UniverSOUL Hip Hop (USHH) is a Los Angeles-based collective of professional Hip Hop and Street Dance artists bringing culturally grounded, joyful dance experiences to schools and communities. Through arts education, expanded learning, interactive assemblies, family engagement, and professional development, USHH partners with schools to support student learning, creative expression, belonging, and positive school culture.
For more than a decade, USHH has partnered with schools and leading arts and cultural institutions throughout Southern California, including LAUSD, The Music Center, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, The Ford, and Disney. Our accomplished teaching and performing artists bridge authentic Hip Hop/Street Dance cultural practice with standards-based pedagogy to create accessible, high-quality experiences where students can move, create, connect, and experience Hip Hop as a living culture.
From the classroom to expanded learning, schoolwide assemblies, educator development, and family engagement, USHH offers multiple ways to bring arts, culture, joy, and connection across the school community. Schools may book individual programs or create a customized Hip Hop Connections partnership that builds a pathway from schoolwide inspiration, to sustained dance learning, to family and community engagement.
At the heart of our work is a commitment to developing artists, strengthening communities, and cultivating the next generation of movement makers.
Making Movement Makers!
UniverSOUL Hip Hop offers culturally rooted Hip Hop and Street Dance education, performances, professional development, and family engagement experiences that inspire creativity, confidence, connection, and community. Our programs integrate Hip Hop culture, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), arts education, and collaborative movement to support student growth and meaningful learning experiences.
Instructional Programs
- In-School Residencies: Sequential, standards-based Hip Hop/Street Dance instruction integrating cultural learning, SEL, creative expression, and choreography, culminating in a student performance.
- Expanded Learning Dance Program: Play-centered dance enrichment emphasizing freestyle, creativity, confidence, belonging, and positive peer connections.
- Collaborative Planning: Customized planning to align curriculum, scheduling, student needs, program goals, and culminating activities.
Assemblies & Performance Experiences
- SPIRIT of Hip Hop (Most Popular): An interactive cultural arts assembly featuring professional dancers, a live MC, and DJ, celebrating Hip Hop history, movement, and foundational values.
- H.O.P.E. Theatrical Dance Show: An arts-integrated theatrical performance exploring hope, friendship, resilience, and emotional literacy through storytelling and dance.
- Dance with the PROS: An interactive experience where students learn and perform alongside professional artists while developing confidence, collaboration, and college/career awareness.
Professional Development
- EmpowerED: Hip Hop & Arts Integration: Hands-on professional learning that equips educators with culturally sustaining, standards-based movement, SEL, composition, and inclusive teaching strategies. Includes customized planning and a digital lesson resource.
Family & Community Engagement
- Family Night: Hip Hop Celebration: An interactive celebration bringing students, families, and school staff together through Hip Hop dance, music, and movement. When paired with a residency, students can showcase their learning.
Comprehensive School Partnerships
- Hip Hop Connections: In-School: Combines a SPIRIT of Hip Hop assembly, 10 weeks of sequential instruction for 3 classes, collaborative planning, and a Family Night celebration.
- Hip Hop Connections: Expanded Learning: Combines a SPIRIT of Hip Hop assembly, 10 weeks of expanded learning instruction for 2 classes, collaborative planning, and a Family Night celebration.
- Both partnership models follow the INSPIRE → LEARN → CONNECT framework, creating a pathway from schoolwide cultural engagement to sustained student learning and meaningful family and community connection.