UGK at Balance Dance Studios
Austin’s Home for Youth Hip Hop & Street Style
UGK is a competitive youth hip hop and street-style crew at Balance Dance Studios. Directed by Haley Sikes, UGK trains dancers to be entertaining performers, while growing teamwork skills. The team performs at various events, competitions, and dance conventions across Texas, and holds many prestigious titles, including World of Dance Houston Junior 3rd Place Champions and 8 National Talent Ultim8 Studio. For dancers ages 6-18, UGK focuses on building the youth community in Austin, and exposing more kids to hip hop and street culture.
Are you interested in joining UGK for the 2026-2027 season? Email UGK@balancedancestudios.com to learn more.
UGK 2026-27 Audition Information
Innovate Hip Hop Intensive (Mandatory for Ages 9–18) | May 26–28
Ages 9–11 – UNITE + UNITEpro | May 26–28 | 4:00–7:00 PM
Ages 12–14 – KONNECT + KONNECTpro | May 26–28 | 5:00–8:00 PM
Ages 14+ – VELOCITY + VELOCITYpro | May 26–28 | 6:00–9:30 PM
UGK Auditions | May 29
Ages 9–18 must attend INNOVATE Intensive
Ages 6–8 – Lil’ GROOVES | May 29 | 4:00 PM-5:00 PM
Ages 9–11 – UNITE + UNITEpro | May 29 | 5:00 PM-6:30 PM
Ages 12–14 – KONNECT + KONNECTpro | May 29 | 6:30–8:00 PM
Ages 14+ – VELOCITY + VELOCITYpro | May 29 | 8:00–9:30 PM
UGK Meetings | May 31
At least one parent and one dancer must attend the applicable meeting.
Lil’ GROOVES, UNITE, KONNECT | May 31 | 2:00 PM
UNITEpro, KONNECTpro, VELOCITY, VELOCITYpro, PROline | May 31 | 3:30 PM
UGKplus | May 31 | 4:30 PM
What Makes UGK Different
UGK is designed for dancers who love hip hop culture and want their training to feel intentional, current, and BOLD. The focus is on entertainment, performance quality, growth, and teamwork – not just steps.
Through training and team collaboration, dancers learn how to:
- Perform with confidence and personality
- Pick up choreography quickly and retain movement
- Work as a unified crew while still standing out individually
- Understand musicality, texture, and performance dynamics
- Show up prepared, focused, and motivated
This is a space where dancers are challenged, supported, and encouraged to be fully themselves.
Performance & Competitive Experience
UGK dancers gain real-world performance experience throughout the season. The team performs at community events, hip hop dance conventions, and competes at 3 to 4 local competitions, giving dancers the opportunity to grow under pressure, celebrate wins together, and learn from every experience.
These opportunities help dancers:
- Build confidence in front of large audiences
- Develop resilience and work ethic
- Learn professionalism, accountability, and commitment
- Experience the excitement of being part of a respected, high-energy crew
Parents often see growth not just in dance ability, but in focus, maturity, confidence, and teamwork.
A Strong Youth Community
UGK is more than a dance team — it’s a community. Dancers form meaningful connections with teammates across ages and experience levels, creating a supportive environment where everyone is encouraged to grow.
This sense of belonging is especially powerful for kids and teens, giving them:
- Positive peer relationships
- A creative outlet rooted in culture and movement
- A team that celebrates effort, individuality, and progress
UGK helps dancers find their voice, on stage and off.
Who UGK Is For
UGK is a great fit for dancers ages 6–18 who:
- Love hip hop and street-style movement
- Enjoy performing and being on stage
- Want to grow in confidence, style, and performance quality
- Thrive in a team-based, high-energy environment
Whether your dancer is newer to competitive hip hop or ready to push themselves further, UGK offers a place to grow with purpose.
Unite. Groove. Konnect.
UGK Director
