Super posh dance center. Came for a 90's/00's dance class with Dre. It was a high energy but low pressure class. I really enjoyed the class and the studio that the class was held in. Our class was in studio #5. The sound system was good. Unsure if I loved the floors, but they worked good for this class. Ample spacing for our class which had nearly 2 dozen participants. The space it self is really comprehensive. I saw multiple bathrooms and a gender-neutral bathroom. There is at least 5 separate dance spaces. Each space was arranged depending on dance style. I saw a room with several barre. The general area also boosted several areas to just chill while waiting on a loved to finish a class. On this day...all the kiddos were taking classes. So many little one excited to take their dance classes. It was cute because this little girl kep staring at our class through the window. Highly recommend seeing all the offerings at this dance center. I was surprised by the many offerings they have. I want to try a beginner hip-hop but we will see. Tip: Parking is located around the building on street. Mostly free but get there with time to look. I found it easier to just park off Belmont and walk. read more

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Came for beginner/intermediate ballet with Brian! It was super challenging, but definitely more technical for beginners so wouldn't recommend for first timers. Beautiful studio read more

Visceral Dance Center - Dance Studios Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I absolutely love my ballet teacher. He teaches right to our level and gives great explanations. Challenging but not too hard. This place is also beautiful and comfortable. read more

I adore Nick, Braeden, and all the guest teachers for Beginning/intro ballet (for adults), especially Brian Enos! I adore the live piano, especially the Sunday Intermediate classes, as they tend to play fewer Disney songs. Sundays are also a tad less crowded, which I appreciate. Multi-generational classes that are the perfect challenge level for those who want to have fun, twirl, jump and look fierce. The classes are widely popular for a reason! read more

I've been coming to Visceral for a little over a year now and I have enjoyed every single class and experience. They have adult classes and 6-week sessions (I'm on my second 6-week jazz session with Brandon Coleman - he is AMAZING) and also more experienced levels of classes in intermediate, advanced and pro levels of jazz, modern, ballet and hip hop. I've taken master classes with Kate Jablonski, Int/Adv Hip Hop and Contemporary Jazz with Chris Xayarath and now training with Brandon, a Visceral company member. The drop in class prices are between $10 and $15 and are always worth your while. If you're a Chicago native, a transplant to the city or from out of town, come to Visceral for classes and training. It's truly visceral. read more

Visceral Dance Center - Dance Studios Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I can finally write a legit review, now that I've taken actual classes here. First off, I'm obsessed with Nick's ballet class. I've taken it at several different time slots/different days, and he's great. He's very personable, he keeps the combinations interesting, and I love that he kind of picks a certain muscle group to work on and brings it back in different combos. I also love that while it isn't mentally taxing (he doesn't do crazy technical jump combinations that make my head hurt trying to figure out what to do), the physicality and tempo still leaves me sweating and sore the next day. It's a very physically challenging class, which is nice. I also took his Saturday jazz class once, and it was phenomenal as well. Unfortunately that doesn't work in my schedule anymore. His jazz style is refreshing, and his insane warmup will kick anyone into shape. I bought the Groupon for here, so it works out to be like $6/class, which is a steal (I also bought a Lou Conte one for $4/class). I'm so sad that my Groupon 10 class card is almost gone, and that I'll have to pay $15/class...on my graduate student limited budget, that's not really doable for me on a weekly or even monthly basis. I wish they had some sort of college student discount. There is a professional rate for $10/class, and a professional 10-class card that works out to $9/class, but you must be in a company or an Equity member for that (I wish it applied to dance teachers who aren't in companies. Oh well.) The Diversey (#76) bus drops off right around the corner, which is great and super easy. I haven't driven here since 2008, but I'm assuming there's still plenty of street parking. It looks like it's metered parking now, but that still works. Other people have said there's an El nearby, and it's right off of the interstate, so suburban commutes can be easy. read more

Classes were great! The studio was super nice and clean. The instructors are all super nice and friendly too!

I have taken a few of Visceral's open ballet classes taught by Laura Wade. This is a review as to Ms. Wade's professionalism as a teacher. I understand that it's class policy for students to not show up late. But one day when I arrived at the front desk 10 minutes late, the front desk staff allowed me access to the class and encouraged me to enter the studio. I did. Ms. Wade stopped class and the pianist, and personally walked across the studio to me to tell me, it's too late and I should get out. There were a lot of others in the studio. The experience was humiliating. I have had no prior relationship of any sort with Ms. Wade. Her attitude in that moment was nasty and unprofessional. Also, on a few occasions when I waited after class to ask Ms. Wade some questions, she ignored me while taking questions from others. She kept taking others' questions while walking out the studio, but she never looked my way. She continued walking ahead after she was finished speaking with the last customer ahead of me. It could be that she genuinely did not notice me, but I called her name out loud a few times to try to get her attention. I got the impression her ignorance was intentional. I suggest that Ms. Wade and the Visceral staff take appropriate corrective measures as to how they treat their customers, if they care about retaining their reputation in the Chicago dance community. read more

This is a great studio for a serious dancer. They have a great range of classes throughout the week and also host numerous amounts of masterclasses. Parking is pretty decent. Follow the signs and you can find a lot of free parking. The facilty is great! It is spacious, clean, and has a nice urban/warehouse look. Makes me feel legit when I'm busting out my hip hop skills =) read more

2 seconds off the highway and a quick walk from the El Visceral is located on the corner of Diversey and Elston. Street parking is available free or not, if you look. The desk staff are always super friendly and helpful. As a dance mom/dancer I interact with a lot of front desk staff and here they not only make me feel welcome but my daughter as well. While the classes are for 13 and up they are all on the advanced level. Nick Pupillo, the director and owner, has done a great job of creating an atmosphere all about dance and not about drama. He brings in great master teachers such as Toyko, Eddy Ocampo, Jon Lehrer, etc as well as hosting many master classes with many hip hop artists. The staff are mostly still performing artists and have the edge on what dance is now. Classes like Tue Advanced Jazz w/Nick and Wed Contemporary w/Kate are musts for all dancers. The space is urban and clean clean clean. Feet are not black when leaving the studio!! Very large and spacious studios sans any poles in the middle of the room. Space is also available for eating, waiting and relaxing. You can find me on the couch! All in all Nick has done a great job creating yet another hub of dance right up there with the Conte's and Joel Hall's that many dancers flock to to not only take class but to rehearse their company, hold auditions, host a master class, etc. A great place to be. read more

Visceral is the poo, so take a big whiff! "Bring It On" quotes, anyone? No? Ok. I've been dancing since about 2003, and I've seen a lot of studios. Visceral is really everything you can ask for in a dance studio - spacious rooms, great location, super clean, friendly staff, and legitimate teachers. The exposed ceilings and brick give the studio a cool urban warehouse feel, but it's definitely not old and dusty. I would definitely recommend taking classes here if you are interested in dance. When I first moved to Chicago last year, I called the studio inquiring about hip hop classes and they were very friendly and informative. If you're not sure what level or type of class you want to take, just give them a ring. read more

First time ever taking a dance class and I'm so impressed! My girlfriend and I decided to take one because her best friend has been part of a dance group for years and we've always been going to her shows just watching in awe. I think one day my girlfriend decided that it was time that we make an attempt to learn how to dance like her. After getting some tips, we decided on Visceral based on both the price of the beginner's hip hop class and quality of instructors. The studio there was large and clean. The hip hop class was composed of about 15 or so people with just one other male who looked like his girlfriend might have brought him there too. Our experience there was crazy as the substitute instructor Charlie Guyton taught us an intermediate level dance. He was both fun and charismatic, keeping the class engaged while providing supportive words to newcomers like myself. I had a huge amount of difficulty learning the steps but was given ample time to try and replicate the moves. It was a great atmosphere with newbies and people who looked like they had a decent amount of experience just based on their movements. By the end I was breathing pretty hard from the workout I just got and partially from the nerves from having to had perform the dance at the class's finish. My girlfriend and I both agreed that we would be back though, and at just $10 a class taught by highly experienced instructors, I doubt that there's a better value out there. read more

"Beauty captivates the flesh in order to obtain permission to pass right to the soul." Weil Yes, I am being sentimental this time... She's so High She's so High She's so High up above She's so High She's so High Up above in the clouds Save the grace and let go the gravity...I let go my earthy thoughts and immersed for half and hour in the world of beauty that comes through brutal physical pain, bought in full for 14 bucks. Yet the grace did not leave me. The voice of the instructor is still ringing in my ear and my ballet slippers calling from heaven. Angels gave me the grace to redeem myself from gravity. Heads up, tummies in, legs up high, and pointe. Through the beauty I feel the grace. She's so high She's so High She's so High She's so high up above. read more

Absolutely LOVE Visceral. Nick's ballet and contemporary jazz classes are very challenging and fun. Jackie's contemporary class is crazy good, really really amazing. She blew me away. Hannah teaches in the afternoon contemporary dance, she is such a talented choreographer, taking her class would be thrilling if I were advanced. I am working my way to that. The students in this school are ridiculously good dancers, so well trained and talented, I am in constant awe. Every time I leave class at Visceral, I feel really stupid but that is a good thing. The challenge is good for me. And clearly, it is working for the other students. This school is for those who really want to be pushed to a higher level. And the facilities are clean, parking is free on the street, prices are very reasonable. read more

I've been taking beginning hip hop classes here for a few months off and on with martel jackson and am enjoying them immensely. i always feel very challenged by his choreography. The staff at Visceral is always attentive, encouraging and friendly. The space is always clean and inviting. I always look forward to spending time/learning at Visceral. read more

3/24/18 UPDATE - Visceral still going strong! I moved to Logan Square from Lincoln Park and I'm so happy to be closer to this studio! Hip Hop is now on Monday nights with Alex and he's AMAZING. Such a great dancer, instructor, and human being. I love this class and always hope my Monday nights stay clear so I can go (we even moved The Bachelor viewing to Tuesdays to accommodate). Loved my first class at Visceral!!! Did hip hop w/ Khris - he was AMAZING- such a good dancer. loved the studio and the price:) will definitely be back and will tell friends! read more

I can not recommend Visceral Dance Center more! High quality training. Whenever I am home I have to take a class. If you like contemporary, Chris Xayarath's class is a must! You won't leave disappointed. I wish they offered tap here, but I am so happy with the contemporary, jazz and hip hop classes read more

Awesome they have awesome dancing and a team for adults and a team for little kids inside out dance crew and inside out professional Andrew takes hull is a. Amazing teacher I love dancing there the owner is so nice too read more

Great school with amazing instructors. The school is very well organized and clean Perfect for all ages

Visceral is a great place to take class, and has a wonderful front desk staff. Erin in particular has helped me out recently- friendly and efficient. Thank you Erin! read more

I really like Nick who is the artistic director, but the classes skew heavily towards advanced. I keep hoping that he will add more beginning/intermediate or intermediate classes, but it is a young studio. Also many young young kids in the studio, and frankly I feel out of place sometimes. And I've been going there for about a year. read more

I have been out of college and living in the Chicago area for about a year now and since moving here I have been taking class at Visceral religiously. I can't imagine going anywhere else. I am convinced that I have improved more by dancing here for one year than in all four years of college combined. Nick Pupillo has gathered an amazing group of teachers, many of whom are practicing professionals or direct dance companies in the Chicago area. I particularly enjoy taking class on Tuesday mornings with Mike Gosney and Mikey Rioux. Mike Gosney teaches a very intense ballet class that is really targeted at conditioning your body for better turn out, higher extensions, etc. and it has truly changed my approach to ballet. Mikey's class, on the other hand, is a unique modern class centered on a flowing continuity of changing energy...set to some pretty funky music. He also teaches some really awesome floor work that looks and feels kind of like breakdancing. Between these two teachers alone it is easy to see what a great variety of classes are offered here and how Visceral creates such well rounded dancers. So in summation, THANK YOU NICK PUPILLO! for creating such an amazing space for us to practice our craft and inspire one another every day! read more

I've only been here for a few Belly Dance workshops but I really like the facility. The floors are wonderful and the studios are big with a huge wall o' mirrors. They also have two nice sized changing rooms for dancers. Very clean and they even have a small kitchen area to hang out at during your break. Ample street parking, although some of it is metered. read more

Visceral is saaaaweeeet!!! I dance here :) so does the awesome dance company I'm with, Design!!!!!

Cutting-edge studio in our burgeoning neighborhood. Makes me pine for my youth.

I Love visceral ! Only been to a couple of hip hop classes but i've had a blast with both instructors. Plus the groupon makes the prices really low ($4 a class if you buy 10). I wish they had a location in the suburbs because I have to drive 45 minutes to get there.. but it's worth it ! read more

Visceral Dance Chicago is fantastic. The facility is clean, cool and all-around appealing to the eye. Nick Pupillo has done a great job creating this outlet for dancers of all ages and levels. read more

I think these studios are really nice and spacious. I like some of their teachers too.

I love and would really recommend Visceral Dance Center because everyone there is positive and all the dances the choreographer's make are all amazing. Dancing there is really fun, and an amazing experience. I love Visceral and I bet anyone who goes there will too. read more

I love taking classes at Visceral Dance Center. The staff is extremely friendly when walk-in. They have variety of teachers; love changing my classes to try all of them. I really like the studio space; even when its a packed class, you still have enough room to dance. Definitely check this place out; overall experience five stars! read more

This is more of a question. I'm 23 years old and I have never taken any ballet classes. I saw they were offering beginner ballet classes. Would this suit me since I have never taken any dance class. read more

I bought a class card here last summer, hoping to have a good time and see if I had any remaining skills from my zillion years of dance classes as a child. I opted for the beginner classes since I hadn't been in a studio in many years. I liked the beginner jazz classes I took, but I did not care for the beginner hip-hop class, taught by Trae Turner. Trae is an amazing dancer, but I did not care for his teaching style. I thought Trae was rude, telling us we weren't trying and just going through the motions. I've taken many classes, and I didn't think this was the way to treat beginners. A friend came with me the first time, but refused to go back because of him. I tried it a few more times and finally had to say something. After class, I said that he might want to think about being a bit more encouraging and less critical, especially because it was a beginner class. Some of the girls in there could not have been over 15, and they looked terrified. He didn't say anything. He was much nicer the next time, but not the time after that. I won't be buying another class card. read more

Visceral is the best place to take class in Chicago! Not only is there a class and level for every one, the staff and teachers are very welcoming and supportive! read more

I am from Michigan, so on weekends and summer breaks I use to come to visceral and take their drop-in adult classes. The drop-in classes really made it easy to come and take class whenever I wanted since they have no contracts, no class minimum purchase, no reservation, etc. Also, dance summer intensives are always so expensive, so what I use to do is come to the city for a week/weekend and take several dance classes over a few days from all the different drop-in studios in Chicago. Visceral was always, hands down, my favorite place out of the couple studios I went to. I always felt welcome even though I only would come a couple times a year. Also, there is such a great variety here, that I think there is a teacher that every dancer can consider to teach "their style." Whether you live near or far from Visceral, I highly recommend dropping in for class! (Also, if you love it and want to come more often, they have class cards you can buy that gives you a discount on the classes!) read more

I took classes there today and was very happy to discover that the studio stays open for the holidays. The ballet and modern classes I took were great, and the instructor Becca Lemme had a great energy. I will definitely be returning there to try more of their ballet and jazz classes. read more

Seriously the best place to take a dance class in chicago. Their studios are not only huge but they're clean!! I don't know about you, but I'd rather not be warming up on the floor in a pile of dust clumps and dirt. Props to their staff for keeping it so clean and friendly! read more

I was searching for the best place to take a basic Jazz dancing class.. I'm very happy I went with Visceral. I was a bit skeptical- as the exterior of the building doesn't look too notable/inviting. Don't judge a book by its cover! The studio is so inviting, clean and surprisingly spacious! I have not taken any other classes here yet, as their beginner class offerings are limited, but I am very happy with my instructor, Sean. I am very pleased that although this studio is very pro/advanced focused, their beginner classes are appropriately beginner (quite refreshing!), but Sean knows how to give us the 'just-right' challenge. I will definitely take more classes here if they work in my schedule. I gave them 4 stars instead of 5, because I wish they would post their schedule a little ahead of time, and I dropped a star because I wish they had a better selection of basic/beginner classes. Great place, highly recommended! read more

I would say this is one of the top training centers in the city! It's the best training you can get for ballet, contemporary, and modern dance in this city. I love Visceral and have been taking classes on and off over the past couple years. Laura Wade, Melinda Myers, and Nick Pupillo are some of my favorites. All of the faculty are professionals who have danced with the most highly regarded companies in Chicago. They share many instructors with Hubbard Street's Lou Conte Dance Studio. Not only are the instructors highly skilled in their areas of expertise, but they are also good at TEACHING and giving specific, individualized corrections, along with helping students realize artistic concepts related to expression, vision, movement quality, etc - not everyone who is a phenomenal dancer is phenomenal at teaching dance, but at Visceral the instructors are great at both. Visceral also brings in top-notch master class instructors. I love this studio and hope that it continues to prosper and develop the next generation of Chicago's dancers! read more

Great place for a professional dancer!! Fantastic, well know teachers that are diverse and knowledgable. They have somehow managed to create a non-competitive, no drama environment amongst the advanced classes that is extremely refreshing and much needed in the professional Chicago dance scene. Lots of free parking on the street and a discounted class price for current working professionals. The floor has a little too much traction so you might not turn as well as you're used to but other than that, no complaints. I have read a few posts complaining about how all the classes are too advanced but if a schedule clearly states the level as advanced/professional it is going to be just that. Those classes are not for the recreational dancer, but for people who make their living as a professional dancer and are there to maintain and enhance their skills, not learn them for the first time. I highly recommend Visceral for any visiting professionals or touring companies who need to rent reasonably prices rehearsal space. read more