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 Audition Dates
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
UGK Audition Process
Step 1: Review the UGK Information Packet
Before registering, please carefully review the UGK information packet to understand team expectations, time commitments, summer requirements, and financial details.
Step 2: Register for Auditions
Complete your dancer’s audition registration using the audition registration link provided on this page.
Step 3: Register for the Required Innovate Intensive
All dancers auditioning for UGK (except Lil’ GROOVES) must also register for the required Innovate Intensive, which is an important part of the placement process.
Step 4: Attend the Company Info Meeting
Families are encouraged to attend the Company Info Meeting to meet directors, ask questions, and learn more about Elevate. More Details & RSVP HERE.
Step 5: Submit the Audition Application
The audition application will be posted on this page on or before April 11. Please complete it thoughtfully, as it helps directors get to know your dancer.
Step 6: Attend Innovate & Auditions
Dancers should arrive 15 minutes early for check-in and warm-up, dressed in performance-ready hip hop attire. During auditions, dancers will learn a short combo, perform in groups, and freestyle.
Step 7: Await Placement Results
After auditions are complete, directors will review all dancers and families will receive placement information and next steps.
INNOVATE Hip Hop Intensive
The INNOVATE Intensive is a required training experience for all dancers ages 9+ who plan to audition for UGK Company.
This intensive is designed to help dancers grow their artistry, refine their technique, and step into the best version of themselves — both as dancers and as humans. Rather than evaluating dancers in a short audition block alone, INNOVATE allows our directors to observe work ethic, performance quality, retention skills, collaboration, and overall readiness in a focused, high-energy training environment.
UGK Company Directors will be in attendance throughout the intensive in preparation for team placement. Dancers will also learn a short combination during INNOVATE that will be performed at their audition on May 29th.
REGISTER FOR INNOVATE BELOW! (One Day drop-in available.)
UGK 2026-27 Audition Registration Links & What to Expect
After having pre-registered, dancers should plan to arrive at the studio no less than 15 minutes before their audition time, to check in, complete any remaining paperwork (an application should be fully completed ahead of time – please fill out thoughtfully so we can get to know your dancer), and to warm up. Dancers should wear their best hip hop attire to auditions. Light makeup and hair accessories are acceptable. Dancers will learn a short combo, and will be asked to freestyle, as part of their audition. 3:45pm – Check in/warm up 4:00-5:00pm – Learn combo and dance in groups 5:00pm – Parent Pick-up *Lil’ GROOVES do not need to attend Innovate Audition Intensive*
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
