Urban Movement Arts
Black vernacular dance, house, hip-hop, contemporary and martial arts in Phil…
Urban Movement Arts runs two locations in Philadelphia: the headquarters at 2100 Chestnut St (2nd floor, enter on 21st) and a second studio at 812 Chestnut St housed within Range of Motion, a venue featuring dance, martial arts and adult acrobatics under one roof.
Before your first class
UMA Dip programs provide personalized, slower-paced entry for absolute beginners, with one-on-one consultations available alongside group classes.
Intro month $40 (2100 Chestnut) or $25 (812 Chestnut) for unlimited classes.
About this studio
Urban Movement Arts runs two locations in Philadelphia: the headquarters at 2100 Chestnut St (2nd floor, enter on 21st) and a second studio at 812 Chestnut St housed within Range of Motion, a venue featuring dance, martial arts and adult acrobatics under one roof.
UMA's class lineup centres on contemporary Black American folkloric dance, African folkloric dance, Latin American dance and contemporary somatic and movement culture practices. The studio explicitly teaches styles including Hip Hop, House, Locking, Voguing, Waacking, Breakdance and Hustle. Hustle, a partner dance originating in the Latino community of The Bronx in the early 1970s with roots in Mambo and Salsa, is taught by Daniel, a two-time World Hustle Champion with over 25 years of experience. House Dance classes break down jacking mechanics and fast footwork, drawing from the language developed by pioneering Black and Latino dancers in NYC in the late 80s to mid 2000s. UMA also offers skate dance classes with Great on Skates (Sundays at 812, skates required) and adult parkour with Liam McKay (Wednesdays at 7pm at 812).
For absolute beginners, UMA Dip programs provide personalized, slower-paced entry points. The UMA Dip: Standard offers one-on-one consultations and group classes. The UMA Dip: House Dance teaches coordination to house music tempo, bounce and groove. The UMA Dip: Femme explores feminine movement drawing from Heels, Vogue and Waacking Posing, with functional technique work in heels (no heels used during the series). The Wise & Groovy Series serves dancers 50 and up, offering street dance classes set to funk, house and hip-hop music on Mondays at 6pm and Thursdays at 12pm at 812, plus Mobility/Strength/Flexibility conditioning on Thursdays at 11am.
Martial arts training is available at 812 Chestnut through Range of Motion Philly. Classes include ROM Martial Arts Mobility & Drilling, ROM Grappling (teaching clinches, takedowns, groundwork, judo concepts and balance work), and ROM Kenpo Karate/Kickboxing. Family Martial Arts classes run Saturdays 10:45–11:30am. The martial arts programme values modesty, humility, respect and friendship, with a focus on cooperation rather than pure competition.
UMA runs youth programming through MoveMakers Philly and community workshops. Special performance opportunities include FLOW STATE: Fringe (featuring physically daring, artistically adventurous works fusing street, contemporary theatre and folkloric dance, with choreography by Chloe Marie, Dylan Smythe, Kayliani Sood and Jonathan Van Arneman) and WORKINONIT: Fringe (student performers working with UMA choreographers including Marcus Tucker, Emerald Sims, Lady Perez, Sjaedah 'Jae' London and Dru 'Riot'). Hip Hop Battles are held regularly—the next runs June 28th, 5–9pm at First Unitarian Church. UMA also hosts studio rentals at both locations.
What to expect
Your first visit
Classes welcome all ages, body types, experience levels, races, genders, sexual orientations and nationalities. Registration for in-person classes opens 2 weeks before the class. New students can try unlimited classes for their first month at $40 (2100 Chestnut) or $25 (812 Chestnut).
Instructors
Who teaches here
Daniel teaches Hustle as a two-time World Hustle Champion with over 25 years of experience. Liam McKay teaches adult parkour. FLOW STATE: Fringe choreographers include Chloe Marie, Dylan Smythe, Kayliani Sood and Jonathan Van Arneman. WORKINONIT: Fringe choreographers include Marcus Tucker, Emerald Sims, Lady Perez, Sjaedah 'Jae' London and Dru 'Riot'.
New to dancing?
What beginners can expect
UMA Dip programs provide personalized, slower-paced entry for absolute beginners, with one-on-one consultations available alongside group classes.
Studio history
Urban Movement Arts has been operating for ten years as a vital space for movement, culture and community in Philadelphia, providing high-quality dance training and performance opportunities for adults and young people.
Styles offered
18 dance styles taught here
Gallery
The people, the parties and the dancing here
Amenities
Pricing
Approximate lesson costs
Class schedule
Weekly classes and workshops
Urban Movement Artshasn't set up a public class schedule yet.
If you own Urban Movement Arts, claiming the studio lets you add a public schedule in about 2 minutes. A free Google Calendar is the easiest path — visitors see your class times inline + can add events to their own calendar.
Frequently asked about Urban Movement Arts
Quick answers to the most common questions
What dance styles does Urban Movement Arts teach?
Urban Movement Arts teaches General, Hip-Hop, House Dance, Locking, Voguing, Waacking and 12 more. The full list of styles is shown above on this page along with each genre's classes and lesson options.
Where is Urban Movement Arts located?
Urban Movement Arts is located in Philadelphia, PA. See the map above for the exact address and one-tap directions.
Does Urban Movement Arts offer private lessons?
Contact Urban Movement Arts directly to ask about private lessons and current class options — their website has the latest details.
Does Urban Movement Arts teach kids and adults?
Urban Movement Arts welcomes students of varied ages and experience levels. Contact the studio to learn which classes fit your age group and level.
How do I sign up for classes at Urban Movement Arts?
The fastest path is to visit Urban Movement Arts via their website or check the class schedule above. Many studios offer a free or discounted intro lesson — contact them directly to ask.