Danceworks

What Danceworks does

Danceworks, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dance organization founded in 1992 and headquartered at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center (325 W. Walnut St., Milwaukee, WI). The organization delivers dance education, professional performance, and community outreach programs serving over 55,000 youth and adults annually across the Milwaukee metro area and broader Midwest. Its core offerings span four resident performance companies (Danceworks Performance MKE, Danceworks On Tap, Danceworks Youth Performance Company, and Danceworks Intergenerational Performance Company), studio classes across multiple dance styles for youth and adults, and outreach programs including Mad Hot Rhythm (in-school instruction across 48 classrooms in 38 schools), Emoji Yogi, Generations (intergenerational arts with seniors in memory care), and Dance for MS (partnered with Marquette University).

The organization operates a diversified nonprofit revenue model with approximately 60% of revenue derived from programs — studio classes and tuition, performance tickets, tiered memberships ($60-$500 annually), studio rentals, and merchandise — and the remainder from philanthropy, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants. Pricing includes minimum sponsorship levels of $3,000 (dancer), $6,000 (school program), and $10,000 (concert). The technology stack is commodity SaaS: Mindbody for class registration and student management, Arts People for ticketing, and Bonfire for merchandise e-commerce, with no proprietary technology or AI capabilities.

Following a $300,000 operating deficit driven by decreased arts funding, partner instability, rent increases, and studio flooding, Danceworks underwent financial restructuring and leadership transition in 2024 after the passing of founder Amy Brinkman-Sustache. Dr. Julieane Cook was appointed Executive Director; Gina Laurenzi and Christal Wagner were elevated to co-Artistic Directors; and founder's daughter Gabi Sustache-Turner was promoted to Studio Education Director. The organization maintains 75+ community partnerships including United Performing Arts Fund (its largest single funder at $100,000+ between Sept 2023-Aug 2024), Bader Philanthropies, and Marquette University, and continues to expand programming with multiple new productions scheduled through 2026.

Name

Danceworks

Legal name

Danceworks, Inc.

Website

https://danceworksmke.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Danceworks is a Milwaukee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dance organization founded in 1992 operating four performance companies, studio classes, and outreach programs that serve 55,000+ youth, adults, and seniors annually across the Milwaukee metro and broader Midwest.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Dance Companies (71112), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dance Competitions & Showcases (Non-Esports) (MPAGADAH), Dance Festivals & Dance Series (MPAGADAJ), Dance Performances (THAJAFAD), Performing Arts Camps (Theater, Musical Theater, Dance) (EDAMALAI)

Keywords

• Dance education
• Community dance programs
• Performing arts classes
• Youth dance outreach
• Professional dance company

Headquarters

HQ city

Murfreesboro

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Revenue (Classes and Tuition): Revenue from studio classes, summer camps, workshops, and performance company participation fees. Youth and adult classes are offered at various price points with session-based and drop-in options. The organization reports that almost 60% of revenue comes directly from programs.
2. Membership Program: Annual membership tiers offering free classes, ticket discounts, exclusive receptions, and premiere seating benefits. Tiers range from $60/year (Member) to $500/year (Concert Lover).
3. Performance Tickets: Revenue from ticket sales for concerts and performances including Rhythmworks, Danceworks On Tap, DanceLAB series, and various company showcases.
4. Philanthropy and Donations: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and planned giving. The organization relies on community support to provide scholarships and outreach programming.
5. Corporate Sponsorships: Dancer sponsorships (minimum $3,000), school program sponsorships (minimum $6,000), and concert sponsorships (minimum $10,000).
6. Merchandise Sales: Danceworks branded merchandise sold through Bonfire online store including apparel and swag.
7. Studio Rentals: Revenue from renting studio space to other organizations and individuals for classes, rehearsals, and events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Danceworks provides studio dance instruction, four performance companies, and community outreach programming including in-school dance residencies and intergenerational arts. Approximately 60% of revenue comes from program tuition and class fees, supplemented by memberships, ticket sales, merchandise, corporate sponsorships, and philanthropic donations. The organization operates from the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center with satellite classes at the JCC, serving 55,000+ youth and adults annually.

Product overview

Danceworks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dance organization founded in 1992 offering a comprehensive portfolio of dance education and performance services. The core offerings include Studio Classes for youth and adults across multiple dance styles (ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, hip hop, K-pop, musical theatre, ballroom, African dance), and four Performance Companies (Danceworks Performance MKE for professional dancers, Danceworks On Tap for tap ensemble, Danceworks Youth Performance Company for ages 7-18, and Danceworks Intergenerational Performance Company for multi-generational community dancers). Community Outreach Programs include Mad Hot Rhythm (in-school dance education with competition), Emoji Yogi (yoga for K5-1st grade), Generations (intergenerational arts for seniors), and Art for MS (dance for Multiple Sclerosis patients). The organization operates a tiered Membership Program, offers Summer Camps, Private Lessons, Studio Rentals, and produces seasonal concerts through DanceLAB including Rhythmworks and Get It Out There series.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Studio Dance Classes

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves 55,000+ youth and adults annually through performances, studio classes, and community programming
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Milwaukee Youth Arts Center (MYAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDanceworks operates as a Proud Partner of Milwaukee Youth Arts Center at 325 W. Walnut St., where the organization is headquartered and delivers much of its programming including classes, workshops, and performances.
• Milwaukee Opera TheatreflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration producing opera-dance hybrid performances. The two companies have collaborated on 8 productions including Rusalka, combining singing in Czech, speaking in English, and dancing in contemporary movement.
• Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for Fables from the Wide Sky performance featuring live accompaniment by MYSO musicians. Special collaboration between Cuauhtli Ramirez Castro and MYSO bringing 'Huapango' by José Pablo Moncayo García to life through song and dance.
• Violins of Hope WisconsincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEchoes of Hope collaboration featuring performances exploring Holocaust-era musicians and their instruments. Danceworks Performance MKE worked with Violins of Hope Wisconsin to create an entire concert of world premiere works honoring resilience of Holocaust-era musicians.
• Early Music NowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for Terra Papagalli production featuring rarely heard Baroque music from colonial Brazil, presented with original choreography by Danceworks Performance MKE.
• Aperi AnimamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for Terra Papagalli and previous productions including Dixit Dominus and Cantos with Aperi Animam, blending choral music with contemporary dance.
• Making Music Vocal ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured guest for winter performances including A Winter's Tale and Once Upon a Snowfall, combining dance with vocal arts performances.
• Deer District BID 53coreGTM or Marketing PartnerRhythm In The District partnership presenting free outdoor dance classes in downtown Milwaukee from June 6 through September 19. Classes feature local artists teaching various styles including KPop, Salsa, Line Dance, and Poms/Jazz.
• Marquette UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDance for MS research collaboration with Alex Ng, PhD from Exercise Science Program. Research showed benefits of partnered social dance for people with Multiple Sclerosis. Danceworks provides space and instruction for ongoing programming and classes.
• Wisconsin Intergenerational OrchestraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for Echoes of Hope performance featuring Wisconsin Intergenerational Orchestra alongside Danceworks Performance MKE dancers.
• Gute Freynt Klezmer BandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for Echoes of Hope performance featuring live Klezmer music accompaniment alongside dance performance.
• Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center (JCC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSatellite location partner hosting Danceworks classes and programs at JCC facility in Whitefish Bay, expanding access to dance education in the North Shore community.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Milwaukee Ballet: Milwaukee's largest professional ballet company with parallel mission combining performance, school, and community education programming (including Ballet in Schools). Comparable as a Milwaukee-based dance nonprofit blending ticketed performances with broad outreach programming.
• First Stage: Milwaukee-based children's theater company with academy and outreach programming. Comparable as a regional performing arts nonprofit serving youth with educational mission and access-focused community programming.
• Hubbard Street Dance Chicago: Midwest professional contemporary dance company with robust education and community programs including dance center classes. Comparable as a regional professional dance company with parallel revenue mix of performances, school, and outreach.
• Mark Morris Dance Group: Major dance nonprofit combining professional company, school, and community programs including Dance for PD (Parkinson's). Closest national analog to Danceworks' performance + school + community access mission, especially the Dance for MS parallel.
• Giordano Dance Chicago: Chicago-based jazz dance company with strong school and outreach programming. Comparable as a Midwest professional dance company blending ticketed performances with educational and community engagement.
• Luna Dance Institute: Berkeley-based dance education nonprofit focused on school-based creative dance and equity. Comparable as a mission-driven dance nonprofit prioritizing access, with school residency model (Mad Hot Rhythm parallel) rather than large performance companies.
• Alonzo King LINES Ballet: San Francisco dance company with parallel professional company + education + community programming structure. Comparable as a professional contemporary dance nonprofit blending performances with educational outreach.

Emerging players

• National Dance Institute: New York-based nonprofit focused on school-based dance education for children. Strongly comparable to Danceworks' Mad Hot Rhythm model, with similar mission of bringing dance into schools serving under-resourced communities.

Regional players

• Florentine Opera: Milwaukee-based professional opera company with education and outreach programming. Comparable as a Milwaukee performing arts nonprofit with parallel education/outreach model (though focused on opera rather than dance).

Broad incumbents

• Boston Ballet: Major U.S. dance company with extensive school, education, and community programs including CityDance and Adaptive Dance. Comparable as a scaled version of Danceworks' professional company + school + community mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@danceworksinc.4970/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/danceworksmke
• Instagraminstagram.com/danceworksmke
• Xx.com/danceworksmke

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Danceworks