Urban Movement Dance Academy

Mia's passion for dance was sparked at the age of 3 where she would attend and watch her mother's dance classes at the University of Texas at El Paso. She began her formal dance training at the age of 4 under Ms Andre Harper. Thereafter, she began to train at various studios in El Paso in other genres to include jazz, hip hop and contemporary. She has competed in compettions both locally and nationally and atteneded several summer instensives to include Bolshoi Academy Summer Intensive, Kirov Academy Summer Intensive, and Alonzo King LINES Ballet Advanced Summer intensive. She currently studies ballet under Ms. Elenina Nikolaou and is passionate to share the arts with the community.

Sarah has been training in multiple dance genres for 16 years to include: Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop and Contemporary/Lyrical. In high school she was selected to be part of Eastwood's finest, Saltatrix Dance Team. Here she helped lead and choreograph for both local & regional competitions. Upon graduating from high school she moved to LA to pursue dance professionally. She has trained under Kreativ Mindz Dance Academy, Troupe Dance Academy, Cameron Lee Mentorship and Kiira Harper.

She has been teaching dance in contemporary, ballet, and jazz in multiple dance studios since 2009. She has also been teaching dance in public education since 2011. She has choreographed and produced dance productions for many local dance companies, studios and local businesses.

She has been teaching dance in contemporary, ballet, and jazz in multiple dance studios since 2009. She has also been teaching dance in public education since 2011. She has choreographed and produced dance productions for many local dance companies, studios and local businesses.

Michelle specializes in teaching choreography, partnering, improvisation, release technique and adaptive dance for children with challenges. Her choreography has received awards at various local, regional and national levels to include top place awards at YAGP and National Society of Arts and Letters.

The Urban Movement Dance Company is under the direction of Michelle Urban. It is a pre-professional contemporary program designed for advanced dancers pursuing high-level performance, artistry, and continued education in dance.

Private lessons at UMDA offer personalized, one-on-one training tailored to each dancer’s individual goals—whether it’s refining technique, preparing for auditions, or developing choreography.

Our drop-in classes offer dancers a chance to train, explore, and stay inspired—one class at a time. These choreography-based sessions are offered in various styles and led by both UMDA faculty and special guest instructors from out of town.

For our older crew members, this Groove Lab dives deeper into foundational hip hop styles and choreography while keeping the fun and energy high. Dancers will explore musicality, beginner freestyle, and team-based movement that builds confidence and focus.

This high-energy class introduces young dancers to the fun and fundamentals of hip hop! Through age-appropriate grooves, rhythm games, and beginner choreography, dancers will build coordination, confidence, and musicality—all while having a blast.

This class blends the strength and control of gymnastics with the flow and creativity of dance. Dancers will work on flexibility, balance, coordination, and safe technique as they learn foundational acro skills like rolls, bridges, handstands, and cartwheels.

This beginner-friendly hip hop class is designed for teens and adults who are new to dance or looking to build confidence in movement. Dancers will learn the foundations of hip hop—including grooves, isolations, footwork, and beginner-level choreography—in a fun, supportive, and judgment-free environment.

This class focuses on the principles of release-based movement and the art of grounded, fluid transitions through floor work. Dancers will learn how to use breath, weight, and momentum to move efficiently and expressively, reducing unnecessary tension while increasing control and flow.

This class invites dancers to tap into their creativity, intuition, and individuality through guided improvisation and movement discovery. Dancers will explore how their bodies move naturally, how to respond to music and emotion in the moment, and how to create unique movement that reflects their voice as an artist.

Contemporary II deepens the dancer’s understanding of dynamics, emotional expression, and musicality. With a greater emphasis on control, transitions, and intentional movement, dancers explore more complex choreography and improvisation.

Contemporary I introduces dancers to the expressive and athletic style of contemporary dance. This class blends elements of ballet, jazz, and modern technique while encouraging creative exploration through movement.

Jazz II takes foundational skills to the next level with increased focus on control, complexity, and performance. Dancers refine classical jazz technique while learning to fuse it with current, stylized choreography influenced by commercial and concert dance.

Jazz I introduces dancers to the fundamentals of classical jazz technique, including isolations, coordination, rhythm, and musicality. Dancers will explore classic jazz lines, basic turns, and expressive movement while learning how to carry those techniques into more modern and stylized forms.

This class is designed to help dancers build the strength, endurance, and control they need to excel in all styles of movement. Through targeted exercises that focus on core stability, joint alignment, flexibility, and injury prevention, dancers will enhance their technical ability and overall physical performance.

Ballet 2 builds on the fundamentals of Ballet 1 with greater focus on control, balance, and execution of more complex movements. Dancers refine their technique while improving strength, stamina, and body placement.

Ballet 1 is the perfect starting point for dancers ready to build a strong foundation in classical technique. This class focuses on developing proper alignment, strength, and flexibility while introducing the muscle memory and terminology essential to ballet.

Held on the first Friday of every month, this special class series is designed to support dancers both physically and mentally. Each session will explore a different topic related to injury prevention, strength building, recovery, mindset, and overall dancer wellness.