STEPS PDX

Steps PDX was founded in 2017 by Artistic Director Kathryn Harden with a vision to bring exceptional dance training and a sense of belonging to the Portland community. What started as a single studio has grown into a thriving space where dancers of all ages and experiences can learn, create, and connect. The studio operates from 1734 SE 12th Ave in Portland's Southeast neighborhood.

The studio's core offering is the Ballet + Modern School, which serves students from beginner through pre-professional levels. The curriculum blends classical foundations with contemporary movement practices, ensuring dancers receive a well-rounded and enriching experience. Core training includes Ballet Technique, Modern Technique, Jazz Technique, Pointe & Variations, Composition, Improvisation & Partnering, and Strength & Conditioning incorporating Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), Pilates, Yoga, and Meditation. Dancers are placed in levels based on ability, not age, and progression is earned through hard work, determination, and discipline. The 2026/27 school season runs 36 weeks over 10 months from mid-September through mid-June, with enrollment in September 2026 and January 2027.

Beyond technique, Steps PDX provides a comprehensive ecosystem of professional development. The mentorship program connects younger students with experienced dancers and pairs pre-professional dancers with industry professionals from companies including Miami City Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, and Oregon Ballet Theatre. Students participate in monthly workshops in Hip Hop, African Dance, and Tap, plus monthly seminars on Mental Health & Mindfulness, Body Image & Wellness, Meditation & Breathwork, and Racism in Dance. Performance is central to training: dancers perform in full-length winter productions such as The Nightmare Before Christmas, spring showcases like BLOOM, and in-studio showcases. The studio also organises field trips to see world-class performances from companies such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Complexions, Lines Ballet, Martha Graham, and others.

Steps PDX operates with a team of 20 highly experienced and passionate faculty from diverse professional backgrounds. The studio's commitment to equity is embedded in its nonprofit arm, Steps for Youth, which has awarded 80 scholarships and provided $36,092 in support for the 2024/2025 school year, with a goal to double scholarship funds for 2025/2026. The BIPOC Youth Dance Program serves 62 students ages 3–9 in a 10-month commitment offering creative movement, ballet, and tap with sliding-scale tuition ranging from $400 to $2,000 per year. DanceAbility, held every Saturday 9:30–10:45 am, is a movement improvisation class for all people and mixed abilities, rooted in the understanding that every movement can happen in any body. The Summer Intensive 2026 offers 1–3 weeks of high-level training in Ballet and Modern Contemporary, plus advanced styles, conditioning, creative studies, and enriching seminars for aspiring dancers. Teen and adult drop-in classes run weekly September through July, with the studio closed in August for staff rest.

Drop-in classes welcome adults and teens on a flexible basis with single-class and pass options. School-track dancers experience structured, ability-based training in a supportive environment with regular rehearsals and performance opportunities. All dancers are invited to participate in monthly workshops, seminars, and mentorship connections designed to develop the whole artist.

The studio's faculty team of 20 includes experienced educators and professional dancers. Named instructors include Artistic Director Kathryn Harden, Hip Hop Director Decimus Yarbrough, Karida Griffith Walker (trained by Sally Mack, The Radio City Rockettes, Cirque du Soleil, Dorrance Dance, founder of The Tap Teachers' Lounge and Roots, Rhythm, Race & Dance program), and Adrianna Audoma (20 years' dance experience, collaborative member of Tongue Dance Project since 2016, Alembic Resident at Performance Works Northwest).

Yes—the studio explicitly states 'we believe that dance is for everyone' and accepts dancers from creative movement through pre-professional levels, with placement based on ability rather than age.