WELCOME TO

URBANITE WORKSHOPS

At Urbanite, our mission is to build and enrich the dance community we proudly belong to — and our workshop series is one of the places where that mission comes alive.

Offered during our Showcase weekends and as standalone events, Urbanite Workshops give dancers a rare chance to learn, grow, and connect. Each class is crafted to create an inspiring and supportive environment that encourages creativity, technique, confidence, and community.

INSTRUCTOR UPDATE!

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A FEW SLOTS LEFT!

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INSTRUCTOR UPDATE! / A FEW SLOTS LEFT! /

Urbanite c-u 2025 workshops

AJ x CL

[Instructor update below!]

REGISTER HERE!

Feat. AJ JUÁREZ x CHRIS LUCKY!

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5TH, 2025

LOCATION: ARC @ UIUC – MP6

Two Classes, One Price!

URBANITE PERFORMER $35 / GENERAL PUBLIC $45

UPDATE: Due to an extended tour commitment, AJ In The Making is sadly no longer able to join us this year. We’re excited to welcome Chris Lucky as his replacement – fresh off tour and flying in from Atlanta to join us for Urbanite weekend…with a special industry-style opportunity!

All current registrations remain valid, and the workshop structure stays exactly the same: two classes, one bundled price, one full experience.

To keep the Urbanite spirit of community alive, both workshops are bundled into one low price — no single-class rates. We encourage you to join us for the full experience and support both instructors, each bringing their own unique style and perspective. If you can only attend one session, that’s completely fine too!

Space is LIMITED. Reserve your slot now!

REGISTER HERE!

FEATURING

AJ JUÁREZ

FRI DEC 5 @ 6:30PM

AJ Juarez is a powerhouse choreographer, director, and educator best known as the founder and director of Barrio Dance Factory in Madison, Wisconsin. His teaching blends musicality, emotional intention, and clean execution, creating an environment that pushes dancers to be both expressive and precise. AJ’s choreography has become a staple in the Midwest dance community, known for its storytelling, dynamic textures, and grounded movement quality.

AJJ will be teaching hip hop choreo with a focus on footwork, foundations, and grooves, while always incorporating some Latin flavor. He loves to share the importance of a supportive community through his classes.
AJ Juarez Instagram

CHRIS LUCKY

FRI DEC 5 @ 8PM

[New Instructor Announcement!]

Chris Lucky is a dynamic choreographer and industry performer known for his powerful musicality, clean textures, and commanding stage presence. With experience spanning national tours, high-profile live performances, and major industry events, Chris brings a professional edge rooted in groove, intention, and foundation.

His teaching blends movement quality with performance readiness — giving dancers tools they can apply immediately both in class and on stage.

Special Opportunity: Chris will be selecting a few dancers from his class to perform with him live at Urbanite: Champaign-Urbana the following night — an incredible industry-style experience offered exclusively through this workshop.

Chris Lucky Instagram

WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS

RECAP: URBANITE CHI WORKSHOPS

MARLEE HIGHTOWER + SEAN LEW

In April, Urbanite brought two of the most inspiring creatives in the industry — Marlee Hightower and Sean Lew — to Chicago for a powerhouse workshop experience. Dancers filled McGrath-Phillips Arena at DePaul University for an evening of movement, community, and artistry that reflected everything Urbanite stands for.

Scroll down to watch the full class videos and relive the magic — or see what you missed.

Special thanks to DePaul University and DePaul Athletics for partnering with us and helping us bring this experience to life.

Marlee Hightower @ Urbanite Chicago 2025 Workshops

Sean Lew @ Urbanite Chicago 2025 Workshops

Peep some picture highlights! Click button below for full gallery.

Check out the full gallery of pics from Chicago Workshops.

FULL CHI WORKSHOP GALLERY

Urbanite Champaign-Urbana is coming December 5th-6th. Grab your tix now!

URBANITE C-U INFO + TICKETS

RECAP: URBANITE C-U 2024 WORKSHOPS

ANNIE FRANKLIN, HARINI NILAKANTAN, MONYETT CRUMP JR

Champaign-Urbana Workshops were special! They took place on Friday, April 6th, 2024 @ ARC (Activities and Recreation Center) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with support from UIUC Student Affairs. We had three amazing instructors: Annie Franklin, Harini Nilakantan, and Monyett Crump Jr. Check the class videos below!

Class 1 - Annie Franklin - Urbanite Workshops: C-U

Class 2 - Harini Nilakantan - Urbanite Workshops: C-U

Class 3 - Monyett Crump Jr - Urbanite Workshops: C-U

🎥 @danylostupinskyy

RECAP: URBANITE CHICAGO 2024 WORKSHOPS

BOBBI PONDER

Apr 5 2024 / Visceral Dance Center / Chicago, IL

Urbanite welcomed The Council + Chicago native Bobbi Ponder as a featured instructors at Workshops this year! Check out the full group runs for Bobbi’s class in the video below. Check out the highlights to Bobbi’s class on the IG post here! (The Council highlights coming soon!)

CLASS 1 FULL Groups | Choreography: BOBBI PONDER | Song: "No.1" Tyla (all rights reserved)

RECAP: URBANITE CHICAGO 2023 WORKSHOPS

NATALIE “NAT BAT” BEBKO

Credits: Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, Migos, Cardi B, 6lack, Rosalia, Justin Bieber, Drake, Normani, Saweetie, JLO, Nike, & more

Apr 7 2023 / Visceral Dance Center / Chicago, IL

Urbanite welcomed Detroit native dancer and choreographer Natalie Bebko, aka Nat Bat, as our featured performer for the Urbanite 2023: Chicago Dance Showcase and as our workshop instructor during Urbanite Weekend. Fresh off of Rihanna’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, our dance community couldn’t have been more excited to learn from one of the greats!

Press + hold photos to save. 📸 @rxdy.

RECAP

URBANITE: C-U 2023 WORKSHOPS

part of Urbanite: champaign-Urbana weekend

FEATURING JULES MORALES

+ MATT PUMANES

Fri Dec 1 2023 / 7pm-10pm / The City Center / Urbana, IL

Urbanite welcomed two powerhouse members of the Urbanite family – Jules Morales and Matt Pumanes – as workshop instructors for the Champaign-Urbana weekend. Two sold out classes and a change in venue later, what an evening it was! These workshosps were the perfect kick off to a magical Urbanite: C-U weekend!