STAFF: All of  our staff are professionally trained and will offer your dancer a fun friendly environment to learn and grow.  Our teachers all continue to dance professionally and train on a regular basis to give your students truly the best when it comes to technique & style.  We pride ourselves on a diverse staff to meet all our dancers' needs. (Please read more below.)

DANCE SHOWCASE: Our year end Dance Showcase (May) will prove to be an amazing culmination of all that your dancer has learned throughout the year at UBD.  No expensive costumes or outrageous ticket prices.......we make it so all friends and family can come and see your dancer perform.

CLASSES: All of our classes have not only one professionally trained teacher, but we also provide TA's (Teacher Assistants) for larger classes so that your student always receives the one on one attention they deserve. Click on "Classes" tab above for a current schedule


Owner/Program Director:  Shannon "B" Murray has been dancing and teaching for over 15 years.  She has a BA in Dance Teaching and Administration and has taught at some of the most reputible studio in Chicago and LA incluing; Hubbard Street, Joel Hall, Giordano Dance Center, Jo's Footwork, Hollywood Music Int., DancEd to name a few.  Her strong training in multiple styles of dance including, Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, Tap and Hip hop allow her to teach proper technique, as well as advise and train her staff to their greatest potential.  Shannon was also the former Director for Kids Can Dance a not-for-profit based youth program in Evanston for over 4 years.
 
Many of her students have gone on to be professional dancers and teachers throughout the US.  She is most excited about being able to share her vision of dance with all our talented dancers, families and teachers.  Unlike many other studio's where you can never find the Owner, you will always see Shannon at the UBD Studio.  If not at the desk available for questions, you can find her in the classroom having fun teaching your students.

 Missy Smith (Flow Company, Jazz, Ballet, Broadway, Hip Hop)  Mellissa, originally from Winslow, Arizona, recently came to Chicago from Peoria, Illinois to pursue her promising dance career after performing with The Illinois Ballet for 3 years. Originally studying under Elizabeth Troxler at the Northern Arizona Preparatory School of Performing Arts in Flagstaff, Arizona, Missy was one of the few dancers to gracefully pass the Royal Academy of Dances elite Grades 5-8 levels of technique. She went on to dance professionally with Ballet Tuscon and the National Ballet of Panama, and now currently dances with the Elements Contemporary Ballet here in Chicago. Melissa also has taught Ballet and Jazz at the Northern Arizona Preparatory School of Performing Arts and the CentralIllinoisDanceSchool. She currently teaches Ballet, Jazz, and Hip Hop at local studios throughout the Chicagoland area, such as Jos Footwork in Western Springs, Illinois and Dance Ed in Northbrook, Illinois, as well as, teaches Ballroom Dance to young children in the Chicago Public School.  Missy continues her training at the under Mike Gosney. 
 
Stephanie Paul (Hip Hop, Stomp)    Stephanie is a native New Yorker who has proudly called Chicago her home since 2002. While working towards a B.S. in Communication Studies at Northwestern University, she discovered her passion for rhythm and dance as a member of Boomshaka, NU's percussion/dance/rhythm ensemble and as a student of Billy Siegenfeld (Jump Rhythm Jazz Project, Artistic Director). After co-directing Boomshaka for two years, Stephanie graduated from Northwestern in 2006 with an undeniable need to continue creating, performing and educating.  In July 2006 she co-founded Be the Groove, a Chicago-based rhythmic performance ensemble, and she also serves as the group’s Artistic Director. When not working with Be the Groove Stephanie devotes her time to teaching dance and absolutely loves it.

Staci Stevens (Hip Hop)  She has been an active part of the Illinois Pom World for over 8 years. She performed at the State level all four years of high school, taking the state title her junior year. She still choreographs for High school pom squads through her co-owned choreography company, Step-Sisters Choreography. Staci has helped many teams place in the IDTA state championships. In 2006, Staci took her career to the professional level when she became a member of the Adrenaline Rush Dance Team during the Chicago Rush’s Arena Bowl Championship season. While thoroughly enjoying being a part of the team, Staci decided to step down as a member of the Rush to pursue her hip-hop career. Staci is now a member of Chicago Onyx Dance Alliance, C.O.D.A, a highly reputable hip-hop company in Chicago. Staci is not only a great dancer but a firm believer that dance is only worth it if you are having fun! 


Elmo ( Hip Hop)    Meet Elmo he's a Southside Chicago resident that started dancing in the early 90's. He has been trained in styles such as hip hop, jazz, African and was a pioneer in Southside dance style called footwork.. He is currently a dances with the professional hip hop company Chicago Onyx Dance Alliance(C.O.D.A) and has traveled across the U.S. competing as well as showcasing his talent. 
 

 

Christina Rodriguez (Hip hop, Kids Hip hop, Sr & Jr. Company)   Christina has been dancing and teaching at UBD for over 3 years. While being enrolled in classes and an active member of the Elite Company, Christina began assisting Jeannine Trinka (a former UBD instructor) as a teacher’s assistant for hip-hop classes.  After a successful year of assisting she is now one of our regular her hip-hop teachers and company choreographers.  Christina has moved from the Elite Company to an active member of Chicago Onyx Dance Alliance. Christina can been scene dancing at many local Chicago shows such a HYPE as dancing with local vocal artist as a back up dancer, and competing in Los Angeles.  She is also attending school as a Business major with a minor in Dance.

Than Tran (Break Dance)    Thanh has been breaking since summer of 2005. He is an active member of Chicago’s very own 3^rd Degree Cypher Arsonists bboy crew. Also, he is affiliated with Phaze 2 Crosstown Combat crew that has been around since 1982. You can find him battling, performing, entertaining, and enlightening the youth of the hip hop culture. Thanh is known for his unique creative style and his quick feet. He hopes that his experiences can teach others to open their minds to the real world of bboying which is why he is excited to be teaching at UBD.

Victoria Van Cura (Jazz - TA)
She has danced with Urban Beat Dance for three years. Victoria started dancing at two years old, in a tot’s ballet class, and hasn't stopped since. She has taken all forms of dance—ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, pointe and hip hop. She is a junior at New Trier High School and is a member of Kinesis, choreographs for Dance Theater New Trier and choreographed for Northfield Dance Ensemble.  While being enrolled in classes at Urban Beat Dance and a member of the Elite Company, Victoria began assisting Christina and Alley as a teacher’s assistant for hip hop classes.  She currently teaches a jazz class and has taught a hip hop class. She loves to dance and hopes to major in it in college. “You can dance anywhere, even if only in your heart.”

Tru Hunter (Boys Hip Hop- TA)  

Tru began dancing at a young age in Evanston IL with Kids Can Dance.  He has studied everything from Jazz, African, Hip Hop and Break Dance and has been a part of the Urban Beat Dance Elite company for 3 years. Tru continues to dance with the Elite company and enjoys choreographing and working with our UBD dancers.