The Underground Dance Centre

So much fun taking classes here! I had been creeping their videos on social media for a while but was too scared to take a class. I had never taken hip-​hop before. I worried I’d stick out awkwardly or be too old! Now I can’t believe it took me so long to try this place out. It really is a place anyone can drop-​in to. Staff and teachers are super approachable and the vibe is welcoming. Yes, the advanced classes have really intricate choreography and the dancers are killing it, but everyone has to start somewhere:) Facilities are spacious and clean. They recently were closed for a few weeks due to water damages, but now everything is back up and running. Change rooms have showers (which are a good idea after House — it’s a crazy cardio workout) but no lockers. Most people bring their purses into the studio. The variety of styles offered is excellent (many genres of street dance, plus themed classes like Beyonce or «Find Your Fierce»!). I have only tried hip-​hop and house so far. I definitely recommend TUDC for a fun time.

BOTTOM LINE: Soooo… those beginner classes are more like intermediate. :) Also, $ 5 off from a Unilocal check-​in deal!
TUDC offers house, hip-​hop, locking, jazz, contemporary, heels, voguing, hitting, etc. If you’re looking for more classical or traditional styles like ballroom, tango, salsa, etc., you’ll need to go elsewhere. Although it’s not entirely clear on the site, drop-​in classes are $ 15. You can get up to a 20-​class pack for $ 240 (this is the best deal at $ 12/​class), or their monthly membership for $ 20 for unlimited classes at $ 10/​class (which means you’d have to attend at least 23 classes/​month, or you’re better off getting the 20-​pack).
I don’t have a dance background at all so I was initially intimidated to try this place out because I was told that some of the best dancers in Toronto train and teach here. But the staff and instructors are super cool and welcoming, and not pretentious at all. Other students I’ve met have been down-​to-​earth and friendly. Many seemed to have been coming for over a year, so you know the classes are good! It’s worth dropping by if only to watch the advance/​master classes go to work because they’re so good!
Their website and app are really well organized, which makes looking up and booking your classes a cinch. They also often have different instructors for the same genre so you’ll get to see how their styles differ. They’re very active on Instagram (
) post most choreos within an hour of the class — I can see some peeps being shy, but you really don’t notice the GoPro camera running. You can also purchase specific class vids for 99 cents, which can be really helpful for review (and/​or cringe worthy).
The studio has 2 rooms: a smaller one that faces Richmond Street and a much larger one in the interior. I would say that the smaller one can get cramped and on busy nights, and you’ll need to be careful not to run into others. Not really that big of a deal though, to be honest. There is also a change room with 2 showers you can use. You can definitely work up a sweat in these classes, so I would recommend bringing extra water and a change of clothes.
Finally, as someone who sometimes feels like they have 2 left feet, the «beginner» classes can sometimes feel like «intermediate» for the uninitiated. But again, a lot of people are probably in the same boat as you, and you can only get better when challenged. I’ve done beginner’s House with Anna M (bring extra water!), beginner’s Hip-​Hop with JP, Aaron and Shane, and intermediate Locking with Lady C (even though I’m a total Jon Snow when it comes to Locking), and I’d definitely recommend them all.

As a long-​time music lover of sundry genres, I’ve always been starry-​eyed about the art of dance, the physiological response to the language of rhythm. With my two left feet, I’d admire from afar the way these individuals can groove and express themselves ever so naturally.
Anyhow, since it’s a new year and the Underground Dance Center was running the «March Madness» promo (1), I decided to take classes! Best decision ever. The logistics of getting to the dance center, registering and paying for classes are all very straightforward and hassle-​free (2). Instructors (3) are professional, lively, and very receptive to questions. I just wish there were more classes on the weekends then, this would fo’sho be ⁵⁄₅.
I’ve done the House class w/​Anna Martynova a few times and love the way she teaches it. The class will start with a quick warm up via basic steps which will alternate between slow /​fast speeds (4). Anna will quickly move into the actual choreography and the build up is rapid. But, don’t worry, all the steps undergo a high number of repetitions. Keep trying to follow along and you’ll impress yourself! (I know I did!) At the end of this 90-​minute sesh, everyone in the class is literally DRENCHED (actually, this outcome also happened for all the other classes I took — the instructors really challenge your physical endurance!).
So with that said, a few tips for your first class:
1. Bring a water bottle. If you forget, fret not because the front desk does sell a variety of Gatorade for $ 2.
2. Bring a pair of indoor running shoes.
3. Bring a set of clothes to change into after class. Trust me.
4. Check their website /​instagram for class schedules.
5. Bring a brazen, can-​do-​will-​do attitude! Put your whole heart into it! HAVE FUN!
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(1) Pay $ 20 upfront and get every class thereafter for $ 10 for the month of March.
(2) Bring cash or credit!
(3) Based on my experience in taking (all with different instructors): House, Beginner Heels, Beginner Hip-​Hop, Intermediate/​Advance Hip-​Hop
(4) Note: Not your *typical* beginner’s class where you get babied every step of the way. You’ll be challenged so, be prepared! :)