingkymmie

Comments are closed.

    Contributors

    Kayla Bobalek
    ​Lily Kind
    Vince Johnson

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Locations

812 Chestnut St

Search ​'Urban Movement Arts @ 812 Chestnut' on Google Maps

2100 Chestnut St. 2nd Flr

*entrance is on 21st! between Rione Pizza & Monde Market*

Social

UMA welcomes all ages, body types, experience levels, races, genders, sexual orientations and nationalities. 

what the people say

"TALK ABOUT GREAT VIBES AND ENERGY! " - Stylishly Fearless
"This is the spot people! keep it up UMA." - Scott S
  • Home
    • Prices
    • Instructors
    • Class Guide
    • The UMAMI Collective
    • Battle Training Program
    • Donate: Say Yes Philly
    • Contact >
      • Kids Classes
    • Hire Us! >
      • Corporate & Community Programs
    • Blog
  • 2100 Chestnut Schedule
    • Prices
  • 812 Chestnut Schedule
    • Martial Arts Classes
    • Prices
  • For beginners
    • The UMA Dip: Standard
    • The UMA Dip: House Dance
    • UMA Dip: Femme
    • The Deep Dive
  • Private Lessons
    • Partner Dance Privates
  • Studio Rentals
    • Rent at 2100 Chestnut >
      • 2100 Chestnut Studio Rental Members
  • Say Yes Philly!
    • Projects