Urbanity Dance
Nonprofit dance school serving 500+ students yearly across three South End st…
Urbanity Dance is a nonprofit arts organization founded in 2011 by Director Betsi Graves.
Before your first class
Classes welcome all experience levels across every age group, from toddlers to seniors, with no prior experience necessary.
Private lessons: $125/hour (1-student), $148/hour (2-student), $155/hour (3-student), plus $30 registration fee per order.
About this studio
Urbanity Dance is a nonprofit arts organization founded in 2011 by Director Betsi Graves. It operates across three interconnected pillars: School, Company, and Community. The School serves over 500 students of all ages and experience levels each year, taught by faculty drawn from diverse cultural and dance backgrounds. Classes span ages 0–5, 6–11, 12–18, adults, and seniors, with instruction grounded in a philosophy that teaches to the whole dancer—supporting emotional, social, and physical wellbeing alongside technique.
The organisation operates three South End studios: UD Headquarters at 1180 Washington Street, Balance at Urbanity Dance at 111 West Concord Street, and Urbanity Central at 725 Harrison Ave. Hours run Monday–Thursday 4–9pm, Friday closed, and Saturday 9am–2pm for classes. The studio offers private and semi-private lessons (1-student $125/hour, 2-student $148/hour, 3-student $155/hour, plus $30 registration fee) in many dance styles for all ages and abilities. Lessons can be scheduled weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly for one hour or more.
The Community pillar includes Movement Meets, a free programme of customized dance classes for people facing life-altering diagnoses including breast cancer, stroke, psychosis, addiction, and homelessness. Specialised tracks include Dance with Parkinson's and Age Thrive, developed in partnership with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, McLean Psychiatric Hospital, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, and Pine Street Inn. The Anmol Mehra Access for All Fund covers up to 100% of tuition so cost is never a barrier to participation.
The Company side books dancers for paid professional performance opportunities, runs the Urbanity X residency programme for emerging work, supports the Urbanity 2 initiative for Boston-based artists, and develops the next generation through the Junior Apprentice programme. The Company has been recognized as one of Boston's Best by Improper Bostonian, won Best of Boston by Boston Magazine, earned a Top Ten Critics' Pick from The Boston Globe, and presented work at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, The Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater, and the Institute of Contemporary Art.
The Teen Leadership Program trains Boston high schoolers ages 14–19 in three tracks: Teaching Assistant (assisting faculty in studio classes, with specialisations in Early Childhood Dance Education, Senior Dance, or Dance with Parkinson's), Choreography (Foundation Trust Teen Artist Fellowship offering paid eight-month training, up to two hours weekly mentorship from professional artists, and free studio access), and Arts Administration (internships in Marketing, Development, Operations, Education, or Nonprofit Management). The studio also offers studio rentals and birthday parties.
What to expect
Your first visit
You will find a welcoming, structured environment across three South End locations with faculty from diverse cultural backgrounds. Classes are organised by age group from toddlers to seniors, with all levels welcome. The studio philosophy emphasizes growth, discipline, joy, and self-expression, and explicitly states that every body belongs.
Instructors
Who teaches here
Faculty are drawn from diverse cultural and dance backgrounds and support students through a structured, nurturing classroom environment. Leadership includes Director and Founder Betsi Graves, School Director Haley Day, and School Administrative Lead Hannah San Clemente.
New to dancing?
What beginners can expect
Classes welcome all experience levels across every age group, from toddlers to seniors, with no prior experience necessary.
Studio history
Urbanity Dance was founded in 2011 by Director Betsi Graves with the goal of making dance a force for real change in Boston: as a tool for healing, a pathway to professional opportunity, and a space where every body is welcome.
Styles offered
4 dance styles taught here
Gallery
The people, the parties and the dancing here
Pricing
Approximate lesson costs
Class schedule
Weekly classes and workshops
Urbanity Dancehasn't set up a public class schedule yet.
If you own Urbanity Dance, 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 Urbanity Dance
Quick answers to the most common questions
What dance styles does Urbanity Dance teach?
Urbanity Dance teaches General, Contemporary, Modern jazz, Breakdance. The full list of styles is shown above on this page along with each genre's classes and lesson options.
Where is Urbanity Dance located?
Urbanity Dance is located in Boston, MA. See the map above for the exact address and one-tap directions.
Does Urbanity Dance offer private lessons?
Contact Urbanity Dance directly to ask about private lessons and current class options — their website has the latest details.
Does Urbanity Dance teach kids and adults?
Urbanity Dance 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 Urbanity Dance?
The fastest path is to visit Urbanity Dance via their website or check the class schedule above. Many studios offer a free or discounted intro lesson — contact them directly to ask.