Let Your Movement Be Outspoken
LAUREN HANNA
OWNER, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, INSTRUCTOR
Lauren Hanna (she/her/hers) is the owner and Creative Director of Dance Out Loud, offering high-quality and meaningful Boston-based recreational adult dance classes to dancers and non-dancers alike. Lauren has been dancing since the age of 5, and began her dance journey in Holyoke, MA at what is now Ohana School for Performing Arts. Her love for dancing grew in her initial technical training in ballet, tap, contemporary, broadway and commercial jazz, which led her to continue dancing throughout college and beyond!
From 2014 - 2022, she was a part of Boston’s Trend N Motion Dance Crew performing across New England and placing 1st at competitions such as Beantown Bounce (2017), Bring Da Hype (2018), and Boston’s Best Dance Crew (2019). Lauren's professional career encompasses work with Shorty C, Jzon, ToriTori, Dutch Rebelle, Oompa, and more! She has performed at venues such as First Night Boston, The Museum of Fine Arts, The Boston Science Museum, Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods, ​
and the Apollo Theater. She also served as Assistant Director to BONDS: A Dance Film.
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In 2017, she took her first heels class which began her journey into her current work. She has trained with Heels instructors in Boston, Toronto, and Los Angeles in classes, intensives, and mentorship programs. In 2021, she launched her business Dance Out Loud, LLC and began teaching Head to Heels classes in 2021. In 2023, she created Head to Heels: The Company as the first professional heels company in Boston. Her choreography has been featured in The Boston Salsa Fest, the Picante Bachata Salsa Weekender, RAW Artists PVD, and many other venues throughout the Boston area. Lauren enjoys empowering her students with a growth mindset and hopes to continue to spread her love for dance and her passion for life by inspiring people to dance out loud and live out loud!
Testimonials
Dance Out Loud was inspired from dance classes where you simply learn a dance and go home - nothing else! Lauren strives to build a community, value the whole person, and empower everybody to be on their personal growth journey without compromising dance technique.
From beginner to advanced dancers, here are real customers, real experiences, and real stories!
Nive Ramesh
"Lauren has managed to cultivate such a kind, compassionate, diverse group of people, and it’s been such a wonderful experience getting to know this community of dancers. Lauren is patient and adaptable - she’ll answer any question with respect and enthusiasm, and she helps you attain your goals, whether that's hitting all the beats, improving your facials, or being sharper in your movements. The environment is joyful, free of any judgement, and most of all, so so so fun. I can’t recommend Head to Heels enough! I hadn’t danced in years before I found Lauren’s classes, and she’s given me back a part of myself I’d missed dearly. She teaches you to be kind to yourself and comfortable in your body, and everyone I’ve met in class is so supportive."
Melissa R.
"I’ve been heels dancing for three years now, but I honestly have never seen this much progress in my heels journey until I went to Lauren’s classes. So many classes only focus on the choreography and video, but Lauren takes the time to help me focus on technique and how to be a better dancer. She challenges me to work on my levels, posture, arms, balance, fluidity, and musicality. She does this all without ever making me feel intimidated. If anything, I feel more encouraged to keep trying and dancing. I’m selective when it comes to which dance classes I take, but I consistently go to Lauren’s. Why? Because her energy and aura in class is just what I need. She’s a magnet in attracting students who want this energy around them. This energy of aiming to be a better dancer, but remembering to be patient and gentle with ourselves in the process, and to always have fun."
Beatriz Kaiser
"I decided to take a class with Lauren for our first dance. First because my husband is not a dancer. Second, because I know how much Lauren makes you feel comfortable and confident in her classes. Her class was essential for our first dance to be a special moment. In our class, we worked on finding the moves that best fit our style. She worked on giving us tips for dance turns, showed us different moves for options, and involved us in the process to see how we felt about them. With her tips, my husband was able to lead our dance. She really made us confident. Thanks Lauren, for being part of our big day!"
Estelle Carminita
"Two years ago, I walked into Lauren’s heels class without knowing it would completely change my life. Before that, I had lost all confidence in every part of my life — as a person, a scientist, a friend, a daughter… I didn’t know who I was anymore, I felt like I had no identity. From the very first class, something shifted. Lauren’s energy, her guidance, and the Head to Heels community gave me a safe space to express myself and feel alive again. It’s hard to put into words, but I felt reborn. Today, I’m a stronger, more confident version of myself — comfortable in my mind, connected to my body, and my identity. Lauren didn’t just teach me dance; she helped me discover who I am."