video by matt harsh
PHILOSOPHY
OF EDUCATION
The Urbana Dance Company teaches dance and performance that enriches people’s lives and builds confidence and connection. Our goal is for students to build and strengthen their relationships, gain self-awareness, become empowered community leaders, and develop an appreciation for great artistry and imagination.
The Urbana Dance Company teaches from the perspective that human beings are eager for new information, new insights, new experiences, and new skills. Allowing this inherent attitude to flourish is the key job in the promotion of learning at Urbana Dance Company. The students must feel good about themselves, know they are cared for by the instructor, and feel accepted and secure in the learning environment. Instructors are encouraged to have a relaxed, aware, and eager attitude to help create a dynamic learning environment.
DANCE. CONNECT.
INSTRUCTORS
KATE INSOLIA // Artistic Director // Instructor
Kate Insolia, is the Owner and Artistic Director of the Urbana Dance Company in Urbana, IL, USA. Insolia has been performing, creating, directing, and teaching dance for over three decades. She has extensive experience in working with both adults and children. For the last 15 years, Insolia has taught dance classes, designed curriculums, directed, choreographed for schools and local dance communities, and created her own work in Champaign-Urbana. Insolia is passionate, pragmatic, and systematic in her teaching approach. Centered in her teaching philosophy are students building and strengthening relationships, community, self-awareness, and confidence. Insolia founded the Urbana Dance Company performance group in 2012. Believing that artists can transcend conventional wisdom and create eloquent solutions, the Urbana Dance Company offers new productive and vibrant modes of being and seeks to understand the power of performance as a vital means for political action and social transformation. UDC’s choreography illuminates issues of oppression such as genocide, racism, classism, and sexism with the intent to end these oppressions. In search of humanity, the company uses both drama and humor to create a space where transformation can occur.
Insolia received her B.A. in Dance from Sarah Lawrence College and her M.F.A in Dance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Kristina Bell// Instructor
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DOMONIQUE ARNOLD // Instructor
DoMonique Arnold has been belly dancing since 2004 and began her teaching practice in 2013. She has been trained in American Cabaret style belly dance, and currently maintains her practice by studying Urban Fusion style. Urban Fusion Belly Dance is where traditional Belly Dance styles (Egyptian/Arabic and more) meets Urban Dance styles and combines elements of (Hip/hop, African, and Dancehall/Reggae and more) style dances. She believes that the art of belly dancing is nourishing to practice for all genders and attempts to culturally situate her teachings as much as possible. DoMonique recieved her BA in Latin and her MSLIS from the Graduate School for Library and Information Science. She works full-time as the Librarian at University Laboratory High School where she manages the collection and creates programming, including an annual belly dance class as part of Agora Days.
KIM HUBBARD // Instructor
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JOE and CARLOTTA // Instructor
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JACKIE AND DARIAN// Instructor
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YOEL CORTEZ-PENA// Instructor
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MARY WOLTERS// Instructor
Mary has been practicing yoga since 1997 and teaching since 2001. She has studied with master yoga teachers from around the world. Mary has taken teacher trainings with various well known instructors since 2001 (such as Deb Lister, Daren Friesen, Gary Kraftsow of Vini-Yoga, Seane Corn, Natasha Rizopolous, Scott Blossom, Kino McGregor, and Lino Miele). She has been most inspired by several prana vinyasa flow teacher trainings with master yoga teacher Shiva Rea. Mary completed her Yoga Alliance Certification through Moksha Yoga School in 2007 and continues to take a regular pilgrimage. Committed to the process of learning, she believes that we are all students of what our life has to teach us. Sharing knowledge of yoga’s 5,000 year old tradition gives her great joy. She loves to incorporate the knowledge of the past (asanas, meditation, bandhas, mantra and mudras) with what is relevant in the here and now.
Cinnamon Trammell// Guest Teacher visits every few months from Chicago
Cinnamon Trammell: (Ballroom, Latin, Club, Hip Hop, Stepping), Cinnamon started his dance career at the age of 5 in Manhattan, New York. With roots beginning in tap and ballet, hip-hop and freestyle were added to his dance repertoire. In 1997, Cinnamon was introduced to ballroom and soon became a professional. Cinnamon has taught ballroom for a number of franchised schools and independently. His experience also includes commercials, trade shows, fashion, and a number of rock opera performances. Cinnamon brings a unique, fun, and refreshing approach to his teaching style. Being known as the ‘feeling instructor’ by most of his students, Cinnamon has helped dancers to understand the difference between the different styles of dance. His focus is to help students personalize the dance so they can express the essence and joy of each style of dance.
KIERYN ALEXANDER// Artist in Residence
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Teachers at UDC
wall of fame
Elisandra Rosario
Elise Frost
She/her/hers/they/them/theirs
Teddii Cooper
Jaylen De'Angelo Clay
Andrea Aguiar
Yuri Sohn
Angel Anderson
Luz Garcia
Nia Khan
Julian Martinez
Joseph Kirby
Brando Miranda
CONTACT
Getting Here:
Metered parking is available on the street and is free after 5pm.Bus stop is the parking garage by Lincoln Square Mall.
Our Address:
122 West Main Street
2nd Floor
Urbana, Illinois 61801
Email:
Phone:
773-216-8650
