Danceworks
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersMurfreesboro, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
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.
Danceworks firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Danceworks industry classification
Industry- 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
Where Danceworks is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Murfreesboro
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Danceworks business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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).
- Performance Tickets: Revenue from ticket sales for concerts and performances including Rhythmworks, Danceworks On Tap, DanceLAB series, and various company showcases.
- Philanthropy and Donations: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and planned giving. The organization relies on community support to provide scholarships and outreach programming.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Dancer sponsorships (minimum $3,000), school program sponsorships (minimum $6,000), and concert sponsorships (minimum $10,000).
- Merchandise Sales: Danceworks branded merchandise sold through Bonfire online store including apparel and swag.
- Studio Rentals: Revenue from renting studio space to other organizations and individuals for classes, rehearsals, and events.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Member of Danceworks - $60/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Class Enthusiast - $120/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Beyond the Stage - $240/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Concert Lover - $500/year |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels8 records
Danceworks product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use Danceworks
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Danceworks technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Danceworks partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Milwaukee Youth Arts Center (MYAC)coreDanceworks 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 TheatreflagshipOngoing 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)coreCollaboration 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 WisconsincoreEchoes 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 NowminorCollaboration for Terra Papagalli production featuring rarely heard Baroque music from colonial Brazil, presented with original choreography by Danceworks Performance MKE.
- Aperi AnimamminorCollaboration for Terra Papagalli and previous productions including Dixit Dominus and Cantos with Aperi Animam, blending choral music with contemporary dance.
- Making Music Vocal ArtsminorFeatured guest for winter performances including A Winter's Tale and Once Upon a Snowfall, combining dance with vocal arts performances.
- Deer District BID 53coreRhythm 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 UniversitycoreDance 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 OrchestraminorCollaboration for Echoes of Hope performance featuring Wisconsin Intergenerational Orchestra alongside Danceworks Performance MKE dancers.
- Gute Freynt Klezmer BandminorCollaboration for Echoes of Hope performance featuring live Klezmer music accompaniment alongside dance performance.
- Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center (JCC)coreSatellite 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
Danceworks competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
Danceworks social profiles
Digital presenceDanceworks compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Danceworks financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Danceworks leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Danceworks subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries6 records
Danceworks funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Danceworks M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Danceworks
What does Danceworks do?
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.
Is Danceworks a public or private company?
Danceworks is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Danceworks founded?
Danceworks was founded in 1992. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Danceworks based?
Danceworks is headquartered in Murfreesboro, United States, in the North America region.
How does Danceworks make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Program Revenue (Classes and Tuition) is the primary driver. The others are membership Program, performance Tickets, philanthropy and Donations, corporate Sponsorships, merchandise Sales and studio Rentals.
Who are Danceworks's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Milwaukee Ballet, First Stage, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Mark Morris Dance Group, Giordano Dance Chicago, Luna Dance Institute and Alonzo King LINES Ballet. National Dance Institute is listed as an emerging player. Florentine Opera is listed as a regional player. Boston Ballet is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Danceworks have an API?
No public API is recorded for Danceworks.
What industry is Danceworks in?
Danceworks's product category is Performing Arts Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAAAH, Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance), with a secondary code of MPAGADAH, Dance Competitions & Showcases (Non-Esports). Its NAICS code is 61161 and its SIC code is 8200.