'The UMAMI Collective' is one of UMA's adult performance programs that gives students the opportunity to perform throughout the year, refine movement ability, and hone in on performance skills. This program offers three different levels for any mover to experience the opportunity to perform or be a part of a movement visual. The mission is to create an environment that supports dancers by giving tools needed to perform and prepare dancers to participate in professional work.
The artistic director, Rylee Locker, will lead students through technical training, improvisation exercises, and performance workshops for dancers to develop the skills and confidence to deliver performances across a variety of dance styles and genres. The specific genres that will be explored are the styles of Heels Dance, Voguing, and Waacking, but Rylee's pedagogy embodies her personal movement practices which may also include Street Jazz/Hip Hop/House/Contemporary/Jazz. More forms may be explored by invited guest artists or student choreography.
Besides improving the quality of performance and foundation, this program will allow dancers the space to build community amongst other movers at UMA and various Philly dance scenes. Students will exercise their creative process, learn how to take notes from choreographers, work effectively with peers, become adaptable dancers, prepare for auditions, and develop basic entrepreneurship skills.
We are committed to providing a supportive and collaborative learning environment where dancers of all levels can develop their performance qualities, refine their artistry, and unlock their full potential as movers on the stage.
The artistic director, Rylee Locker, will lead students through technical training, improvisation exercises, and performance workshops for dancers to develop the skills and confidence to deliver performances across a variety of dance styles and genres. The specific genres that will be explored are the styles of Heels Dance, Voguing, and Waacking, but Rylee's pedagogy embodies her personal movement practices which may also include Street Jazz/Hip Hop/House/Contemporary/Jazz. More forms may be explored by invited guest artists or student choreography.
Besides improving the quality of performance and foundation, this program will allow dancers the space to build community amongst other movers at UMA and various Philly dance scenes. Students will exercise their creative process, learn how to take notes from choreographers, work effectively with peers, become adaptable dancers, prepare for auditions, and develop basic entrepreneurship skills.
We are committed to providing a supportive and collaborative learning environment where dancers of all levels can develop their performance qualities, refine their artistry, and unlock their full potential as movers on the stage.
Open Auditions/ Level Placements
Placement Process Experience “Mock Audition”
August 16th 5:30-8:30pm at 2100 Chestnut St
August 16th 5:30-8:30pm at 2100 Chestnut St
Placement process will determine who gets placed in what level.
We are evaluating based on effort and ability to execute choreography, technique of the focused forms, adaptability, awareness of space, and this student questionnaire.
This experience is meant to simulate how a traditional Audition would go, we do not want to turn anyone away, but we only have the capacity/resources to fill each level to 20-25 participants.
If people want to enroll into the program at a later date it would be by case by case or invite only basis if space permits that.
Level Upgrades throughout the season would come from leadership otherwise students would wait until the next open placement process
We are evaluating based on effort and ability to execute choreography, technique of the focused forms, adaptability, awareness of space, and this student questionnaire.
This experience is meant to simulate how a traditional Audition would go, we do not want to turn anyone away, but we only have the capacity/resources to fill each level to 20-25 participants.
If people want to enroll into the program at a later date it would be by case by case or invite only basis if space permits that.
Level Upgrades throughout the season would come from leadership otherwise students would wait until the next open placement process
Program Features/Tentative Calendar
Monthly tuition includes weekly training and exclusive participation in UMA events. The features for the program require different production needs dependent on the goal of the event. Select experiences and events will require an additional a la carte costs. But there are perks/discounts for UMA programming as a member of the Umami Collective.
Monthly Tuition: $85
Perks:
20% off memberships and class cards
40% off WORKINONIT and UMAMI WORKSHOP reg
40% off UMA Shows Up Reg
If you are enrolled in BOTH UMAMI Collective and UMA Groove Collective, you are eligible for the following perks:
30% off memberships and class cards
50% off WORKINONIT and UMAMI WORKSHOP Registration
50% off UMA Shows Up Registration
Season Starts September 2025 and ends June 2026
Weekly Training:
Level 1: This level accommodates movers at an Intro and Beginner level.
-Sundays 5-7pm Level 1 @ 812 Chestnut St
Level 2: This level accommodates movers at an Advanced Beginner/Intermediate level.
-Sundays 7-9pm Level 2 @ 812 Chestnut St
Level 3: This level accommodates movers at an Intermediate/Advanced level.
-Tuesdays 9pm -11pm @ 2100 Chestnut St
Monthly Tuition: $85
Perks:
20% off memberships and class cards
40% off WORKINONIT and UMAMI WORKSHOP reg
40% off UMA Shows Up Reg
If you are enrolled in BOTH UMAMI Collective and UMA Groove Collective, you are eligible for the following perks:
30% off memberships and class cards
50% off WORKINONIT and UMAMI WORKSHOP Registration
50% off UMA Shows Up Registration
Season Starts September 2025 and ends June 2026
Weekly Training:
Level 1: This level accommodates movers at an Intro and Beginner level.
-Sundays 5-7pm Level 1 @ 812 Chestnut St
Level 2: This level accommodates movers at an Advanced Beginner/Intermediate level.
-Sundays 7-9pm Level 2 @ 812 Chestnut St
Level 3: This level accommodates movers at an Intermediate/Advanced level.
-Tuesdays 9pm -11pm @ 2100 Chestnut St
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Movement Visual/Headshots
WORKINONIT- December
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Event at Fringe Arts - January
UMA Shows Up- May
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Values & Expectations
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Consistent communication with your program leaders about:
Promote unity amongst the group and within the community. We work with and help each other prepare. Promoting self pride and group pride for the artistic works they are a part of creating and being in Consistent attendance at practice
Respecting others, treating others how you would want to be treated Respecting the space policies Approaching processes and activities with openness |
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About Rylee Locker
Originally from Phoenix, AZ, Rylee Locker, also known as Rylee Prodigy, is a dance artist and educator based out of Philadelphia, PA. She graduated from Arizona State University in 2019, receiving her BFA in Dance Education and ended up moving to Philadelphia to further pursue her career in the Ballroom Scene. Now, Rylee is known Internationally for her award winning performances in the Ballroom Scene. She currently serves as the Philadelphia Mother of the Iconic House of Prodigy. Rylee recently received “Woman Of The Year 23-24” for the Ballroom Scene, “Mother Of The Year 2023” in the Philadelphia Ballroom Scene, and holds Seventeen “Of The Year” titles for Women’s Performance. Rylee is also the Founding Mother of the Kiki House of Paragon, founded in 2020, trailblazing Ballroom culture in Arizona. Aside from Voguing at Balls, she also can be seen dancing in All Style Battles.
As an educator, Rylee centers her pedagogical practices around how community empowers our movement. It is important to her to organize community events, prioritize the accommodation of students’ needs, and empower students to take agency of their bodies. She teaches Vogue Femme, Heels Dance, Contemporary, Waacking, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Street Jazz. She travels as a teaching artist around the States and has taught workshops in S. Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Berlin and Toronto. Currently, Rylee is a resident teacher at Urban Movement Arts based in Philadelphia and an adjunct professor at Rider University. As a Choreographer, Rylee creates Contemporary work that centers fluidity and femininity, which incorporates Contemporary, Vogue, Waacking, and Heels dance. This involves work created for the stage and intimate community settings. Altogether Rylee strives to inspire and empower others through her art and pedagogical practices. Follow her @ryleeprodigy to stay updated with her work.
As an educator, Rylee centers her pedagogical practices around how community empowers our movement. It is important to her to organize community events, prioritize the accommodation of students’ needs, and empower students to take agency of their bodies. She teaches Vogue Femme, Heels Dance, Contemporary, Waacking, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Street Jazz. She travels as a teaching artist around the States and has taught workshops in S. Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Berlin and Toronto. Currently, Rylee is a resident teacher at Urban Movement Arts based in Philadelphia and an adjunct professor at Rider University. As a Choreographer, Rylee creates Contemporary work that centers fluidity and femininity, which incorporates Contemporary, Vogue, Waacking, and Heels dance. This involves work created for the stage and intimate community settings. Altogether Rylee strives to inspire and empower others through her art and pedagogical practices. Follow her @ryleeprodigy to stay updated with her work.