UPside Dance Company is a contemporary dance company directed by  Tanya Knippelmeir.   UPside Dance is known for presenting innovative choreography in unconventional spaces since 2012. The Company is composed of professional dancers living in Sonoma County who bring their worldwide dance experience and multitude of dynamic talents to the stages, streets, and hillsides of Northern California.

UPside Teaches Int/Advanced level technique and company class to the public- Join us for a joyful, soulful, invigorating class that will introduce UPside’s infectious and delightfully challenging contemporary moves.   Please see our Adult Classes & Auditions page for more info.

As Dancers, classes introduces dance to those who are curious in a supportive and adventurous environment, creates more performance opportunities for the developing dancer, and fosters collaborations with local designers, artists, and musicians of Northern California and the Bay Area.

UPside has become known for bringing contemporary dance to unconventional spaces and always include an aspect of interactive choreography to their work since 2012.  Kate & Tanya feel that this non-traditional performances bring dance to unpredictable and tangible ways of communicating to new audiences.

The co-directors of UPSide Dance Company, Kate and Tanya, have danced internationally in professional performance groups throughout California, Colorado, New York City, London, and St. Petersburg, Russia. Bringing their beaming optimism back to their roots in Sonoma County, the dynamic duo wishes to collaborate and communicate between the local dance hubs to support the dance community, enhance the artistic talent seen in local theaters, share new ideas, connections, and masterclass opportunities.

FAQ: Why is it Called UPside Dance?

1. The UpSide of Life.
2. Looking at things UpSide Down.
3. Embracing a new and fresh perspective.
4. Sonoma County is Up and to the Side of California.
5. Kate and Tanya, after not seeing each other for 10 years, reunited in a yoga class and were literally ‘UPSIDE down’ when they recognized each other. After class Tanya said, “We should start a dance thing” and Kate replied, “ I was about to say the same thing to you!”… You never know what might happen when you’re upside down, but for Kate and Tanya it was UPside Dance Company. Hence the inspiration for the name!