Underground Dance Company

For anyone in Michigan seeking an exceptional and inclusive dance experience, Underground Dance Company (UDC) in Shelby Township stands as a beacon of artistic excellence and community spirit. Established in 2011, UDC has swiftly become renowned for its commitment to combining diverse street styles with traditional technical styles, creating a unique and well-rounded dance education. This isn't just a place to learn choreography; it's a vibrant hub where passion for movement is ignited, creativity is celebrated, and a strong sense of belonging flourishes among dancers of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. As one delighted parent shared, "The best dance studio in town! Incredible owners who truly care about their dancers and families! From the moment you step into this stunning studio, you feel at ease knowing your child is dancing in not only a beautiful space, but also such a well taken care of, clean and safe environment." This emphasis on a safe, nurturing, and beautiful space underscores UDC's dedication to its students' well-being and growth.

Underground Dance Company prides itself on its philosophy of uniting all styles of dance and, crucially, accepting all types of people "regardless of age, color, gender, and size." This commitment to inclusivity is deeply embedded in their ethos, ensuring that every individual feels respected and empowered to express themselves through movement. A long-term customer, whose daughter graduated after years on the competitive team, powerfully stated, "We have appreciated the work ethic they have instilled in her as a person and in the other dancers. Underground has earned many awards due to their high expectations, creativity and drive. They include the families and offer choices for students who want to dance recreationally. This is a wonderful studio with excellent teachers." Whether you're a young child taking your very first dance steps, a teenager aspiring to competitive excellence, or an adult looking for a fun and engaging way to stay active, Underground Dance Company offers a welcoming and inspiring environment right here in Macomb County, Michigan, where you can grow, learn, and truly become part of a dance family.

Underground Dance Company is ideally situated at 51735 Schoenherr Rd, Shelby Township, MI 48315, USA, offering convenient accessibility for families and individuals throughout Shelby Township and the wider Macomb County area. Its location on Schoenherr Road, a well-known thoroughfare, makes the studio easy to find and navigate to, reducing travel stress for busy schedules. This prime position ensures that residents from various nearby communities can reach the studio with ease, making regular attendance practical and enjoyable. Ample parking is typically available on-site, providing a hassle-free experience for drop-offs and pickups. The studio's integration within the Shelby Township community also means it's often close to other local amenities, allowing for convenient errands or activities before or after dance sessions. This strategic and accessible location is a significant advantage for Michigan locals, ensuring that high-quality dance education and a vibrant artistic community are readily available without a cumbersome commute. The ease of access helps foster greater participation in the arts, making dance an attainable and enjoyable pursuit for many.

• Comprehensive Dance Instruction: Underground Dance Company provides a wide and varied curriculum, designed to cater to dancers of all ages, skill levels, and interests. They emphasize combining street styles with technical styles for a well-rounded education.
• Ballet Classes: Known as the foundation of all dance, ballet classes focus on classical technique, fluid movements, precise turnout, and developing grace, strength, and discipline, often following the Cecchetti method.
• Jazz Dance: Energetic classes that develop strength, flexibility, and body control through center warm-ups and across-the-floor exercises, incorporating isolations, extensions, leaps, and turns into fast-paced combinations.
• Tap Dance: Classes that teach rhythmic precision and musicality through intricate footwork, using specialized shoes with metal plates to create percussive sounds.
• Hip Hop Dance: High-energy classes that explore various urban dance styles, including elements of breakdancing and tutting, emphasizing rhythm, coordination, and individual expression, often set to contemporary music.
• Lyrical Dance: A fusion of ballet and jazz, lyrical dance focuses on expressing emotions through fluid movement, interpreting song lyrics, and telling stories through dance.
• Contemporary Dance: Incorporates techniques from ballet, jazz, and lyrical, encouraging freedom of expression, improvisation, and innovation to create unique storytelling through movement.
• Musical Theatre Dance: Classes that blend jazz and ballet technique with acting and stage presence, focusing on the dance styles typically seen in Broadway musicals and plays, allowing for personality to shine.
• Acro & Tumbling: Classes that combine dance technique with acrobatic elements, focusing on flexibility, balance, strength, and tumbling skills, with conditioning exercises to prepare dancers for increased difficulty.
• Pointe Classes: Advanced ballet training for experienced ballet dancers, by teacher invitation only, requiring strong technique and an additional ballet class to safely dance on pointe.
• Technique Classes: Designed to improve a dancer's range of motion, enhance muscle flexibility, build core strength, and strengthen specific movements like turns, leaps, and kicks.
• Intro & Combo Classes: Beginner to intermediate level classes that often combine two styles of dance, ideal for dancers with less experience or limited availability to gain fundamental knowledge and improve coordination.
• Zumba: A Latin-inspired dance workout class focused on fun, engaging all muscles through easy-to-follow dances and Latin beats.
• Youth Programs: Tailored classes for various age groups, starting from ages 2 and up, ensuring age-appropriate instruction and development.
• Recreational Programs: Opportunities for students who wish to dance purely for enjoyment and recreation, without the commitment of competitive teams.
• Competitive Company: For dedicated students seeking advanced training and performance opportunities, the studio offers competitive teams that participate in various dance competitions, known for high expectations, creativity, and drive.
• Private Lessons: Personalized one-on-one instruction to focus on individual goals, accelerate progress, or refine specific skills.
• Studio Rental: The studio space is available for rent at affordable rates for practice or hosting events.

• Exceptional Ownership and Management: Underground Dance Company is consistently praised for its "incredible owners who truly care about their dancers and families." Ms. Pam (owner) and Miss Shannon (director) are described as "constantly working hard making sure the studio is a fun and productive place for all ages and abilities." This dedicated leadership sets a positive tone for the entire studio, fostering a supportive and nurturing atmosphere.
• Highly Qualified and Dedicated Instructors: Customer reviews frequently highlight the "top notch" and "excellent teachers." Instructors like Miss Sam are noted for being "friendly," having a "smile on her face," being "amazing at her skill, so kind and patient," ensuring that students not only learn but also love their dance experience and "never want to miss dance nights!" This commitment to quality instruction is paired with enthusiasm, encouragement, and creativity.
• Inclusive and Family-Friendly Environment: A core value of UDC is its welcoming nature, accepting "all styles of people regardless of age, color, gender, and size." The studio is designed to be "family friendly," ensuring that everyone feels at ease and supported. This creates a strong sense of community, where friendships flourish, as evidenced by positive testimonials about feeling "at ease" and "safe" within the studio.
• State-of-the-Art and Safe Facilities: Moved into a "new state of the art facility in Shelby Township, MI in May 2019," UDC offers a "stunning studio" that is "well taken care of, clean and safe." It features four dance rooms, each equipped with professional Marley sprung floors. These specialized floors are crucial for dancer safety, absorbing shock and reducing impact on joints, thereby preventing injuries. The facility also includes mounted and freestanding ballet barres, a costume room, and dancer cubbies, enhancing the overall experience.
• Strong Emphasis on Technique and Fundamentals: While fostering creativity and enjoyment, UDC stresses the "fundamentals heavily." Students learn "actual technique," ensuring a strong foundation that leads to visible improvements in their dance skills and athleticism. This focus on solid technique contributes to the "high expectations, creativity and drive" that have earned the studio "many awards."
• Diverse Programs for All Levels: UDC offers a "well-rounded, multi-faceted schedule" with three distinct programs: recreational, "Dancing Without Limits" (DWL) for all ages, and competitive company. This allows each student to find a commitment level that is right for them, whether they dance "purely for the joy and recreation" or are interested in the competitive world.
• Cultivating Work Ethic and Life Skills: Beyond dance steps, the studio is praised for instilling a strong "work ethic" in its dancers. This focus on discipline and dedication extends beyond the studio, helping to shape well-rounded individuals.

Address: 51735 Schoenherr Rd, Shelby Township, MI 48315, USA

Phone: (586) 416-4700

Mobile Phone: +1 586-416-4700

For families and individuals living in Michigan, particularly within Shelby Township and the wider Macomb County area, Underground Dance Company stands out as an exceptionally suitable and enriching local resource for dance education. Its appeal to the community is multifaceted, combining a convenient location with high-quality instruction and a truly inclusive atmosphere. The studio's address on Schoenherr Road in Shelby Township ensures easy accessibility, making it a practical choice for busy families. This local presence means less time spent commuting and more time dedicated to the joy of dance, fostering consistent participation and engagement within the community.

What truly sets UDC apart for locals is its deeply ingrained commitment to creating a welcoming and family-friendly environment. As numerous customer reviews attest, from the moment you step into the "stunning studio," you feel "at ease knowing your child is dancing in not only a beautiful space, but also such a well taken care of, clean and safe environment." This focus on safety and comfort, combined with owners and instructors who "truly care about their dancers and families," builds a powerful sense of community. The studio's philosophy of accepting "all styles of people regardless of age, color, gender, and size" ensures that every local resident feels welcome to explore dance, regardless of their background or previous experience.

Furthermore, the comprehensive range of dance styles offered, from foundational ballet and jazz to dynamic hip hop, contemporary, and even acrobatics, means that every aspiring dancer, from a curious toddler to a seasoned teen, can find a program that fits their interests and goals. The emphasis on teaching "actual technique" and stressing "fundamentals heavily" ensures that students receive a high-quality dance education that builds strong skills and a solid foundation. This commitment to excellence, combined with the "no drama" environment praised by parents, makes Underground Dance Company an ideal choice for fostering both artistic growth and positive personal development. By choosing Underground Dance Company, locals are not just enrolling in a dance class; they are becoming part of a supportive, award-winning, and inclusive community that nurtures a lifelong passion for dance right here in their own Michigan backyard.

Underground Dance Company

51735 Schoenherr Rd, Shelby Township, MI 48315, USA