Jazzy Rankin. Photos: Sarah Dovolos
Living is a dance—flowing from one state to another, stretching through challenges and leaping in triumph. For siblings Ben Madrigal and Tessa Madrigal Gusmer, a shared passion for dance in all stages of life has built an award-winning competitive and recreational dance studio. Now, that program, Urban Dance Productions (UDP), has found a new home in White Bear Lake.
“We are so thankful that we ended up in White Bear Lake,” Tessa says. “We want to create with purpose and give back to the community.”
One of the unique aspects of UDP is its intentionality. Early on, Ben and Tessa decided to choreograph their business like a novel—with infinite chapters and potential. Each year would be a new chapter, with a theme to guide it.
Jaylah Hudy
The duo turned the first page in 2016 when they opened UDP. Both brought years of competitive dance and coaching experience to the table. Ben has a passion for creative entrepreneurship and choreography. Tessa is often referred to as a “child whisperer” and, with a background in special education, has experience meeting dancers where they’re at.
“The chapters were created because we wanted the year to feel like a book. At the end of the season, we close the book, and then re-open it in the new season,” Ben says. “Each year, we choose a word to give motivation and a push when we need it.”
Chapter I was titled Urban Army. “We wanted to signify that we were small but mighty,” Tessa says. As they built up the studio—originally located in Coon Rapids—they held firm to their goals. “We wanted to create this cross-brand studio with a large studio’s big goals and dreams but still keep the smaller niche boutique with an intimate studio setting,” Ben says. Today, with the book open to Chapter IX: Inspire, class sizes are still kept to around 10 to 15 dancers; this allows the studio to really get to know and nurture each dancer.
Urban Dance Productions Chapter VIII Recital at North Saint Paul High School. Photo: Laura Sukowatey
“We set our standards really high for our dancers because of the fact that we know that kids are incredible. We give them a goal. We know that they are going to reach it, meet it and exceed it,” Tessa says.
White Bear Lake sisters Bella and Libby Butters found their way to UDP as young dancers, looking for something new. Their mother, Crystal Butters, says, “We saw the artistry Urban Dance Productions put on stage, and it was phenomenal. And how they all supported each other … it was something my girls wanted to be a part of.”
Libby Butters. Photo: Sarah Dovolos
Beyond the dance aspect of the studio, Ben and Tessa take pride in being coaches as well as dance instructors. “We look at all aspects of the dancer. We do journaling, mental health check-ins and have an open-door policy no matter the topic or time,” Tessa says. “It’s a safe place to be a dance family. We are there for our dancers for all aspects of life, not just dance.”
After joining UDP in 2020, Bella and Libby are now in different stages of their dance journey. Bella is a sophomore at Berklee College of Music in Boston, obtaining her bachelor of fine arts degree in commercial dance. Berklee is one of only two colleges in the country to offer this major, which prepares dancers for industry work in television and film, Broadway or performing on cruise lines and in circus arts. “Tessa and Ben believed in me, and that allowed me to believe in myself and get where I am today,” Bella says.
Photos: Laura Sukowatey
Libby is a senior at White Bear Lake Area High School and has been involved with UDP since 8th grade. “I am so happy to be here for my senior year,” Libby says. As she prepares to graduate in the spring, Ben and Tessa are working with her to figure out her path beyond graduation.
“We work through the big life shifts from losing a tooth, to getting a driver’s license, to choosing a post-high school pathway and even through college graduation and marriage,” Tessa says. “There are so many life shifts that happen through the studio.”
The studio trains dancers in Progressing Ballet Technique, an exercise approach that prioritizes safety and longevity in dancers through a focus on building muscle memory, flexibility and strength. Precompany, recreation-based classes for young dancers include creative movement, basic tumbling, Hip Hop Crew and seasonal Storybook Camps. Offerings to company members include dance intensives and even a two-day Path to Pro workshop to help dancers figure out their post-grad dance plans.
“We provide encouragement that there is life beyond the dance studio. We say to our dancers, ‘Here are your options. What avenue do you want to go down?’” Ben says.
The studio will continue to offer open houses and community classes each month for interested dancers. As Ben and Tessa continue to create, dance, coach and evolve their niche studio, they are staying true to their original mission and keeping their love for dance at the forefront. “The passion part of working together has always been what we want to do,” Ben says.
Urban Dance Productions
3519 Commerce Blvd., White Bear Lake; 763.767.0738
Facebook: Urban Dance Productions
Instagram: @urbandanceproductions
