TU Dance is one of the nation’s newest non-profit, professional dance organizations. Founded in 2004 by Toni Pierce-Sands and Uri Sands, the Minnesota-based company reaches across dance styles, drawing on a broad range of dance traditions from contemporary ballet to modern and traditional forms. Exploring themes as varied as South Africa's heroic struggle to the tone of a Minnesota lake, TU Dance’s work aims to reveal the connective power of dance, celebrating a beautiful diversity on stage. In its first few seasons, TU Dance has premiered more than 10 new works by choreographer Uri Sands, named as one of Dance Magazine's "25 to Watch" for 2005, and recipient of the inaugural 2005 Princess Grace Award in choreography. The company has also premiered work by leading American choreographers such as Dwight Rhoden and Ronald K. Brown. Alongside their passion for diversity, Toni and Uri are committed to introducing new, aspiring artists to the Twin Cities scene. The company features 10 extraordinary professionals, and has regularly included guests from renowned companies like Complexions in New York and Alonso King's Lines Ballet in San Francisco.

Toni and Uri, Artistic Directors and also life partners, continue to draw energy and inspiration from intersecting professional careers, having met and danced together at the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Toni's career includes seasons with progressive European companies like Tanz Forum in Germany and Company Rick Odums in Paris, while Uri developed a considerable reputation as both dancer and choreographer with companies like Complexions and North Carolina Dance Theatre. They were both awarded McKnight Artist Fellowships in 2004-05, for dance and choreography, respectively. Recent honors include the Princess Grace Award in choreography, the 2005 and 2007 Sage Cowles Award for best performance, and 2005 Artists of the Year from the Minneapolis StarTribune.

The company's 2007-08 season is supported by a major grant from the McKnight Foundation, and made possible, in part, by funds provided by the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council from an appropriation by the Minnesota Legislature. Selected works by choreographer Uri Sands were created with the support of the Jerome Foundation in celebration of the Jerome Hill Centennial. The Company's fall 2007 concert is sponsored by RBC Dain Rauscher.