Dance Education
Shadow Puppetz provides workshops, intensives, and weekly sessions that focus on building skills, fostering creativity, and strengthening connections within the funk dance community. Our programs are designed to meet dancers at every level, offering accessible opportunities to learn and grow their creative practice.
Weekly Class & Session
Our weekly funk dance classes and sessions are designed to provide a consistent, inclusive space for dancers to develop their skills and connect with the community. Each month, we focus on a new topic or theme, and each week consists of one hour of structured instruction followed by one hour of freestyle practice. You can find our most up-to-date schedule on our Events Calendar or by following us on Instagram.
We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to participate, regardless of financial circumstances. To keep these classes and sessions accessible, we offer a voluntary fee model. The true cost of running these sessions—including studio rental and instructor fees—was valued at $5,320 in 2024, averaging $140 per session. This reflects the cost if we were to hire instructors, but Shadow Puppetz members subsidized this cost by $3,800 in 2024 by volunteering their time to teach.
INTENSIVES
Our intensives offer dancers the chance to dive deeper into various funk dance styles. These programs are designed for those looking to challenge themselves and accelerate their learning through rigorous and collaborative training.
To support our efforts to continue offering and expand these programs, we charge a fee for participation. However, we may waive or offer reduced fees for dancers with financial barriers who have demonstrated serious dedication to learning.
Featured workshops
Throughout the year, we invite special guest instructors from around the world to teach specialized workshops on various topics. These workshops provide a rare opportunity for our community to learn from renowned artists who they may not otherwise have the chance to study with. We’ve been fortunate to host guests from cities such as Cincinnati, Dallas, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Montreal, San Francisco, Stockholm, and Washington DC.
These workshops bring fresh perspectives and unique teaching styles to our space, enriching our community’s experience and knowledge.
BOOK US
In addition to our regular programs, Shadow Puppetz partners with universities, choreography groups, professional dance companies, and other organizations to provide tailored funk dance education. Our members specialize in various styles such as popping, robot, animation, locking, waving, and tutting. Whether you’re looking for advance training, foundational instruction, or a session to foster creativity and collaboration, we can design a program that meets your needs.