06/02/2026
Cone take a step class!
History:
Stepping traces its roots to the body-percussion traditions of enslaved Africans in America, who used clapping and stomping to preserve culture and communicate. Many scholars also link stepping to South Africa’s Gumboot Dance, where mine workers used rhythmic movements and boot slaps for communication and expression. Together, these traditions influenced the development of modern stepping.
Teacher:
Johari Jones is a Houston native and graduate of the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, where she studied dance. A lifelong dancer, she has built a career as a performer, choreographer, instructor, and judge. In 2024, she choreographed more than 15 routines for the No Excuses Pro League Dancers and has worked with organizations including Houston Met, Xtreme Level Dance Studio, and Designed 2 Dance.
Since 2015, she has served as a dance judge for the Houston NAACP ACT-SO competition and has performed in productions at Miller Outdoor Theatre and The Ensemble Theatre alongside renowned artists and dance collectives, such as Tobe Nwigwe’s dancers, Black Angels Collective and Broadway’s Tap Dance Kid performed at the The Ensemble Theater in Houston.
✊🏿❤️🖤💚
