When co-founders Nanette Robinson and Nancy Mellan opened ZUZI! Dance in 1999, their mission was to make dance accessible to everyone across all ages, ability level and experience. For Robinson, the studio has guided students to find their unique voice through the universal language of movement since its inception. 

“Our vision was to allow anyone who wanted to experience movement to enter our doors and to tap into that power and that language of movement through their own lens and their own uniqueness,” the co-founder said. “There’s a lot to the organization because it’s been around for so long and that mission has never changed.”

ZUZI! Dance is a nonprofit organization which invites everyone in the community to explore the art of dance and movement. The studio teaches various styles of dance, including aerial, improvisation and modern dance technique. According to Robinson, one of the aspects that makes ZUZI stand out against other studios is the inclusion of various somatic movement programs with the dance as well. One of the options is a class focused on the Skinner Releasing Technique, which Robinson teaches. She explained that the technique, which she was trained in nearly 30 years ago, is about expanded postural awareness, focusing on deep imagery.

Additionally, Robinson offers another course on a technique she said she created called Lucid Movements

“It’s something I created out of my years of practice with mentors in my life,” she said. “It’s a form of a particular somatic movement study — which includes mindfulness practice, you can have bursts of spontaneity in your movement and there’s a gentle connection with others.

“What’s really important is it’s in a safe, nurturing environment, so you can show your true, authentic self through movement.”

The dance instructor added that while Lucid Movement isn’t necessarily a form of therapy, it allows participants to release old patterns that do not serve the body or otherwise let go of emotions from difficult experiences.  

In addition to offering various educational dance experiences, ZUZI also hosts various performances throughout the year. The studio is currently preparing for its No Frills Dance Happenin’ on March 8 at The sYnapse at Studio Y — a gathering ZUZI has hosted for 26 years.  Robinson described the event as an informal recital, featuring community performances of works in progress or finished pieces. Independent artists and schools alike, Robinson said, are invited to participate in the evening of diverse art forms within the studio space. 

On April 26, ZUZI is also hosting its show “Frida Kahlo: Blood and Gold” in partnership with the Tucson Botanical Gardens — celebrating the gardens’ procurement of the Frida Kahlo exhibit. Later this year in June, the studio has also scheduled its Full Circle Dance Summer Performance, located in the Historic Y Scoundrel and Scamp theater — the original ZUZI theater.   

As a nonprofit dance studio, ZUZI’s courses, operations, instructors and performances are supported by donations and ticket sales. Robinson explained that payment for the studio’s programs are on a sliding scale so that no one is turned away and pays what they can — with the exception of the aerial dance courses. To further support accessibility to its programs, ZUZI also offers scholarships as well. The nonprofit organization, the co-founder said, also recently received a Grant that will be used to pay teachers and performers, as well as support the studio’s efforts. 

For Robinson, dance is an art form that invites healing into the body. 

“Dance, for me, is to be physically engaged in a group of like-minded people through the language of movement and it’s a way for me to heal,” she said. “I believe that as long as you keep moving, you’re moving the energy and you are staying healthy.

“It was a dream to be able to collaborate with all these different artists and to find these moments of beauty in the simple things we share — I’m very grateful to still be in this space of teaching and choreographing.” 

No Frills Dance Happenin’

WHEN: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 8

WHERE: The sYnapse at Studio Y, 650 N. 6th Avenue, Tucson
COST: $12

INFO: zuzimoveit.org