OUR STORY
UDC was conceived from my desire to live in a place that I LOVED but didn’t yet provide the quality and proximity to the professional industry I was used to. After years of living in both New York and California, I’ve acquired the ability to connect local emerging talent to industry professionals to pursue a career in dance. It is equally important to me to be able to introduce the beginner to dance too and watch as they fall in love with the art, as it is to provide a launching pad for pre-professionals. After 13 years of owning UDC I’ve found that I' am the most proud of the community of dancers that has been equally built from our young dreamers of stardom, to our occasional student just taking classes for fun. We hope that your family feels like UDC is a home away from home no matter your level or future aspirations. ~ Sarah Cover
Sarah Cover
Owner and founder of UDC, has a long history of success within the commercial dance industry. Sarah Cover started dancing ballet and jazz at age 4 in Burlington, Vermont. After moving to California in 8th grade, she had her first introduction to hip hop music and has not looked back since. That hip-hop class was where she found her passion. Although she knew she loved hip hop, she continued to train in traditional styles until moving to Brooklyn and immersing herself in the hip hop industry. While in Brooklyn, she was able to collaborate with Wu Tang Clan’s Killa Priest, MOP, and Swizz Beats. After spending time in LA in 2005, Sarah decided her heart was in Vermont and moved back to produce the hip hop experiences that her home state was missing. That return trip home is responsible for both Urban Reach Dance Convention and Urban Dance Complex, both founded in 2006. Since its inception Urban Dance Complex has gained a reputation in the dance industry as a hub for up and coming professional talent. Many of her students have become professional dancers in New York and LA, working with the likes of Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson, Justin Bieber, Sofia Reyes, and Jason Derulo, to name a few. She looks to these dancers as inspiration for the UDC community.
Teaching Staff
Rose Bedard
Rose has just completed another successful year at the Urban Dance Complex where she teaches and mentors companies' B and B Elite. She is the coach of the Mt.Mansfield Union dance team who has won four jazz and hip hop championships in the Vermont Northern Athletic Conference and also just collected their 6th state championship titles in hip hop and 2nd state championship title in jazz. Her team also went on to be placed in the top 5 in both hip hop and jazz at the New England level for the third year in a row. She has volunteered her expertise for Rice Memorial High School’s Stunt Night, BFA St.Albans' "Mr.Bobwhite and Ms. Comet" senior scholarship contest, Miss Vermont Scholarship Pageant and other local schools and events.
Sofia Wolak
Sofia Wolak joined the UDC family in 2013 after spending 8 years as a competitive gymnast. After high school in 2017 Sofia moved to New York City and received a degree in Fashion Business while also training at Broadway Dance Center, Brickhouse, and Peridance Capezio Center. In Fall of 2019 she spent the semester focusing on her dance training in NYC. She is now back in Vermont teaching and is excited to get to share her knowledge with her students!
Jennifer Ruest
Jennifer Ruest is originally from Connecticut. Jen started teaching dance when she was a sophomore in high school. She is a graduate of Eastern Conn. State University with a major in Fine Arts and a minor in dance. Jen attended The Hartford Conservatory where she obtained a Dance Pedagogy teaching certificate. She danced in two companies, a tap company and a hip hop/ modern company. Jen eventually had to choose between the two and the tap journey began. She considers herself lucky to have trained with and opened shows for many old school tapers. Living in CT made it convenient to travel to Boston and NYC for shows. She began also traveling up to Stowe VT and in 2003 Jen was introduced to the Stowe Dance Academy, she proceeded to teach dance there for 10 years. Let’s hit the floor!
Emma Anderson
Emma Anderson is an 19 year old graduate of Champlain Valley Union High School. She graduated in 3 years and now attends Saint Michael’s College working towards a Dual Bachelors Degree in History and Equity Studies. She has been dancing at Unity Dance Complex for 12 years and was apart of the performing company for 10. While her favorite styles are Hip Hop and Broadway Jazz Emma has trained in Tap, Contemporary, Jazz Funk and more. She has recently found a passion for teaching, and loves to spread her love of dance to a younger generation of dancers. Emma recently played the role of Roxie in UDC’s Chicago.
Ally Clos
Ally Clos started dancing when she was 6 years old, and started dancing at UDC at age 9 shortly after moving to Vermont. This is Ally’s ninth year at UDC and her sixth year performing in Company, and she is a member of the Pre Professionals company. Ally’s favorite styles of dance include Hip Hop and Jazz Funk, but she has also trained in Contemporary, Broadway Jazz, and Ballet. She has been extremely lucky to get the opportunity to train in Los Angeles this past year with some of her other Company members, and has recently found a new passion for teaching! This year, she has been teaching dancers ages 8-15 in styles of Hip Hop and Jazz Funk.
Julia Hunt
Julia Hunt is 17 years old and a senior at CVU. She has been dancing at UDC for 11 years and has been the performing company for 9, she is currently in the Pre Professionals group. Julia is very grateful to be able to travel with UDC and train in Los Angeles. While her favorite styles include Jazz Funk and Hip Hop, she is also trained in tap, contemporary and jazz
Catherine Saladino
Catherine Saladino is a Junior at CVU and has been dancing for 9 years, 8 of them at UDC. She is in the pre professional program, and spends every day of the week taking classes at the studio. Catherine focuses most on jazz funk, however, she has training in ballet, contemporary, lyrical, tap, and hip hop. She has quickly found a passion for expressing herself through dance.
Teachers Assistants
Angelina Seidita
Angelina Seidita is 15 years old and a sophomore at CVU. She has been dancing for 13 years and has been taking classes at UDC for 8 years. Some of her favorites are Hip Hop, Jazz Funk, and Broadway Jazz! She’s so thrilled to be assisting classes this year, and can’t wait to see what 2023 has in store for UDC!
Bella Gordon
Bella Gordon is 15 years old and a sophomore at South Burlington High School. Bella is starting her 10th at UDC. Her favorite styles are Jazz Funk, Broadway Jazz, and Hip Hop. Bella is super excited for this year at UDC, and cant wait to start assisting classes.
Olivia Sands
Olivia Sands is a student at t U-32 High School. She has been dancing for 13 years and this is her third year at UDC. Olivia is a current member of the Performing Companies. While her favorite styles are hip hop and jazz funk she has also trained in ballet, contemporary and tap. Olivia was most recently involved in UDC’s Performing Companies rendition of Chicago! She is excited to be apart of the teaching staff at UDC this year where she will be able to work with a larger variety of students and age groups.