STEPS PDX

For families and individuals across Oregon passionate about dance, STEPS PDX stands as a truly remarkable institution in Portland. More than just a place to learn dance steps, STEPS PDX is a vibrant non-profit organization deeply committed to providing high-quality, inclusive dance education and fostering a strong sense of community. With a focus on nurturing talent, celebrating diversity, and making dance accessible to all, this studio offers an enriching environment where students of all ages and backgrounds can grow, blossom, and connect through the art of movement. From foundational techniques in ballet and tap to the dynamic rhythms of hip hop, STEPS PDX inspires a lifelong love for dance while building confidence and historical awareness.

STEPS PDX is conveniently located at 1734 SE 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97214, USA. This accessible address places it in the lively Southeast district of Portland, making it easily reachable for residents throughout the city and surrounding areas. SE 12th Avenue is a well-known thoroughfare, ensuring straightforward navigation whether you're arriving by car, bicycle, or public transportation. While specific parking details for the immediate studio are not explicitly stated, street parking is typically available in this urban neighborhood, though it's always advisable to allow extra time during peak hours. Furthermore, Portland boasts an extensive TriMet bus and MAX light rail system, with numerous stops and lines serving the Southeast area, providing convenient access to STEPS PDX for those relying on public transit. This central and well-connected location helps ensure that more Oregonians can access the exceptional dance education and community offered by STEPS PDX.

STEPS PDX offers a comprehensive array of dance programs and services, catering to a wide range of ages, skill levels, and backgrounds, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity and historical context.

• Youth Dance Programs: STEPS PDX has a robust youth division that includes:
  • BIPOC Youth Dance Program: A 10-month program carefully designed to provide a safer space for students of color (ages 3-9 years old, increasing to 50 students in recent years) to learn and grow. It focuses on creative movement, ballet, and tap, building self-confidence, fostering positive peer engagement, and offering performance opportunities. This program, initiated by Mia O'Connor, aims to make dance accessible to youth historically excluded from the art form.
  • Scholarships for Youth: STEPS PDX provides significant dance scholarships to students who demonstrate natural abilities and passion, aiming to double their scholarship funds to make dance more accessible.
  • First Steps Division (Ages 3-6): For the youngest dancers, igniting a passion for movement and storytelling through basics of ballet, jazz, and tap in an environment that encourages play, curiosity, and discovery.
  • Youth Division (Ages 7-18): Offers flexible scheduling and an enriching curriculum in styles like ballet, hip-hop, jazz, theater dance, tap, contemporary, and modern.
  • Pre-Professional Program: An audition-only, intensive training program for aspiring young dancers (ages 14-22) focused on building strong technique, artistic excellence, and a sense of community to prepare for professional careers.
• Adult Drop-In Classes: A diverse schedule of open classes for teens and adults, including Ballet (Absolute Beginner & Beginner), Contemporary (Beginner), Strength + Stretch (Open to all), and Hip Hop (Open to all). These classes are designed to accommodate various skill levels and provide flexibility.
• Summer Intensives: Multi-day programs (e.g., 6-day or 3-week intensives) for dancers aged 6-22, offering training in Ballet, Modern Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Flamenco, Tap, Afro Beat, and more. They also include strength and conditioning (Pilates, Yoga, Meditation, PBT) for a holistic approach.
• DanceAbility Program: A movement improvisation class designed for all people, including those with mixed abilities and experiences, focusing on sensation, relationship, time, and design to create a culture of dance that eliminates isolation.
• Community Events: STEPS PDX hosts various free or donation-based community dance events throughout the year, such as "Youth Day of Dance" and "Full Circle," providing movement-based classes, healthy snacks, and fostering community engagement. They also partner with organizations to host workshops with professional dance company members.

STEPS PDX stands out as a truly exceptional dance institution in Portland, distinguished by several remarkable features and highlights that resonate deeply with its community.

• Deep Commitment to Inclusivity and Equity: A core highlight is STEPS PDX's dedication to making dance accessible to all, particularly through its groundbreaking BIPOC Youth Dance Program. This 10-month program is specifically designed to provide a "safer space for students of color" to learn and grow, actively addressing historical exclusions in dance. Their mission "to educate, inspire and enrich lives through dance" is driven by providing "affordable and enriching dance education to Youth of Color."
• Nurturing and Inspirational Teachers: Reviewers consistently rave about the instructional staff. Teachers are described as "TRULY amazing" and "truly inspirational," taking "so much time to make sure the kids have a fun experience while learning dance and dance history." They are noted for their remarkable dedication to the community and their ability to guide students with kindness and expert feedback, even for home practice.
• Holistic Approach to Dance Education: Beyond just teaching steps, STEPS PDX integrates the "history of Tap" and other dance forms, providing crucial cultural context. Their summer intensives incorporate "strength and conditioning sessions in Pilates, Yoga, Meditation, and Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT)," ensuring a well-rounded and safe approach to dancer development.
• Positive and Empowering Environment: The studio is described as a place where children "grow and blossom," fostering self-confidence and positive engagement. Students "look forward to the most every week," indicating a highly enjoyable and stress-reducing experience that supports overall well-being.
• Community Engagement and Scholarships: STEPS PDX is a non-profit organization (Steps for Youth, a 501(c)3) that actively partners with local schools and organizations, provides "opportunities and resources to youth of all backgrounds and abilities," and offers significant dance scholarships. They also host free community events, demonstrating a deep commitment to serving and enriching the wider Portland community.
• Diverse Styles and All-Levels Welcome: From ballet and tap for the youngest learners to contemporary, hip hop, jazz, and even a "DanceAbility" program for mixed abilities, STEPS PDX offers a wide range of styles. This ensures that "A DANCE CLASS FOR EVERYONE" is a reality, accommodating various interests and skill levels.

For those interested in connecting with STEPS PDX, here is their contact information:

Address: 1734 SE 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97214, USA

Phone: (971) 400-0713

STEPS PDX is an exceptional and highly suitable choice for locals in Oregon, particularly those in the Portland metro area, for anyone seeking quality dance education and a truly supportive community. What makes STEPS PDX stand out is its profound commitment to not just teaching dance, but also fostering personal growth, cultural understanding, and genuine inclusivity. For parents, the glowing reviews speak volumes about the nurturing environment where children, even as young as four, "grow and blossom" and look forward to their classes each week. The emphasis on learning dance history alongside technique provides a richer, more meaningful experience than simply memorizing steps.

Moreover, STEPS PDX's dedication to accessibility, highlighted by its BIPOC Youth Program and significant scholarship initiatives, ensures that dance is truly an art form for everyone, regardless of background or financial means. This aligns perfectly with Oregon's values of community and equity. Whether you're a parent looking for a positive and inspiring activity for your child, a teen exploring different dance styles, or an adult seeking a fun way to stay active, STEPS PDX offers a class for every body and every level. Its convenient Southeast Portland location makes it easily reachable, solidifying its role as a vital hub for dance education and community building in the state. For Oregonians seeking an enriching, empowering, and deeply connected dance experience, STEPS PDX is undoubtedly a stellar choice.

STEPS PDX

1734 SE 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97214, USA