About Rise Up School of Dance
We believe dance is for everyone—every shape, every story, every background. On Salt Lake City’s West Side, we’ve built a community where financial barriers disappear, diversity is celebrated, and every dancer is seen as capable and valuable. At Rise Up School of Dance, our students learn not just how to grow in their dance abilities, but holistically as humans. We place the health and wholeness of the dancer above perfectionism, knowing that strong, confident people make the most beautiful art.
What We Do
Teach dance six days a week through our studio, outreach programs, and partnerships with local schools, serving ages 3 through adult.
Create original dance productions that inspire personal growth and character development, shared free of charge with our West Side community.
Educate dancers in nutrition, mental health, injury prevention, conflict resolution, anatomy, and leadership through wellness classes and mentorship.
Offer unlimited need-based scholarships so every dancer, regardless of background, can experience the joy and opportunity of dance.
Pioneer high-quality ballet training that places the dancer’s wellbeing above all else, helping them grow into healthy, well-rounded people as well as exceptional artists.
Our Story
Our Beginnings
Rise Up School of Dance was founded in 2015 by Alyssa Ruesch with the mission of making ballet accessible to all children, inspired by her own experience as a dance scholarship recipient. Originally established as Kid’s Community Ballet offering free neighborhood classes, the program has grown into a thriving school that now trains dancers six days a week.
Continuing the Mission
Now led by Executive Director Heidi Cowan, Rise Up School of Dance remains deeply committed to breaking down financial and cultural barriers on Salt Lake City’s West Side. By prioritizing accessibility and community connection, RUSD fosters a welcoming and inclusive space where dancers of all backgrounds are encouraged to grow, thrive, and reach their full potential.
Non-Profit Information
Rise Up School of Dance is 501c3 nonprofit organization.
Legal Name: Rise Up School of Dance
EIN: 82-2467498
Mailing Address: 3545 W. Pawnee St. WVC, UT 84119
Physical Address: 510 W. 200 N. SLC UT 84116
Contact: Heidi Cowan (Executive Director) 801-613-1343, heidi@riseupschoolofdance.com.
Thanks to community partners, grants, foundations and friends we are able to offer unlimited, noncompetitive scholarship for all students with financial need! In addition, we provide free new-to-you dancewear through Swap Shop, our dancewear donation and exchange program to all RUSD students.
We are proud to have dancers of every color, body type and family background dancing at Rise Up School of Dance, and to provide youth and adults in Salt Lake City with a studio that sees, knows and loves them.