Ormao Dance Co

Welcome to Ormao Dance Co, a vibrant and essential pillar of the performing arts scene right here in Colorado Springs! If you're a local seeking to explore the expressive world of dance, whether you're taking your very first steps or looking to refine advanced techniques, Ormao Dance Co offers an innovative, inclusive, and non-competitive home for movers of all ages and abilities. This isn't just a studio; it's a dynamic community space where dance is used as a powerful language to provoke, challenge, entertain, and build connections.

Ormao Dance Co stands as Colorado Springs' resident professional modern dance company since 1990, boasting a rich history of artistic excellence and community engagement. Their mission is truly threefold: to provoke, challenge, and entertain through the creative language of dance; to encourage diversity and experimentation in the arts; and to enrich cultural opportunities within southern Colorado's communities and schools through impactful initiatives. This dedication means that Ormao is committed to making dance accessible to everyone, fostering an environment of teamwork, body positivity, and creative thinking, rather than competition. From their professional company's captivating performances to their extensive array of classes and groundbreaking community outreach programs, Ormao Dance Co embodies the belief that dance is for every body and a vital part of a thriving city.

Ormao Dance Co is conveniently located at 10 S Spruce St, Colorado Springs, CO 80905, USA. This central Colorado Springs address makes the studio highly accessible for residents across the city and surrounding areas. Situated in the renovated former Coca-Cola production facility, the studio is part of a revitalized area that is easy to navigate. Its location on South Spruce Street, near Pikes Peak Avenue, provides straightforward access whether you're coming from downtown, the west side, or other parts of Colorado Springs. The studio's commitment to finding a location with "good parking" and being in a "safe neighborhood" further enhances its accessibility for local users. While specific public transportation routes are always best verified with local transit authorities, its central placement typically allows for convenient navigation by personal vehicle, ensuring a smooth arrival for classes and performances.

• Adult Dance Classes: Continuous enrollment for adults (ages 19+), offering a variety of dance styles inclusive to all levels and bodies. No obligation to attend weekly; pay only for classes attended or use a dance card that never expires. Styles include:
  • Adult Beginning/Intermediate Hip Hop
  • Adult Intermediate/Advanced Ballet
  • Adult Intermediate/Advanced Contemporary
  • Adult Intermediate/Advanced Modern
  • Adult Intermediate Tappin' Thru Time
  • Adult/Teen Beginning Tap
  • Adult/Teen Intro to Ballet
  • Adult/Teen Beginning Jazz
• Youth Dance Classes: Summer camps and classes available for ages 3-18, often drop-in based, where students only pay for classes they attend. Non-competitive and inclusive opportunities focused on teamwork, body positivity, and creative thinking. Examples include:
  • Talls and Toddlers (Creative movement for toddlers and accompanying adults)
  • Dance Exploration Saplings (Structured introduction to various styles for ages 5-6: Jazz, Ballet, Modern)
  • Ballet (Levels 2 and 4, ages 12+, 14+ for intermediate to advanced technique)
  • Modern/Contemporary (Level 4, ages 14+, exploring codified techniques and improvisation)
• Ormao Student Company Program: An audition-based pre-professional program for serious dancers aged 9-18 (Ormao Youth, Junior, and Senior Companies). Challenges dancers technically and artistically, offering opportunities to work with professional choreographers and perform.
• Professional Dance Company Performances: The resident professional modern dance company performs regularly throughout the year, often in collaboration with other artists and in unique venues beyond traditional theaters.
• Community Outreach Programs: Initiatives designed to bring dance to the public and educate people of all ages, including:
  • "Dance for Parkinson's" classes
  • "Hands are for Holding" (interactive school assembly program exploring bullying through dance)
  • Educational Residencies in schools, creatively combining curriculum concepts (like math) with dance.
  • "Hillside Dancing Your Stories Elders classes"
• Scholarship Programs: The Ormao Hill Scholarship Fund supports dedicated dancers pursuing higher education in dance.
• Studio Rental: The two large studio spaces are potentially available for rentals by other artists or organizations.

• Inclusive and Non-Competitive Environment: A core philosophy is to provide a welcoming space for all bodies and levels, fostering teamwork and body positivity rather than intense competition. This makes it a comfortable entry point for beginners and a supportive space for advanced dancers.
• Diverse Class Offerings: Ormao provides a wide array of dance styles for both youth and adults, including modern, contemporary, ballet, jazz, hip hop, and tap, ensuring a rich and varied dance education.
• Experienced and Kind Staff/Teachers: Reviews consistently praise the instructors and staff as "absolutely wonderful," "super helpful and kind," and having "the best intentions for everyone." They make students feel "totally at ease."
• Professional Dance Company: Being home to a resident professional modern dance company (since 1990) means students have the opportunity to train in a high-caliber environment and witness professional performances.
• Community Impact and Outreach: Ormao's commitment to community goes beyond classes, with impactful programs like "Dance for Parkinson's" and "Mathtastic" in schools, demonstrating a deep dedication to enriching the broader Colorado Springs area.
• LGBT+ Friendly: Explicitly mentioned in reviews as being "very LGBT+ friendly," highlighting a welcoming and accepting atmosphere for all individuals.
• Flexible Enrollment for Adults: The continuous enrollment and "pay only for classes you attend" or non-expiring dance card options provide great flexibility for busy adult schedules.
• Audition-Based Pre-Professional Program: For serious youth dancers, the Student Company program offers rigorous artistic and technical training modeled after the professional company.
• Adaptability and Innovation: The company showed innovation during challenging times, such as hosting outdoor concerts during COVID-19 to ensure safety regulations were followed, demonstrating their commitment to continuing to bring dance to the community.

Address: 10 S Spruce St, Colorado Springs, CO 80905, USA

Phone: (719) 471-9759

For Colorado Springs residents, Ormao Dance Co stands as an invaluable local treasure, offering far more than just dance classes. Its profound suitability for locals lies in its unwavering commitment to inclusivity and community building. Whether you're a parent seeking a supportive, non-competitive environment for your child's first dance steps, an adult looking to explore a new artistic outlet, or a seasoned dancer aiming for professional development, Ormao provides a place to belong.

The highly praised staff and instructors create an atmosphere of ease and encouragement, making it accessible for everyone, even those with no prior dance experience. The diverse range of classes, from ballet and jazz to modern and hip hop, ensures that there's something to ignite passion in every age group and skill level. Furthermore, Ormao's deep roots in community outreach, including programs like "Dance for Parkinson's" and educational residencies, highlight its dedication to enriching the lives of all Colorado Springs residents, not just those who step into the studio. Its long-standing reputation as a professional modern dance company, combined with its welcoming and LGBT+ friendly ethos, makes Ormao Dance Co an exceptional local hub for artistic expression, physical well-being, and genuine community connection right here in Colorado Springs.

Ormao Dance Co

10 S Spruce St, Colorado Springs, CO 80905, USA