ABOUT TU DANCE

Founded in 2004 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, TU Dance is a leading voice for contemporary dance, shaped for more than two decades by the Artistic Direction of its late Co-Founder, Toni Pierce-Sands. The professional company is acclaimed for its diverse and versatile artists, performing work that draws together modern dance, classical ballet, African-based, and urban vernacular movements.

“Dance creates a shared experience—an undeniable space where a diverse community of audience and artists connect to a common power.

We founded TU Dance to create access and opportunity—a platform for performers, students and audiences to engage the remarkable art form that shaped our lives.”

Toni Pierce-Sands & Uri Sands

The TU Dance repertory features original work by renowned choreographers including Dwight Rhoden, Ron K. Brown, Kyle Abraham, Gioconda Barbuto, Francesca Harper, Katrin Hall, Marcus Jarrell Willis, Gregory Dolbashian and Camille A. Brown, among others. Through celebrated performances of the professional company and accessible dance education at TU Dance Center, TU Dance provides opportunities for everyone to experience the connective power of dance.

TU Dance’s Mission:

TU Dance draws from diverse dance expressions to connect communities with transformational possibilities that bring to life our shared humanity.

TU DANCE NEWS
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THE CONNECTIVE POWER OF DANCE

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2026-2027 TWIN CITIES PERFORMANCE SEASON

Fall Dance Concert | (RE)SONATE ▪ December 4-6, 2026

The Southern Theater | Minneapolis, MN | Tickets | 1672754-inline-iconbwAccessibility

TU Dance opens its 2026–27 season at The Southern Theater in Minneapolis with a dynamic program featuring new and returning voices in contemporary dance. The performances include a world premiere by Uwazi Zamani, the inaugural recipient of the Toni Pierce‑Sands Choreographic Initiative, alongside compelling works by visionary choreographers Gregory Dolbashian and Laurel Keen. Together, these artists bring a rich spectrum of movement, perspective, and innovation to launch the season with depth, energy, and artistry.

To purchase tickets click here.

Program will be available shortly before the performances.

 

 

 

The Fall Dance Concert is funded in part by The Toni Pierce-Sands Legacy Fund.

 

Spring Dance Concert | THREAT ▪ April 22-24, 2027

The O’Shaughnessy at Saint Catherine University | St. Paul, MN | Tickets (Coming Soon!) | 1672754-inline-iconbwAccessibility

TU Dance will present THREAT, a work by acclaimed choreographer Yusha-Marie Sorzano, at The O’Shaughnessy at Saint Catherine University as part of its spring company programming. THREAT is a concert dance theater work that aims to provoke an interrogation of the roles we play as individuals and community in hierarchies. The work posits that hierarchies have the power to control our behavior and infiltrate our thoughts, even when no authority is present to enforce the rules. Using a physical language and soundscape that fuses multicultural traditions and styles of the West and the African Diaspora, this social exploration invites audiences into a modern narrative that speaks to the universal experience of authority, obedience, and rebellion.

To purchase tickets (coming soon!)

Program will be available shortly before the performances.

 

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Photos: Canaan Mattson

TOURING & RESIDENCIES

Touring & Residencies Schedule

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No tours are scheduled at this time

Booking TU Dance

For booking information, contact executive director Abdo Sayegh Rodriguez at ‪(651) 724-9708 or abdo.sayegh@tudance.org.

TU Dance Repertory Gallery: https://vimeo.com/showcase/12268924

Please contact Abdo Sayegh Rodriguez for the gallery password.

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“BREATHTAKING…THE SOLD-OUT AUDIENCE RESPONDED WITH A SPONTANEOUS OUTPOURING OF EMOTION”

                                                                                — StarTribune

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THE SCHOOL AT TU DANCE CENTER

The School at TU Dance Center was formed in 2011, realizing the vision for an educational program committed to access and excellence.  The School shares TU Dance Center with the professional company, providing unparalleled opportunities for students of all ages to learn from working dancers, seasoned faculty, and distinguished guest artists who are frequently in residence with the company.

“students come out of the program with self-confidence, with the ability to transform their lives, with the gift of having experienced pure joy.”Natalie, a TU Dance Center parent

The School is organized in three divisions: the children and teen program introduces the joy of creative movement and beginning dance technique; the pre-professional program trains aspiring dancers up to age 23 who are considering dance careers; and the open program welcomes everyone to join individual classes in a range of techniques including ballet, modern and West African dance.

PROGRAMS, CLASSES & FACULTY

To learn more about the offerings of The School at TU Dance Center, including class schedules and registration information,
>>click here to visit the programs, classes & faculty page<<

TU DANCE CENTER NEWS

CULTIVATE, A Trainee Program

About CULTIVATE

 

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CUL·TI·VATE, A Trainee Program: curated encounters (in and outside the dance studio) designed to support and strengthen the total dance artist, advancing their physical, emotional, and cognitive growth, agility, and acumen. Rooted in TU Dance’s vision of transformational communities, CUL·TI·VATE nurtures artistic excellence and the development of intellectual curiosities and moral character, finely tuned to ignite flourishing communities committed to shared humanity.  (Dr. Carol Marie Webster, PhD)

Inspired by the next generation of dance artists, CUL·TI·VATE is a program designed as a bridge for dancers with advanced training between their educational perspective and envisioning themselves in the professional field. Through classes, workshops, choreographic processes, mentorship, community engagement, teaching, performance and more, dancers will connect and share experiences as a collective as well as expressing and gaining momentum towards their individual interests and goals beyond their time in the program. CUL·TI·VATE will embrace and support each dancer while fostering their unique artistic path centered in TU Dance’s values of excellence, belonging, creativity and transformation.  

 

CULTIVATE FOUNDATIONS

CLASSES/TRAINING: Continue to build on and strengthen foundations in technical practices to support the versatile dance artist of today. We believe in a multifaceted approach as well as the importance of rigor and preparing young dancers for a broad range of artistic opportunities. Alongside working with TU Dance teaching artists, trainees will have the opportunity to participate in classes and workshop with visiting guest choreographers/teachers.

ENGAGING WITH CURRENT ARTISTS IN THE DANCE FIELD: Supporting connection swith current dance artists, choreographers ands scholars in the field on a local, national and international level with the goal of explnding future professional opportunities beyond one’s time in the CULTIVATE program. These connections will be achieved through multiple TU Dance productions throughout the year as well as partnerships with local dance presenters and venues hosting national and international artists.

DANCE & CAREER-ORIENTED WORKSHOPS: Tools to equip dancers and provide a space to foster individual artistic interests and agency to be a part of the landscape of change within the future of dance.

Workshops include topics such as Nutrition & Wellness for Dancers, Mindfulness for Dancers, Alignment, Control and Breath Performance Excellence, The Business of Dance, Advocacy and Activism in the Dance Field, and Auditions: Meeting the Brief and Meeting Yourself Where You Are.

CHOREOGRAPHIC PROCESS: The opportunity to be immersed in artistic processes with renowned choreographers, professional dancers as well as students from The School at TU Dance Center in the creation of new work.

MENTORING (SPRING): With the goal to further support each individual artist, dancers will be paired with a mentor with an expertise in their area of interest and work towards co-creating an artist statement to utilize for auditions, workshops, etc. (Some mentoring hours may fall outside of regularly scheduled program hours.)

SELF-CHOREOGRAPHED SOLOS: Each dancer will have the opportunity to create, perform and film their own solo with guidence from TU Dance’s artistic team as well as thier individual mentor.

TEACHING: Each dancer will gain experience assisting with classes at The School at TU Dance Center. For those that feel particularaly drawn to teaching, pedagogy and/or choreography, further opportunities winthin the school may also be discussed.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Through TU Dance’s continued commitment to staying involved with the community and sharing the transformational power of dance, there will be opportunities to engage with our partner schools as well as other organizations within the Twin Cities.

PERFORMANCES: There will be 2-3 performance opportunities throughout the year.

  • TU Dance at The Southern Theater, Early December, 2026
    • All trainee dancers perform alongside local and international professional dancers.
  • CULTIVATE Solos-In-Process at TU Dance Center, March 2027
    • All trainee dancers perform their self-choreographed solos-in-process as well as speak about their creative process.
  • Spring Company Project,  Late April, 2027
    • All trainees will be involved in the rehearsal process and some trainee dancers may be cast.
  • Spring Showcase at The Barbara Barker Center for Dance: Mid May, 2027
    • All trainee dancers perform alongside students from The School at TU Dance Center

PROGRAM INFORMATION

  • Age range: 18-24 
  • Yearly Schedule
    • CUL·TI·VATE is a one-year program with an option to return for a second year
    • Fall 2026:
      • 10-week Fall session (September 24-December 6, 2026)
      • CULTIVATE off November 26 & 27, 2026 (Thanksgiving)
    • Spring 2027:
      • 10-week Spring session (March 1-May 16, 2027)
      • CULTIVATE off April 26-30, 2027
    • Dates/Weeks subject to change – Advanced notice will be given.
  • Daily Schedule
    • Monday-Friday 9:30am-4:15pm.
    • The schedule may include additional hours (evenings and/or Saturdays). Advanced notice will be provided if the schedule changes.
    • Tech Week hours may differ from the daily schedule noted above, and will be provided approximately one month in advance. Full availability is required during tech week.
  • Compensation
    • $450/week (subject to adjustment based on program funding)
    • CULTIVATE Trainees will be compensated as employees.
    • CULTIVATE Apprenticeships (if offered) are unpaid
  • CULTIVATE Apprenticeships
    • More information coming soon!
  • Location 
    • All classes, rehearsals, and workshops will take place at TU Dance Center or places determined by TU Dance.
    • Community engagement and performances may take place off-site
  • Housing and travel are not provided

AUDITION INFORMATION

REQUIREMENTS

  • Strongly encouraged to attend the TU Dance Summer Intensive, August 3-15, 2026. Please register here! (scholarships available)
  • Resume and Cover Letter expressing your interest and goals for participating in CUL·TI·VATE.
  • If you are not able to attend the Summer Intensive, please email the following to laurel.keen@tudance.org and anna.pinault@tudance.org by August 2, 2026.
    • Resume and Cover Letter expressing your interest and goals for participating in CUL·TI·VATE.
    • Performance Reel (3 minutes max and may include studio or performance footage which clearly shows the individual instead of group work)
  • An in-person or virtual meeting may be scheduled as part of the audition process.
  • Dancers will receive notification of their acceptance into the CUL·TI·VATE program by August 23, 2026.

 

More Information & Contact

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The CULTIVATE Trainee Program was created by TU Dance Founding Artistic Director Toni Pierce-Sands and will continue to stay rooted in her belief that young dance artists should not only receive high-level dance training but also a holistic education that supports the full human being. A space where each dancer can refine and sharpen their tools to go out into the world knowing themselves more fully and prepared to contribute generously to their community and the dance landscape as a whole. Toni continues to inspire our work of “finding just the right key to unlock each person’s unique gifts and artistry”.

View the 2026_2027 CULTIVATE Brochure

CUL·TI·VATE Interest and Questions: For any questions about the program, and to let us know if you are taking the TU Dance Summer Program as part of the audition, please email: anna.pinault@tudance.org and laurel.keen@tudance.org

 

Meet the 2026/2027 CULTIVATE Trainees and Apprentices (COMING SOON!)

GIVING

TU Dance was named by Minnpost among the highest impact nonprofits in providing access to the arts MinnPost, November 2012

Supporters Like You Make TU Dance Possible

Through performance, community engagement and education, TU Dance celebrates the connective power of dance for audiences, students and performing artists. Since our founding in 2004, generous gifts from individual donors have made this work possible. In fact, a November 2012 Minnpost article cited TU Dance among 18 highest impact nonprofits in providing access to the arts. With your donation to our annual fund, you are supporting the connective power of dance in local and touring performances, community engagement and training for students at TU Dance Center in Saint Paul. Click here to give to our annual fund through the GiveMN.org site.

Support TU Dance and The School at TU Dance Center!

Annual support from individual donors helps make it possible for TU Dance to continue to provide the needed platform where artists, students and audiences experience the connective power of dance. We ask you to consider a tax-deductible gift to TU Dance. Visit https://www.givemn.org/organization/Tu–Dance to give online today or contact us at info@tudanc.org or ‪(651) 724-9708.
Click here to see the youth of TU Dance Center share what TU Dance means to them.
Click here for a list of current TU Dance donors.

 

TU Dance activities are made possible with major support from 3M Gives, Elmer L. & Eleanor J. Andersen Foundation, City of Saint Paul Cultural STAR Program, The Rosemary and David Good Family Foundation, Bob and Kathie Goodale Legacy Fund, International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD), Marbrook Foundation, McKnight Foundation, E.A. Michelson Philanthropy, the Archie D. & Bertha H. Walker Foundation and Minnesota State Arts Board.
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Made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

MSAB grants are overseen by TU Dance’s Board of Directors Colleen Kaufenberg, Colette Hawkins, Neeraj Mehta, Tamara Stark, Benjamin Roberts and Abdo Sayegh Rodriguez. MSAB grants are managed by TU Dance’s Executive Director Abdo Sayegh Rodriguez (abdo.sayegh@tudance.org)

 

Contact Us

Mailing Address:
TU Dance
P.O. Box 40405
Saint Paul, MN  55104
Street Address:
TU Dance Center
2121 University Ave West
Saint Paul, MN 55114

(651) 724-9708

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