Surge Dance Company

Surge Dance Company opened in 2022, born from a conversation between co-owners Eve Rokhvadze and Jenna Bradshaw, who met as members of the University at Buffalo's Impulse Dance Force. What began as a daydream between friends became a fully formed studio within a month. Eve and Jenna built Surge on the belief that dance education should be holistic—helping students grow as people, athletes, and artists together.

The studio offers a wide range of adult classes (18+) across multiple styles: ballet, tap, hip-hop, heels, contemporary, jazz, modern, lyrical, floorwork, musical theater, creative movement, jazz-funk, reggaeton, and Afro'Fusion. You can commit to a 6-week session (building skills week to week) or drop into single classes whenever it suits you. The studio also runs Surge Sweat Series, weekly dance fitness classes on Saturdays at 10am, and offers specialty classes like Zumba, Burn to the Beat, Surge Sculpt, and Strength and Conditioning.

Classes are structured by level: Beginner (new to dance or returning to basics), Intermediate (moderate experience, looking for a challenge), and Advanced (experienced dancers developing their artistry). All classes welcome you to take them barefoot or in clean sneakers. The environment is deliberately inclusive—Surge states that all dancers are welcome regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, or orientation, and emphasises self-acceptance and expression above all else.

The teaching staff brings genuine depth. Eve has nearly 20 years of dance experience across Modern, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Heels, and Street Jazz, and is currently studying Afro'Dance under Angel Kaba. Jenna has danced competitively since age 4, trained in ballet and pointe, and has taught at all age levels for both recreational and competitive programs. The wider team includes Erica Ruiz Erisola (Zumba), Jill Dowdle (Hip Hop and Contemporary, Marketing Coordinator), Caitlyn Waalewyn, Tabitha Shevlin (multiple dance styles, stage manager, choreographer, and SAFD-certified), Madeline Dembowski (MFA candidate in Dance at UB, with performance credits at Nazareth University and Rochester Fringe Festival), Maddie Rominger (tap specialist), Leah McNerney (Hip Hop and choreography, dance captain for Historic Lockport Palace Theatre's White Christmas production in 2023), and Saana Alsadoun.

Beyond group classes, Surge offers private lessons (individual at $45/hour, group at $225/hour for 6+ dancers) available in any style offered plus technique, stretch, and strength work. The studio space is also available for rentals and birthday parties. A gift card option is available for those wanting to give the gift of dance.

Drop-in classes are one hour long and cost $20 each, with no commitment required—pick styles and times that work for you. First-time visitors can fill out a New Dancer Form. You'll be in a clean, well-kept studio with instructors who emphasise a welcoming and supportive environment for all experience levels.

Co-owners Eve Rokhvadze and Jenna Bradshaw lead the studio alongside eight instructors with varied specialisms: Erica Ruiz Erisola (Zumba), Jill Dowdle (Hip Hop, Contemporary), Caitlyn Waalewyn, Tabitha Shevlin (multiple styles, SAFD-certified, choreographer), Madeline Dembowski (MFA Dance candidate, worked with Yoshito Sakuraba and Andrea Miller), Maddie Rominger (tap), Leah McNerney (Hip Hop, choreography, DanceLife Teacher Conference attendee), and Saana Alsadoun.

Beginner classes cater to those new to dance or returning to basics; the studio emphasises a welcoming, supportive environment for all experience levels.