ZUZI! Dance Studio Celebrates 26 Years of Bringing Movement to Tucson Community

Nonprofit dance studio offers diverse classes and performances to make dance accessible for all ages and abilities.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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ZUZI! Dance, a nonprofit dance studio in Tucson, Arizona, was founded in 1999 by co-founders Nanette Robinson and Nancy Mellan with the mission of making dance accessible to everyone in the community. The studio offers a variety of dance styles including aerial, improvisation, and modern dance, as well as somatic movement programs like the Skinner Releasing Technique and Lucid Movements. In addition to educational dance experiences, ZUZI! also hosts several performances throughout the year, including the upcoming No Frills Dance Happenin' on March 8 and the Frida Kahlo: Blood and Gold show in partnership with the Tucson Botanical Gardens on April 26.

Why it matters

ZUZI! Dance's commitment to inclusion and accessibility in the arts is notable, as the studio operates on a sliding scale payment model and offers scholarships to ensure no one is turned away due to financial constraints. As a long-standing nonprofit in the Tucson community, ZUZI! has provided a space for diverse artists and community members to explore movement and creativity for over 25 years.

The details

ZUZI! Dance offers a range of dance styles and somatic movement programs, including aerial, improvisation, modern dance technique, the Skinner Releasing Technique, and a proprietary method called Lucid Movements. The studio's co-founder, Nanette Robinson, explains that Lucid Movements combines mindfulness practice, spontaneity, and gentle connection with others in a safe, nurturing environment. In addition to educational classes, ZUZI! also hosts several annual performances, such as the No Frills Dance Happenin' recital, the Frida Kahlo-inspired show, and the Full Circle Dance Summer Performance.

  • ZUZI! Dance was founded in 1999.
  • The No Frills Dance Happenin' is scheduled for March 8, 2026.
  • The Frida Kahlo: Blood and Gold show is scheduled for April 26, 2026.
  • The Full Circle Dance Summer Performance is scheduled for June 2026.

The players

Nanette Robinson

Co-founder of ZUZI! Dance and instructor of the Skinner Releasing Technique and Lucid Movements programs.

Nancy Mellan

Co-founder of ZUZI! Dance.

ZUZI! Dance

A nonprofit dance studio in Tucson, Arizona, founded in 1999 with the mission of making dance accessible to the community.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Nanette Robinson, Co-founder, ZUZI! Dance (Tucson Weekly)

“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.”

— Nanette Robinson, Co-founder, ZUZI! Dance (Tucson Weekly)

“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. I believe that as long as you keep moving, you're moving the energy and you are staying healthy.”

— Nanette Robinson, Co-founder, ZUZI! Dance (Tucson Weekly)

What’s next

ZUZI! Dance is preparing for its upcoming No Frills Dance Happenin' on March 8, 2026, which will feature community performances of works in progress and finished pieces.

The takeaway

ZUZI! Dance's commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and community-driven programming has allowed the nonprofit studio to thrive for over 25 years, providing a space for diverse artists and movement enthusiasts to explore the healing power of dance in Tucson.