ABOUT THIS PROGRAM
This 10-month long program is carefully designed to provide a safer space for students of color to learn and grow in a dance studio environment. We strive to share a program where students build self-confidence, are eager to learn from their teachers and foster positive engagement with their peers.
Before enrolling into the program, students and families should carefully consider this commitment in light of academic and other activities. All students have the opportunity to participate in performances. Full participation is important as students prepare for their end-of-semester performances and for overall personal growth and team building.
History of the BIPOC Youth Dance Program (written by Mia O’Connor-Smith):
"Mia O’Connor created the BIPOC Youth Dance Program in 2017, offering a safe and inclusive space for Black dancers to find joy and connection through dance. The program provided full scholarships to ensure every dancer had access and created opportunities for students to perform alongside local musicians, fostering a strong sense of community and artistry.
By 2022, Steps PDX welcomed the program, expanding its reach with additional educators and more dance styles. This collaboration allowed the program to grow while continuing to serve its mission of accessibility and excellence in dance.
Mia has since moved on from Steps PDX to focus on raising her children, stewarding land with the Black Oregon Land Trust and launching a new program for young dancers, building on her commitment to equity and creativity in the arts."
This program has increased to 50 students, 3 teachers and multiple dance styles
*Note: This program is a combination of Ballet, Creative Movement, and Tap.
TUITION & OTHER FEES
Sliding Scale $200-$1,000 per student for the full 10-month program. Option to pay in full or monthly.
Costume fee $100
*This program is partially funded by grants and donations. To help continue making dance accessible to students of all backgrounds, follow this link to make a tax-deductible donation!
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS
Jill Giedt is a passionate creative with a focus on movement, dance and cultural exploration. She holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Directing. Jill taught, directed and choreographed musical theatre for over a decade at Park Academy. She currently teaches at Portland Public Schools through community outreach with OBT and is a resident artist with Young Audience where, through creative movement, she teaches a program that honors the African American experience and the lessons of resilience. In her youth, Jill was a member of the American Contemporary Ballet Company where she trained with Elizabeth Abts. She also studied and performed African dance with Obo Addy.
Karida Griffith Walker grew up training in a variety of dance styles in Portland, OR, primarily with local legend, Sally Mack. After finishing her business degree at New York University, Karida actively pursued her professional dance career. Highlights include: The Radio City Rockettes, Cirque du Soleil, The Tony Awards, Today Show, recurring appearances on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, European tour of Black & Blue, and the critically-acclaimed Tap dance company, Dorrance Dance. As an educator and choreographer, Karida has worked in a variety of settings including Pace University as an adjunct professor, Broadway Dance Center in NYC, the Children’s Theatre Company of NY, for Festivals & Conventions, and in a variety of wonderful recreational & competitive local dance studios. Karida also provides choreography, in-school residencies, and lectures about Tap Dance History in the public school setting for students of all ages. Karida founded The Tap Teachers’ Lounge in 2018, a comprehensive online training program for Tap Dance educators. And in 2020, Karida began offering seminars about Race & Dance History to public and private institutions. She also founded the Roots, Rhythm, Race & Dance program, a six-week professional development program which helps dance educators (from all styles & educational settings) to confidently introduce age-appropriate lessons around race and dance history to their students.
Adrianna Audoma is a Portland based dance artist with 20 years of dance experience, ranging from classical ballet training to highly athletic contemporary modern work to various improvisational studies. Adrianna has been a collaborative member of Tongue Dance Project since 2016 and is currently an Alembic Resident at Performance Works Northwest. Adrianna has been teaching dance to children of all ages for 9 years and has been a part of the Step PDX family since 2017.
