Owner and Director Amber Weiss
Victoria Haro
Melody Dutra
Spotlight on our Senior! Katie Guilbeaux
Lori Stefani
Colby Palmer-Hip-Hop Bio Soon |
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Our family oriented, positive atmosphere helps to build self-esteem and the love of dance. Our staff genuinely cares about your child and wants only the best for their dance education. Our teachers love what they do and are inspired by your children every day. THE REWARDS OF DANCE One of the most important things dance does is build "self-esteem". Children have to grow emotionally as well as physically and dance can help them develop a positive self-image and become much more confident. Any child who feels as if he or she is contributing to the team effort will acquire healthy self-esteem. One of the great rewards of dance is socializing. Dance gives children the chance to make new friends in a stimulating environment. It is a testament to the power of dance that many of these friendships can last through adult life. Children love to pursue and learn about new things and ideas, to search for new information. Dance helps everyone acheive personal objectives, and to experience self satisfaction when they rise to a challenge. Children will advance and expand their lives through their talent, to find fulfillment in their efforts. Along the way we must remember to balance fun and work, children love to have fun, they embrace it, with this balance they will combine the two and know what Ying and Yang are all about! Quitting is easy. Anybody can quit. If you have the courage and strength to hang on and refuse to give up, you will succeed in most anything you do in life. If a child gives up in an instance it becomes easier to do so the second time. Pretty soon, quitting becomes a way of life. Each person should do something special with their life and if they quit, their opportunity to achieve their dream is lost. When a child has rules to follow, goals to work towards with dedication and commitment, they will learn life skills. They will learn patience and tolerance working as a team. They will learn to respect other peoples differences and build communication skills. They will learn to be comfortable with self expression. Step 2 this was founded because of the love for dance, but we did not know what joy it would bring us on a daily basis. The joy it would bring us seeing your children grow and learn good things. To know we had something to do with that makes our life full! You know that "Ying and Yang" thing. Always believe in yourself, always dance like no one is watching you.
Amber has been teaching dance for over 15 years. She studied dance at several different studios in the Bay Area. She began competing at Regional Competitions throughout Northern California at the age of 7. She won many Top awards and has been recognized by judges for her ability to bring passion and character to the stage. She attended many workshops and conventions through the years to expand her expertise in dance technique and styles. She studied ballet at Delta Ballet under the direction of (retired) Helga Isikata during her teen years and her love for dance and children started her teaching career at age 13. She was a Deer Valley Cheerleader as well as a member of the Deer Valley Dance Squad during her High School years and during her college years she choreographed routines for several High Schools, Dance Studios and Cheer organizations in the Bay Area. Her desire to learn more started her travels to Southern California to attend Master Classes at the Edge, where she familiarized herself with the industry. Over the years Amber has fostered great relationships with other dance studios and choreographers within California. She is always networking with other dance studios and Choreographers to bring workshops and up to date instruction into East County. Amber is the Director of Step 2 This as well as a teacher. Her ability to connect with children is an asset to the studio.
Victoria started her dance career at age 5. She has received many overall awards as well as showmanship awards during her 11 years competing. As well as being a dance teacher assistant at age 14, Victoria was also a member of the Liberty High School Cheer Squad. In 2004 she became a member of the Team Rave Performance Company and continued her training with the Company through 2006. Victoria has worked with Choreographers, Gregg Russell, JJ Pop Stars, The Fly Girls from "In Living Color", back up dancer Lisa Thompson and the "Tap Dog Dancers". After completing an internship in her senior year in Child Development, Victoria knew she wanted to be a teacher. She started teaching competition and recreational students in 2005 in the Bay Area and currently she is studing dance in her 4th year of college. Victoria came to Step 2 This in early 2007 and has been an inspiration to all of her students. Her knowledge and communication skills as a teacher is remarkable. Her dedication and her "Relaxed" nature with all the students is noticed by everyone.
Melody began dancing at the age of 7 while taking Jazz and Tap at a local Studio in Antioch. At the age of 9 she met Helga Ishikata and knew instantly she wanted to become a ballerina. Melody continued her training with Helga and went on to perform in the Oakland Ballet Nutcracker and Hansel and Gretel. After spending 6 years competing Melody knew she wanted to make a career out of dancing. At age 14 she traveled to Pennsylvania to attend the famous "Pennsylvania Youth Ballet Academy" in Carlile. There she received training from some of the best instructors on the East Coast. The following summer she enrolled at Contra Costa Ballet Academy to continue refining her technique and after her 6 week program, she performed in their Elite Summer Showcase. Still intrigued, Melody continued her training in Ballet, Pointe and Lyrical. When she was 16 she started atttending classes at the Oakland Ballet with Ron Guidi and the Company Dancers. Working with Ron, from Melodys point of view, helped her to understand what performing was all about. At 16 she was given the opportunity to teach, as she always wanted to help other dancers understand the importance of strong technique. She knew her true passion was to be able to pass on her knowledge to others so they could experience all dance has to offer. Melody started teaching at Step 2 This in 2003 and has been there ever since. Her passion for ballet shows in her choreography and the technique that she has instilled in her dancers. Some of her students have had the opportunity to perform with the Oakland Ballet for 2 years. Her Recital routines are beautiful and her classical style is unforgetable.
Congratulations to Miss Katie Guilbeaux Katie graduated this year from Freedom High and is going on to attend California Lutheran University this fall. Katie has been dancing most of her life and 8 of those years at Step 2 This. We have had the privilege of watching her grow as an individual and a performer. She has many talents, one of which includes singing. Her great performing skills caught the eyes of the judges and the Director at Spotlight Dance Competition in 2008. She received the "Miss Spotlight" award as well as the "Directors Choice" award for her vocal performance "Big Time". While attending Freedom High, Katie was an Honor Roll student and a member of the School Site Council. She was involved in the French Club and Link Crew. She participated in many fashion shows and in her senior year she became the president of the "Fashion Club". We all know Katie for her free spirit in fashion! This year she was the winner of the Freedom High Talent Show, singing "I'm Telling You". She has won many top awards through the years for her singing and dancing. Katie always had a desire to teach children dance. She worked with the Director for 3 years and this year we knew she was ready. She taught Little Step and beginning jazz classes. After watching her through the season, with the children, we knew we did the right thing. Her routines were fun and creative and the children and parents loved her! We are sure that her talents and convictions will take her many places on that road of life. We will miss you "Lil' Mama", we are so happy that we could be a part of your life!!!
Lori has been dancing since the age of 4, when her parents decided to trade in her quiet tennis shoes for some taps! She attended the Terry Smith Dancers of Hayward for 15 years studying tap, jazz, ballet and hip-hop. While at aTerry Smith Dancers she was fortunate to be a parf of a tap group that won many awards including the Gene Nelson Award,Top Score, Choreography and Fabulous Feet. Lori spent 3 years on the Varsity Cheer/Dance Team at Hayward High School and in her senior year became Captain She attended Chabot College and joined the Cheer Team, finishing out her second year at team captain. In 1997 she joined the Oakland Skates Dance Team for one year until deciding she wanted to share her love of dance as a dance teacher. Teaching both recreational and competitive dance of all styles for over 13 years, Lori's expertise is TAP. She is currently starting her second year with Step 2 This, her 6th year with Triple Threat Performing Arts and her 4th year as head coach of the Tracy High School Varsity Dance Team. She has taught for several Bay Area studios including Hayward Area Recreation, The Terry Smith Dancers, Nelson's Dance for All Ages and Dance Makers. She hopes to touch the hearts of all her students with her love and passion for dance, just as her dance teacher has done for her. We are blessed to have Lori, she loves her work and it shows all the time.
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