The Road to Chicago Stepping and The First Day in Stepping Class
INSPIRED BY:
A young lady new to Stepping replied after I sent her information for a Stepping instructor in her city.
“I appreciate the flyer. Wondering if you can recommend some YouTube videos so I can learn the basics before I go.”
Undisclosed
Finding Out About Chicago Stepping in 2021
Many people I connect with who want to learn to step aren’t sure of what to expect from class instruction. Some newcomers are concerned that they will start off behind others in class or that they will struggle to keep up with everyone else because “I have two left feet.” Everyone has a different journey and story about how they discovered the dance. Everyone had a first day. I see a new wave of steppers because of the way new people are finding out about Chicago Stepping. First, most people I refer to classes lately have googled something like Chicago stepping and found links to my blog in the search results. Second, many newcomers might not personally know someone who steps. Maybe what they have seen in videos on YouTube or social media from content creators like Chicago Steppin Video Queen is their only context of stepping. Third, one of the first steppers they connect and speak with is online and probably lives in another state.
I am going to share how I was introduced to Stepping in 2011. Then, I asked for help from a few stepping instructors across different states to share what they would tell a new student to expect on the first day of their stepping class.
My Introduction to Chicago Stepping
I didn’t go looking for Stepping, Stepping was looking for me. I went to The Mambo Room in Norfolk, Virginia, to pick up where I left off years ago on salsa lessons after relocating from South Florida. When I walked into the studio, they were playing music but not salsa music and the room was filled with people dancing. Jonathan Green greeted me and introduced himself. He explained, “Salsa is on a different night. Tonight is for the steppers. It’s fun though and I can teach you Chicago-Style Stepping. Let me show you how.” This wasn’t what I planned for the night and I declined and left the studio.
Some months later I was playing spades and my neighbor from Ohio, Bionca, started dancing and doing fancy footwork. I was staring at her feet. 😲 She taunted me:
> “You don’t know Stepping?! Haven't you ever heard R Kelly’s song Step in the Name of Love?”😦 > I said, “Yes I have. I can step. I can do THAT and anything you can do and do it BETTER.”😏 > She replied, “OKAY. Show me what you got.”🤔 I showed her SOME-THING. She laughed and so did everyone else.🤣 > "You don’t know how to step at ALL. Let me show you.”😑😀 > I laughed and sat down quickly. “Nah. You see me holding these cards.”😒🥱
Months later, a co-worker, Terri, invited me to join her at a dance class that our stepping hairstylist, Ronda, said she might like. Terri was going for the first time and didn’t want to go alone. I didn’t even ask for details. After divorce, I was desperately seeking something new to do. I said, “Yes, I’m game!” To my surprise, Terri pulled into the Mambo Room parking lot. When we walked in, I stood face-to-face with the man I’d met before – Jonathan “Jon” Green.
My First Day in Stepping Class
I paid my $10 and we joined the other students in Jon’s class. Then, I was listening to music, snapping my fingers, and counting 1-2-3, 4-5-6, 7-8, with everyone. We – about eighteen men and women – lined up facing the instructor and assistants to learn our basic pattern and some simple turns – solo without any partner. At the end of many turns, finger snaps, and chanting numbers out loud, we all stood in a circle and went around the room to introduce ourselves and answer a question. “What was our favorite sport to watch on TV?” After an hour, I left the class with my first CD of music to practice at home. Jon became my first Stepping instructor and I continued stepping even when Terri did not return to classes with me. I never looked back. If only Bionca could see me now!
The First Day in a Chicago Stepping Class
Different instructors answer, “What should a new stepper expect from the first day in your Chicago Stepping class?” Thank you, instructors. Teaching and learning may not happen in an exact way, but sharing ideas and what you do now is the first step for all of us to begin to understand the Stepping experience. For newcomers, I hope this gives you some basic context to think about and be ready for your class. I encourage you to have a conversation with your instructor before you take the first class. These are not all of the possible answers.
Indiana
- Listening to different songs and the beat patterns to get a basic understanding of music beats. Snapping your fingers and bopping your head to the beat, and counting the “1.”
- Explaining the count system in the dance without moving, and defining the three groups. Describing set up numbers, which numbers women turn on, and where there are pauses.
- We’ll talk about the lane and the role of the man and the woman in the dance. Who is in the lane and who moves in and out of the lane. Who gives the signals and how to know a signal.
It will seem overwhelming to start, but we will put the pieces together. It will make sense as I explain and we put it into practice when we start to move. First, we understand, and then the dancing part comes. – Tony Butler with Touch of Class Steppers
North Carolina
- There is no pressure and my class is a judgment-free zone with a family atmosphere.
- Bring a smile and I’ll do the rest.
- Our goal is to set every student up for success and to feel a sense of accomplishment
- You should be comfortable and here are ideas of what shoes to wear to be comfortable in class.
There is no cookie-cutter approach to learning to step. Everyone’s style is different and we respect everyone’s journey. Everyone has a different learning curve. Let’s enjoy the ride together. If a student wants to sit and watch, they may do so if class watching helps that person get that courage up. – Tonya Foreman with Eastern Carolina Steppers
Illinois
To be ready for your first class come with:
- An open mind
- Patience
- A good work ethic
You will do the basic, basic, and more basic. My class is a no-judgment zone. Come as you are and ready to learn. – Shaun Ballentine with Effortless Steppin
Ohio
- We present basic information about the dance and assure every student that it is okay to ask a question during class
- I share the history about the instructor I choose to learn from; who was their instructor and their relationship with Chicago
- I discuss how long – with practice – will it take to learn how to Step – Lolita Hite with BeautinBeats
Wisconsin
- Learning the up beat so you will be on beat
- Learning the break down of the dance. Understanding what a lead does and what a follow does.
- Expect to learn the 8 count. 1-2-3 the follow goes up, 4-5-6 she goes back, 7-8 she is stationary or walks up for the next move. Taking turns on 148.
- Learning basic turns. Right, left, half and full
- Understanding foot placement
- Everyone teaches differently – Benedetta Wright
California
- Listening to the beats in the music. No movements. Finger snapping and hand claps, as we understand the 8 step cadence and the 3 focused beats.
- Basic movement, introductory drills. Foot placement on the (8 step cadence & 3 focused beats) as we listen to the music. This will include the (straight basic, side to side, reverse and cross)
- Basic primary turns patterns & drills. This will include (half lefts, half rights.) – Angela Porter with Team California Steppers
New Jersey
- An introduction of the instructor(s) including their stepping training
- An explanation of what will be taught in the first class and subsequent classes
- They should begin to hear the history and etiquette of Stepping. – Dolores Brunner
Virginia
Expect to get some fundamentals, the beginnings of a playlist to practice to, and an understanding that practicing improves your dance.
Watching videos can give context but remember the person you are watching is doing THEIR dance. It is not the standard for the community. You will need the fundamentals to get perspective as to why the person moves that way. Don’t let what you see dissuade you from going into class as a blank slate. Be willing to learn. – Lani Lucas with NYCE Entertainment
Georgia
- Expect to learn a great deal and exceed your expectations.
- Our environment is of friendship and love and coming together to uplift and help one another.
- We’re going to laugh and learn at the same time.
Maurice Turner with World Steppers Inc
Texas, Michigan, Arizona
- Expect to enjoy yourself. My class is a space that is fun and exciting.
- Be open-minded. To learn you should have an open mind so that you can be ready to receive and to see if what you get is a fit.
- You will receive a whole lot of information that you might not use now but will use eventually. These are the basics but it is explanation, understanding, and history.
Drewry Alexander with Smooth-Tivity Productions
Generally speaking, “trying” to learn Stepping from multiple sources at the same time at any point of your stepping journey may stunt your growth and even confuse you. This is a message not just for new steppers but for any stepper. Stick with your instructor to learn your fundamentals and you can go a far way quickly. And, have fun!
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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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You are welcome! And thank you for that.
The Road to stepping and listening from experience steppers from around different city and states was inspiring information. I believe this was awesome information when new stepper’s are wanting to learn the dance. I will I had seen this before I begin to step, I would have gotten an better understanding of the dance. I didn’t really have an mentor or anyone explaining how this dance was suppose to go. I do know that it’s an expensive hobbies. I had to back track to learn the history and I wish I had been taught from the beginning.
Thanks Sonji for being an great steward!