"Walk Down Memory Lane"
A native Phoenician, my love for Steppin is paralleled only by my love for tennis. By day, I am an Administrative Assistant for the Phoenix Suns and by night, you can either catch me on the tennis courts or out on the floor steppin!
On Christmas Eve 2004, fate and I met when I was introduced to Chicago Steppin. My oh my was I amazed by not only the footwork, but also the grace, the passion, and the style. I was stirred up so much that I immediately had to take a steppin class. That first class turned into multiple workshops and functions across the nation as I set out on my quest to become an accomplished stepper.
Once I started packing my bags, I found myself in such fine cities as Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, D.C., Cleveland, Oakland, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas to name a few. I met notable steppin professionals including Tulivu of MAK3 LA, Dave Maxx of MAK3 Chicago, Andre’ Blackwell of Dre and Company, LC Henderson, Lady Margaret, Shareda, Keith Hubbard, Dominique, Maurice, Sarah Teagle, ‘Steppin B’ Patterson, Anthony ‘Tic Man’ Allen, Bruce Dyer, ‘Smooth’ Nate, and Larry Collins of Steady Steppers. Before I got up enough nerve to even take a workshop with some of these quintessential dancers, I had to spend a lot of time just watching – both in person, and their videos. As true steppers know, you never learn it all nor can you stay on your game without being willing to travel and to take workshops to polish up your game. I was so blown away by it all that soon, my friends could not even talk to me without discussing steppin!
Eventually and thankfully, I did make it onto the floor where I was challenged to learn the fundamental counts and footwork. After a while, I was put into so many moves and combinations that I had no choice but to learn how to roll. I didn’t know it at the time, but all of that learning, passion, and desire would lead me to bring the dance back home introducing it to some and presenting it to others who were just waiting for a chance to share in the fun. Now here I am 3 years later and Desert Steppers Connection is indeed in full effect. I am still excited and still learning but most of all, I’m still having fun!
Thank you all for helping to make our 1st and 2nd Annual Ball the resounding success that compelled the Desert Steppers to make this an annual affair. It is because of your support that the Desert Steppers have become one of the premier Steppin organizations in the country. I truly look forward to meeting you and I hope you’ve prepared yourself for the ultimate fun filled weekend of socializing, networking, and of course, steppin!
For more information about Desert Steppers or our Annual Desert Steppers Ball,
please contact Ceola:(623) 444-6554 or:
(602) 284-4702
or email: coastonceola@yahoo.com. home