Dominique Tolliver on the Evolution of Stepping and Giving Back

My conversation with Dominique Tolliver was a chance to speak with a woman who at a very early age was recognized as a phenom in Stepping. As only a child, she was stepping and also helping to teach others to step. She has the point of view of someone originally from Chicago who has lived outside of Illinois and felt the impact of the evolution of Stepping. Regardless of time and place, stepping remains a core part of who she is. Dominique has a big heart and a sense of responsibility. We had a lot to talk about.

Dominique Tolliver is originally from the Southside of Chicago (the 100s) and has resided in Los Angeles for the last 13 years. She started stepping when she was six years old and started helping her Dad, Tony Dow, teach classes in the basement when she was nine years old. “To be completely honest, when I first started stepping, I wasn’t really that interested in stepping. When I was a kid, it was a job for us. My Dad paid us to be his assistants. We received an incentive for helping him teach his class. I didn’t really get interested in stepping until my later years.” Not only did Dominique step, but her dance background consists of ballet, hip hop, and footworking. There is a Chicago-style dance called footworking.

“I love music. There are so many songs that I love to step to. As far as Stepping, The Isley Brothers is my favorite group of all time.”

-Dominique Tolliver

Who are some of the women that you have admired in Stepping?

Just prior to your question, I myself heard of a lot of female heavy hitters as well, not just the males, and a lot of these males need a great dancer to execute their movements, or else their movements wouldn’t work. They need a female that can follow their movement to get their moves out. The last time I was asked this question, some people kind of felt left out and I don’t want anyone to feel any type of way because there are so many great dancers that are females from old school to a couple of new school dancers. If I can just give an example of a female legend in my eyes, it will be Jannice Robertson.

Why did you choose Jannice Robertson?

Because she is a trendsetter. When I say trendsetter, it means she heavily influenced stepping with her style of dancing. She was the first female to have that type of style and her fashion was iconic as well. And, she won the very first World Largest Steppers Contest. So that is definitely iconic to me. It’s kind of like female rappers. Do you know what I mean? She came out and her style was so different. It was original. Her fashion, her hair colors, her wigs. That kind of reminds me of Jannice. She had different color minks every time. She was very trendy with her fashion.

What is the significance of Original Old School stepping in an era of New School Stepping?

The significance of Old School Stepping in this New School era of Stepping is — it’s imperative. It really is because it’s the foundation. Without the foundation and the original blueprint, there will be no New School. Old School walks so New School can run. Even just the rhythm of Old school… And it’s very funny that you ask because right now I see a lot of New School dancers trying to get the Old School – the Get Down. A lot of them are doing it and that came from, well came after the Original Original style — the Original Freestyle dancing. So it’s important. Original Old School paved the way.

If you were to write a curriculum to teach stepping, what are two key lessons that you would want to emphasize in your curriculum for instruction today?

Well, the most important lesson for me is more dancing and less counting, or even if I can eliminate counting altogether. I understand the counting technique and I respect the counting technique because it’s been created to teach the masses. But as a dancer — someone who’s a dancer that comes from a dancer’s background — it’s easier for me to learn off of rhythm, and kind of like the routine style. The only problem for me is that when people are dancing on the floor, they tend to count. Everything can’t be counted because the count can be reset at any time. Like if you had, 7-8, 1-2-3, 4-5-6, 1-2-3, 4-5-6 … It can be reset at any time, and then you’re counting? You’ll mess yourself up. Eventually, let go of the count and let yourself go, and just go wherever they take you.

Share with us what you believe are two areas the stepping community needs to focus on intentionally to keep the dance stepping alive.

Positivity and being humble.

Can you explain?

Yes, sure. Just getting positive, I mean. OK, there are a lot of scenarios in Stepping where there are apples and oranges. If you like oranges or someone else likes apples, it’s OK to agree to disagree or it’s OK to respect another person’s preference without being negative about it. And, also what I mean by being humble, is there are so many people who come in through this industry that are new or from out of town. They may be intimidated or they may be shy to approach different people. If they approach the ones that they look up to, then I think there’s that great chance for someone to show that humble side.

Do you believe individuals who start a stepping community outside of Chicago have a responsibility to Chicago?

Absolutely. Well, it’s obvious that the dance originated from Chicago, but in Chicago, the Mecca of Stepping, iron sharpens iron. All of the greats are dancing with the greats. The males are dancing with the females on a consistent basis so they’re able to create with some of the best and build that energy and create impactful moves and rhythm. And, when you’re not consistently in the Mecca, you’re only getting a percentage of that. There’s no way of getting around the Mecca. All of the greats who became greats that are out of towners, I would say, pretty much most, if not all, had to come to Chicago to really get it and feel it.

And, even the instructors. They also have a responsibility to Chicago for keeping the dancers authentic and, as great as it is, they do have to make sure that they are staying on top of their creativity or different styles or different new moves that are out that they’re taking back to their students. Yes, it’s all a collective effort.

Yes, a stint in Chicago is not enough time because Stepping is constantly evolving.

So listen, I’m so glad that you said that. There was a point in time, living in California, the way that I learned stepping was with no count. It was all rhythm. So, when this New School style came out, the 8 count, at that time, I was going in and out of Stepping. I would go years without it and then I’ll pop up Stepping. That’s just how it was. so I went years without stepping. I popped up stepping and my Dad told me that I was dated.

I thought “I’m dated! I’m only 23. How am I dated?”

My Dad said, “You’re dated. You have to learn the 8 count.”

So he and Vino showed me the 8 count and I really had to learn it. Not only did I have to learn it living in California, I also had to go to the Mecca as well to get the feel of it.

How did you stay connected to the dance when you lived outside of Chicago?

Stepping is deeply rooted inside of me. I always say that it’s not just a culture, but it’s a lifestyle, literally. Stepping will always be there. If I go a year or so without Stepping it’s still there. It’s a huge part of me – literally.

When I interviewed your father, Tony Dow, he talked about feeling a sense of responsibility in Stepping. Do you feel a sense of responsibility and, if so, what do you feel responsible for?

I feel a responsibility in the world in general, and that is to give back. One thing I appreciate about the steppers is how they came together to support me with the Toy Drive. I feel responsible for helping the less fortunate. There were so many people who couldn’t make the event because they were out of town or they had other festivities that they had to attend to. But, they did support me as well. They did support the event. They supported the kids. That’s really what it’s all about. Even yourself, last year, you weren’t able to make it, but you still supported the event and that’s greatly appreciated. Every kid deserves to have a smile on their face around Christmas or just have a toy or something for Christmas? Some type of gift. I am thankful that they were able to support the kids in the way that they did.

The Toy drive this year is December 11th at Calumet Park. It’s over east and it’s 2 – 4, same time, same place. I will be posting the pluggers on the social media platform. We’re gonna have a good time.

Thank you Dominique for the candid share. I look forward to the Toy Drive in 2021 and hope to see you on dat wood somewhere soon.

Follow us on social media in our Facebook group, Livingthe8count or look for hashtag #livingthe8count.

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Welcome! I am the writer Sonji Stewart. These are my travel stories about my Chicago Stepping experiences, traveling from city to city to dance. I hope my stories encourage you to join me in the adventure.

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