Umoja Dance Studio

Umoja dance studio is the home of Umoja and Usaama dance companies. The studio offers dance,fitess and drum classes for all ages children to adult. Visit our website for the schedule of classes.

KAREN LOVE, FOUNDER/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Born in Montclair, Love earned her MFA from New York University Tisch School of the Arts and her B.F.A. from Montclair State University where she was awarded the 1992 Excellence in Choreography Award and the 1993 Senior Award. She received The New Jersey State Council on the Arts Fellowship Grant in 1995 and the Harkness Choreographers Space Grant at SUNY Purchase in 1993 and 1994. In 1997, Love was invited to The Bates Dance Festival in Maine as an Emerging Choreographer and later returned to teach for the Young Dancers Program. She was selected as a choreographer for the Choreographer/Dancer residency at the Yard on Martha's Vineyard, recognized in Who’s Who Among American Teacher’s and was honored as one of the "50 Women You Should Know in Montclair, NJ". Love received the New Jersey State Council on the Arts 2023 Individual Artist Fellowship. She was one of the 96 artists selected from 635 eligible participants.

Presently, Love is the director of the dance program at Hillside High School, director of the after school dance program for Hillside Public Schools district and an adjunct professor at Montclair State University. Love is a Certified Pilates Mat Instructor and certified 300 RYT yoga teacher registered with Yoga Alliance. Love is the Vice President of DanceNJ Executive Board and NJPAC Dance Advisory Co-Chair.

UMOJA DANCE COMPANY

Umoja Dance Company was founded in 1993 by Karen L. Love during her senior year as a BFA Dance Major at Montclair State University.  Umoja serves as a vehicle to educate, preserve and present dance as a communal and spiritual expression of life. Umoja creates a nurturing environment that encourages cross-cultural exchange and celebrates the versatility of the body and mind. Umoja, the Kiswahili word for “Unity.” continues to adapt aspects of African culture, aesthetics and contemporary modern dance. Umoja reflects the evolution of uniting the mind, body and spirit. Umoja celebrated 30years of dance in June 2023 at Montclair State University.

USAAMA DANCE COMPANY

USAAMA, meaning “precious” in Swahili, is a pre-professional performing youth company founded in 1995 that strives to give today's youth a sense of pride, culture, and knowledge through dance. The company has been designed to help introduce inspiring young dancers into the world of dance, performing and assisting in developing self-esteem, self-respect and respect for the arts. The company encourages respect for our elders and the community. The dancers are exposed to professional artists and performing venues so they can learn the discipline required of all artists.

UMOJA DANCE STUDIO

Umoja studio opened in 2012 in Vauxhall, NJ. The studio offers classes in dance, fitness, drumming, yoga and capoeira. Classes are for ages 4 to adult. The studio is available for rental: rehearsal, class, parties, showers, photshoots etc.