new to dance? We got you!
Urban Movement Arts (UMA) strives to be an ideal environment for adults who are completely new to dance. We understand that people embark on dance in adulthood for many different reasons. Our goal is to be able to accommodate you regardless of your motivations, whether it is skill building, exercise, making new friends or just for novelty.
UMA’s line up of classes are primarily based in contemporary Black American folkloric dance, African folkloric dance, Latin American dance and contemporary somatic and movement culture practices. Some of you might be wondering what Black American folkloric dance is. Anything from Lindy Hop to Hip Hop to Breakdance are American folklore that were born in U.S.’s Black communities. UMA is a proud ambassador of many dance forms that fall into the category of Black American Folklore.
UMA invites you to explore the many benefits that come from a dance practice with us. We are a space where you can de-stress, make friends and grow, all the while, celebrating and commemorating the communities and cultures that have laid the foundations for the mediums that we express ourselves within.
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.
UMA’s line up of classes are primarily based in contemporary Black American folkloric dance, African folkloric dance, Latin American dance and contemporary somatic and movement culture practices. Some of you might be wondering what Black American folkloric dance is. Anything from Lindy Hop to Hip Hop to Breakdance are American folklore that were born in U.S.’s Black communities. UMA is a proud ambassador of many dance forms that fall into the category of Black American Folklore.
UMA invites you to explore the many benefits that come from a dance practice with us. We are a space where you can de-stress, make friends and grow, all the while, celebrating and commemorating the communities and cultures that have laid the foundations for the mediums that we express ourselves within.
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.
WHAT CLASSES SHOULD I TAKE AS A BEGINNER?
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. More info below!
General Classes Suggested for Beginners and New Movers
Solo Salsa (Beginner), Solo Bachata, Hip Hop Dance (Beginner), House Dance (Beginner), Vogue Elements (Beginner/Intermediate), Afro HIIT.
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. More info below!
General Classes Suggested for Beginners and New Movers
Solo Salsa (Beginner), Solo Bachata, Hip Hop Dance (Beginner), House Dance (Beginner), Vogue Elements (Beginner/Intermediate), Afro HIIT.
The uma dip
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
What is the UMA Dip and Why Should You Take It?
A Google search for Beginner Dance Classes will certainly generate many results. But the percentage of these options that are truly a beginner experience will likely be low. In most cases, a Beginner Dance Class means that the moves are more basic than those taught in a more advanced class. The result is that most Beginner Dance Classes advertised are not actually teaching newcomers how to dance and particularly how to orient and prepare themselves to have a sustainable practice as dancers.
The UMA Dip is a program designed for newcomers to dance who want a comprehensive introduction to dance. There is much more that goes into dance than following along to steps and choreography of a teacher. The UMA Dip gives students the opportunity to truly explore what goes into being a dancer and to ultimately establish a practice for themselves.
The UMA Dip will cover the following:
Body Preparation: how to condition one's body to perform the feats that are presented in a dance class, working on balance, flexibility, agility, mobility and strength.
Body Awareness: Understanding functional mobility concepts, how to sense yourself in space and in relation to rhythm, how to transpose the choreography of another onto your own body.
Tools for class participation: Understanding how to orient oneself in class in order to follow the teacher and retain information taught.
UMA lineup overview: We will provide you with a general sense of the various dance forms taught at UMA, so that you can enter classes with requisite knowledge.
Form: How to distinguish different forms; for example, being able to tell the difference between hip hop and house dance, understanding the unique demands of each. Ultimately, the goal is to develop an understanding of how to adapt oneself to move within the structures of a particular form.
Expression: Developing a sense of how to produce affectation within the dance form practiced, understanding common trops within the form, while tapping into your own unique expression.
Tools for practice: We will provide you with insights on how to develop your own practice, taking ownership of the material that you learn so that you can truly have a sense of yourself as a dancer.
Cultural Understanding: All of the dance forms taught at UMA have been generated from folkloric practices. We will provide historical and cultural context for what you are learning.
The UMA Dip will concentrate on preparing students to be successful with UMA’s line up of classes. However, completing the UMA Dip programming will provide you with tools to be successful in dance forms that we don’t teach, supporting you to be successful in dance no matter where or how you practice. After the UMA Dip you will have a better sense of yourself as a mover in general.
The UMA Dip is a program designed for newcomers to dance who want a comprehensive introduction to dance. There is much more that goes into dance than following along to steps and choreography of a teacher. The UMA Dip gives students the opportunity to truly explore what goes into being a dancer and to ultimately establish a practice for themselves.
The UMA Dip will cover the following:
Body Preparation: how to condition one's body to perform the feats that are presented in a dance class, working on balance, flexibility, agility, mobility and strength.
Body Awareness: Understanding functional mobility concepts, how to sense yourself in space and in relation to rhythm, how to transpose the choreography of another onto your own body.
Tools for class participation: Understanding how to orient oneself in class in order to follow the teacher and retain information taught.
UMA lineup overview: We will provide you with a general sense of the various dance forms taught at UMA, so that you can enter classes with requisite knowledge.
Form: How to distinguish different forms; for example, being able to tell the difference between hip hop and house dance, understanding the unique demands of each. Ultimately, the goal is to develop an understanding of how to adapt oneself to move within the structures of a particular form.
Expression: Developing a sense of how to produce affectation within the dance form practiced, understanding common trops within the form, while tapping into your own unique expression.
Tools for practice: We will provide you with insights on how to develop your own practice, taking ownership of the material that you learn so that you can truly have a sense of yourself as a dancer.
Cultural Understanding: All of the dance forms taught at UMA have been generated from folkloric practices. We will provide historical and cultural context for what you are learning.
The UMA Dip will concentrate on preparing students to be successful with UMA’s line up of classes. However, completing the UMA Dip programming will provide you with tools to be successful in dance forms that we don’t teach, supporting you to be successful in dance no matter where or how you practice. After the UMA Dip you will have a better sense of yourself as a mover in general.