Chicago Stepping has connected me with people everywhere across the United States that I probably would not have met otherwise. Interesting story … my dear friend who lived in Omaha, Nebraska, Adam Yhwh (R.I.P.) introduced me through Facebook to Los Angeles Stepper, Jana Wilson. Surprisingly, Jana and I finally met in person in Atlanta, Georgia at the Heritage Ball some years ago. Whenever I go to Los Angeles. I see Jana out dancing on the set. Although Stepping is what brought us together, Jana and I never really had a conversation about Stepping before now. My interview with Jana helped me to get to know her beyond Facebook life and to understand the West Coast Stepping community and how steppers in states like California may feel about Stepping. Here is a west coast perspective on our dance!
About Jana Wilson
Jana Wilson resides in Los Angeles, California about twelve minutes from the LAX airport. She is originally from Inglewood which is right next door, about four to seven minutes away.
“I’ve been Stepping inconsistently and intermittently since about 2015. I’m originally an urban ballroomer, since the beginning of 2010 under the tutelage of the late great Mack Hopson in Los Angeles, and he was connected to Detroit’s lovely Bobby Green.”
Jana
When Jana just started and was determined to learn, she frequented a lot of ballroom sets because there was something to do every single night of the week. She started to notice other dance styles when she went out to dance. As a lover of rhythm and musicality, she was intrigued and asked and found out about Chicago Stepping. She found some local classes to get her basics down. Her introduction to Stepping was with Terance Jones at his class in Inglewood. What Jana enjoys about Stepping is the vibe in the room.
“Sometimes it looks like a battle on the dance floor and other times it resembles a love story. I consider myself like a dance butterfly I go and I look, and I pick up pieces, go pollinate, learn, and move on. When I see Stepping it makes me take a pause to see what is being communicated. Sometimes the dance floor is saying a whole lot. I can just sit and watch. I’m a people watcher anyway, and I can just sit and watch the different styles and the different ways that people connect to each other.”
Jana
Which song makes you want to find someone to dance with right away to be a part of what’s happening on the floor?
My goodness! Right now, I am completely smitten with anything by Carmichael. He’s new to me. He may not be new to everyone, but he’s relatively new to me. I’ve been checking out all his music. He sings message music, which is something that resonates with me, and that I love. I just love the lyrics, the music and how he puts it together, and what he’s putting out. I’m a fan of his, his voice, and his moods. And, I also fell in love with an older song. I’m completely over the moon about “And Then” by James Tillman.
Following you on Facebook, I see the progress of your garden and its produce. Gardening or Stepping, which one do you spend more time doing?
I’d probably say Stepping now, I guess. With the pandemic being where it is now when no one was getting out, I was really in that in the dirt, so to speak. You get the garden together. You spend a few hours doing that, and then you just maintain it, which doesn’t take a whole lot every day. Just, you know, a little time each week. But Stepping, I mean, you can go hours at a time for three days a week.
You mentioned earlier that you are a people watcher. Who are two of your favorite steppers to watch dancing and why?
I love, love, love, love, and I will get off the floor, take a seat and watch Milli Stanford locally. She’s just absolutely wonderful and Georgette Mikulja. Now, outside of my state if I may … I was blessed over the pandemic to be a part of the Quarantined Lady Steppers Footwork page on Facebook that they put together for all of us that were hunkered down. They brought on and introduced me to some ladies that were kind enough and gracious enough to share their footwork. And I fell in love with Serrie and also Michelle Green in New York. Those two ladies are on my bucket list to have them instruct me one day. Absolutely beautiful!
What are some of your Stepping goals?
Because I’m in the six-footer’s club, I would like to find and secure a style that highlights my specific body type. My movements, and like you, my legs go on forever. They’re super long so not all dance moves compliment me. So the bouncing and some of the quick jerky moves that may look great on some other people, make me look and feel really silly. So, I just want to find styles that compliment me. I’d like to portray more of a feminine smooth type of movement. Yeah, that’s my goal. Then I want to learn just enough to be able to compete, even if I don’t want to compete, but be able to stitch my moves together so they’re kind of seamless and my dance will tell a story at some point – a really, nice story.
Sonji: [Stepping is very unveiling. You know, when I’m having a not-so-great day or if there’s something that I have a precarious notion towards in the room, it shows in my dance. That’s one of the reasons that they teach you that Stepping is really all about confidence. And when you have confidence about what you’re doing and what you’re about in yourself, all those other outside factors don’t come in and disrupt you. I understand what you’re saying.]
Sometimes I hear feedback on how people feel about something that I’ve executed on the floor and I’m thinking, “You’ve got to be kidding! I was just trying to stay up in my heels.” I appreciate it and that makes me think that maybe I should see more of myself recorded. Then I would see maybe what some other people may see.
Now that you talk about recording, I saw the video on Facebook that you did with Royce Banks in class. What are two things you do to process what you learn in a workshop with an instructor that visits from another state?
I haven’t done a lot of the in-house, out-of-town guests workshops and classes, but for the ones that I have, I’m so busy trying to focus and get the moves that I don’t often record them. And, some instructors do not want you to record. All I can do is retain what I can retain and rehearse it and go over it as best I can.
Maybe I get with someone else and try and remind myself of what the move was and just go over it, but I really do need a better system for trying to remember and integrate those moves into my own personal dance. I’m a visual learner so it helps when I can see it. I’m thinking the video option may be something I want to do more of, just to retain it. Then I’ll just have to remember to get my phone, record it, put it down, and get back in the game. You know so that I’m present for the class and I can actually do the move physically.
Back on the height thing. Can you think of two ways that your height gives you an advantage in stepping?
I think that my height adds to what I consider a smooth look. That’s a lot of landscape to move around, and I don’t want to be real jerky. And then it’s also been said by some of the guys that they really appreciate not having to duck and bend – the tall gentlemen of course. But yeah, for me that’s what it is. It just adds to the smoothness because I can’t rip around like some of the height-challenged individuals I know.
Are you learning to step at a pace that you like?
I am not, but that’s totally on me because you make time for the things that you want to do. It’s just a matter of not letting life get in the way and investing in my dance and investing myself in that dance. Make the time to do it. Take the time to rehearse it. And then go out and take the time to execute it with different individuals.
What are you still trying to learn to elevate your dance?
Like I mentioned, I’m trying to develop my own particular style. Find moves and things that I can stitch together that go with my body style and my ability to move. Securing the proper basics. You know sometimes you’ll go and be instructed by one person and then you’ll go to another, and you know even their start-offs are different. Their basics are a little different and you can get called out on it and corrected. I want to secure my proper basics and then stitch my moves together, and also get better at recognizing my partner’s cues. Not everybody can give you a good cue. Not everyone has the best lead, but in order to get through the dance and have an enjoyable dance, I want to at least know what minimal cue you’re trying to give me so that I can kind of get there. There is also a role in the recovery. You know, if you get a move that you don’t quite understand, you make the best of it and just, you know, get back on step. It may not be what he intended, because you didn’t recognize it coming, but you can have a seamless outcome just by recovering.
What has learning to step taught you about yourself?
How much I really, really like partner dancing. I can basically do anything that I really put my mind and heart to if I want to do it.
What do you think is special about Stepping on the West Coast without necessarily comparing to other states?
Within the different Stepping groups, they’re a close-knit group. I like the fact that a lot of the groups will support each other from what I’ve seen. I’ve seen a lot of other instructors visiting some of the different sets around the city and having a great time and in reverse, some of them will return the favor and bring their students or followers to their sets. Whether it’s the Inland Empire or up in the Bay Area or L.A. there is a connectedness that I see within the group.
Which is your favorite California event?
There’s only a couple of events that I’ve gone to in California that aren’t sets, but I like annual events. I’ve gone to Denise Barrows’ Harlem Nights for a few years and I’ve enjoyed that. But, of course, I love a good theme, so dressing up and watching everybody come out and participate is always a treat. I love a good dress-up. The fact is, you know, everyone dances differently when they’re dressed to the nines. It’s a different vibe.
What is your favorite out-of-state event?
Oh man! I was in love with the late Larry Collins’ Vegas Jam in Las Vegas. I’ve gone there several years and that, by far, has been my favorite. It was all-inclusive with folks from everywhere, and there was something for everyone to do. There was not only Stepping, but it was a variety of styles and that was just awesome. There was just so much to do. It was organized and those DJs were just off the charts. I had a ball every year. I really really hope that that the family is able to continue that legacy.
Have you been to Chicago yet?
I have not. I’ve popped in, but I haven’t been in the dance scene. I’d like to go. I’d sit somewhere and just watch how it’s done from the originators. I’ve heard about the hole in the walls. I’ve heard about the basement parties. I’d like to sit and see all of that. And, then the hall events. I’d like to see all of that to take it all in.
Subscribe to Chicago Stepping News by eMail from Sonji
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.
Get the latest blog post by email because every stepper should be on this email list.
By clicking submit, you accept our terms & conditions. We do not share or sell your personal information.
Follow us on social media. Find us and follow us on Facebook at livingthe8count and don’t forget to visit our sister website StepintheChi for your trip planning to go to Chicago.
