United Dance Arts
SO, WHAT EXACTLY MAKES UDA UNIQUE?
-
We are the largest Dance facility in Northwest Indiana (IN), featuring five dance studios.
-
Professional dance floors: All our studios feature special cushioned flooring (sprung with O'Mara materials and StageStep Coverings. This provides UDA dancers with the maximum amount of cushion for their comfort (reducing fatigue) and safety (to prevent injury).
-
Our main studios are joined by a viewing room so you can watch the students and teachers interact. Feel free to video or take pictures from the viewing room.
-
Northwest Indiana didn't have a place where people could go to do a variety of things. So, we offer a variety of classes, instructing ALL age groups.
-
Our class variety includes: children's dance, ballet, hip-hop, pole aerobics, pole dancing, adult dance, jazz, tap, performance team, modern, lyrical, conditioning & flexibility, improvisation, musical theatre & more.
-
We even have drinks and snacks available in the office for your convenience.
-
Our dance classes are designed on a progressive system of learning, which groups students by experience, rather than age. According to Melina, "It allows us to keep everybody at the same level. We want everyone to come and learn correctly."
-
In listening to what customers want, and to stay ahead of the competition, we offer classes such as pole dancing, popular with females aged 18 and up.
-
To make things more customer-friendly, a software package was purchased, allowing for class registrations and payments online.
-
Excellent customer service: in addition to our instructors, we have dedicated staff available to answer your questions, whenever you need to ask them!
HIGHEST QUALITY INSTRUCTION
"We have been here since the studio opened. We have had the highest quality instruction, and the office staff is helpful, knowledgable, and kind. The best studio Valparaiso has to offer!"
/ Brandi Amones
VERY KIND AND PROFESSIONAL!
"This studio has helped bloom my daughter's confidence!!! The staff is very kind and professional!"
/ Holly Hoffman
ABOVE AND BEYOND
“The BEST DANCE STUDIO in NWI. The staff are very knowledgeable , caring and compassionate. They treat each like family. The staff goes above and beyond their responsibilities to help their students . I highly recommend UDA to anyone . They keep their students highly motivated.”
/ Chita Rico Isla
LOVES EVERY MINUTE
“My daughter takes dance at UDA and she loves every minute of it. I highly recommend them :)”
/ Jennie Talbert
COULDN'T BE HAPPIER
“The best in NWI. Great teachers. Couldn't be happier.”
/ Danielle Robbins Topping
JUST GET UP AND DANCE
“Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance. Great dancers are great because of their passion.”
/ Martha Graham
Caitlyn -Preschool Director, Dance Instructor
Caitlyn Hasek has been passionate for the art of dance since the age of 3. She trained with Broadway dance professional, Jan Plesniak at Lakeshore Gymnastics and Dance.
Caitlyn has performed in several ballet productions at the Star Plaza Theatre including Cinderella, Firebird, Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, and The Nutcracker with the Indiana Ballet Theatre NW. Caitlyn is also passionate for tap, jazz and lyrical, and continues her training with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.
In addition to her love for dance, Caitlyn is also dedicated to teaching. She began teaching dance and gymnastics classes in 2002 at the age of 16 at Lakeshore Gymnastics and Dance and joined the UDA staff in 2011. She was also a member of the Chesterton High school state championship gymnastics team.
Caitlyn is a graduate from Purdue University North Central with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood addition.
During her student teaching experience, Caitlyn was nominated for “Outstanding Future Educator of the Year” while teaching Kindergarten at Indian Trail Elementary school in LaPorte, IN.
For the upcoming 2012-2013 school year, Caitlyn will be director of the new UDA Dance Academy Preschool and will be teaching preschool for children between the ages of three to five at the new location.
"Caitlyn Qoute here." ~ Caitlyn
Melina - Your Studio Owner
Dance and dance education is a lifework of Melina Yallourakis. She began dancing at Judi Conti’s Dance Studios in Youngstown, Ohio at seven years of age. Melina studied under Judy through grade school eventually teaching at the studio before moving on to college.
Using her dance skills, Melina also led her cheerleading squad at Campbell Memorial High School. Melina majored in physical education at The Ohio State University where she continued to study dance and sports physiology.
She has performed in the musical 42nd Street and Anything Goes. While living in California, she managed a dance studio where she continued her dance education.
After getting married and living in California for five years, she returned to the mid-west to raise her family. Soon it was time for her two daughters to start dancing and after some experience with local studios, the vision of creating a studio in Northwest Indiana based on strong fundamental training and a family atmosphere took hold.
Melina has built the premier dance education facility in the area and has grown each year as the word has spread. Melina will continue her work to represent dancers at the studio who want to dance or model professionally.
Melina would like to stress that, equally important to your child's development, is the atmosphere of sportsmanship, positive attitude and a general feeling of enjoying your classes and your classmates.
"Keep on dancing!" ~ Melina
Our Staff
Our Dedicated Office Staff
Office Manager - Deb
Night Staff - Lauren
Our Assistant Teachers
Any one interested? Contact Melina,
@ 219-617-0725
or, use the form below to let us know of your interest:
