Note: Steps PDX will be closed for the month of August (with the exception of our DanceAbility Teaching Training) to give our staff and students time to reset and prepare for the upcoming season.
If you have an active class pass and need an extension, please email us at Operations@stepspdx.com and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to dancing with you again in September!
A Glimpse into the Heart of Steps Pdx Dance Studio
Who Are We?
Founded in 2017 by Artistic Director Kathryn Harden, Steps PDX was created with a vision to bring exceptional dance training and a sense of belonging to the Portland community. What began as a single studio has grown into a thriving space where dancers of all ages and experiences can learn, create, and connect.
At Steps PDX, we believe that dance is for everyone. Our programs range from creative movement for our youngest dancers to pre-professional training for dedicated students preparing for a future in the arts. We are proud to offer a supportive environment where every dancer, whether they are exploring for fun or aiming for a career, can be challenged, celebrated, and inspired.
Our team of 20 highly experienced and passionate faculty come from diverse backgrounds as professional dancers, choreographers, and educators. Each teacher brings their own expertise and a deep commitment to mentoring students, cultivating curiosity, and helping every dancer discover their artistic voice.
Community is the heart and soul of Steps PDX. We believe that meaningful connections happen in the studio and beyond. Through collaborative performances, outreach programs, and mentorship, we create opportunities for dancers to grow not just in their technique, but in their confidence, empathy, and artistry.
More than just a dance studio, Steps PDX is a home, a place where students, families, and teachers come together to move, learn, and celebrate the joy of dance.
LEARN TO LEAD INCLUSIVE DANCE:
6-DAY INTENSIVE
This 6-day intensive is for dancers, educators, and therapists who want to lead inclusive, mixed-abilities classes. You'll learn foundational DanceAbility exercises, tools to teach all bodies together, and receive a certificate plus a teaching guide with 40+ exercises and daily notes.
Intensive Dates: August 1st - 10th, 2025
Sliding Scale Pricing: $250-450
STEP INTO YOUR POTENTIAL
DATES: Friday, September 5th - Sunday, September 7th
TIMES: Fri. 5:00-8:00pm / Sat. & Sun. 10:00am- 5:00pm
PRICING:
- Early Admission: $350 (through July 31)
- Regular Tuition: $450 (beginning August 1)
WHO TO EXPECT?
Train this summer, alongside internationally renowned dancers and master teachers who bring a wealth of experience from the professional stage to the studio. Our 2025 summer faculty includes:
Kathryn Morgan, Sean Rollofson, LeeWei Chao, Kathryn Harden, Lauren Smith, Olivia Ornelas, Adam Hartley, Stephanie Gilliland, Jingzi Zhao
TRAIN. TRANSFORM. PERFORM.
At Steps Pdx School, we offer a high-caliber curriculum designed to develop technical excellence, artistic expression, and overall well-being. Our Ballet/Modern School blends classical foundations with contemporary movement practices, giving dancers a well-rounded, enriching experience that builds strength, creativity, and confidence. Whether your dancer is just beginning or preparing for a pre-professional path, our faculty provides individualized mentorship and expert training in a supportive and inspiring community.
Level Placement Auditions | Saturday, September 13th
Orientation | Monday, September 8th
First Day of Classes | Tuesday, September 9th
Register today to join our 2025/26 season!
OWN YOUR GROOVE
This year we will be offering 2 levels for 2-terms, led by Steps PDX Hip Hop Director Decimus Yarbrough.
This program has been carefully curated to challenge the physical and technical abilities of each dancer in a positive and nurturing environment. We will provide knowledge and experiences for dancers to gain exposure into various styles that influence Hip Hop including; Locking, Rhythm Training, Street Jazz, Tap, Afro Funk, Footwork, Floor-work, House, and Choreography.
Level Placement Auditions
Tuesday, September 9th | 4:30-6:30PM | Ages 7-15
*Classes will begin Friday, September 12th
Register today to join our 2025/26 season!
NEW FALL OPEN CLASS SCHEDULE COMING SOON!
Fall classes run through Thursday, July 31st 2025. We will be closed for the month of August. Classes will start up again Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025. We have some new classes along with some familiar favorites. Click the link below to check out the new schedule. (If you need your class pass extended, Email us at: Operations@StepsPdx.com)
A DANCE CLASS FOR EVERYONE
DanceAbility is the study of movement improvisation for all people, for mixed abilities and mixed experiences. The four primary elements that we work with - sensation, relationship, time, and design - guide our practice and allow us to not only dance but dance together. At the basis of this work is the understanding that every movement can happen in any body relatively and that any movement can be interpreted by any body. Our goal is to create a culture of dance that eliminates isolation and works as a community through expression. This class is for all people meaning ALL PEOPLE!
*(Classes are on pause this summer and will start back up again in September). Check out our upcoming DanceAbility Orientation Teacher Training in August!
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR YOUTH
Steps for Youth awarded 80 scholarships to students who demonstrate natural abilities and have the passion to pursue a career in dance. This year we provided $36,092 for the 2024/2025 school year!
Our goal for 2025/2026 is to double our scholarship funds and continue to uplift youth by creating a more accessible art form.
we provided $36,092 in Scholarships for the 2024/2025 school year
BIPOC YOUTH PROGRAM
This 10-month long program offers creative movement, ballet and tap classes to 62 students from ages 3-9 years old. Over the past 4 years we have seen this program grow tremendously, and we hope to continue expanding and providing accessible and quality dance education for all.
Latest Performances
Dismantling systemic racism in dance is not a one time event. It is up to each and every one of us to not only reflect, but take action, not just today, but everyday.