meet our team
Founder and Artistic Director of Steps PDX, Kathryn Harden was born and raised in Frederick, MD, where she began her early dance training at Frederick School of Classical Ballet, under the direction of Joyce Morrison at the age of 3. She has trained with CPYB, ABT New York, Suzanne Farrell, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and National Ballet of Canada. In 2008, Kathryn danced with Pacific Northwest Ballet, under the direction of Peter Boal. In 2011, she became a member of Ballet Idaho, and XAOC Contemporary Ballet in New York City in 2015. She earned her B.S. in Exercise Science and Kinesiology, as well as a B.F.A. in Dance Performance from Towson University in 2015. In October 2017, she founded Steps PDX and in 2018 was awarded Teacher of the Year by the Oregon Dance Education Organization. Kathryn has shared her knowledge and passion for dance by teaching kids and adults of all ages throughout New York City, Maryland and Oregon since 2008. Her mission is to continue educating, inspiring and enriching lives through her passion of dance by bringing together all forms of the dance community and nurturing successful professional dancers.
kathryn harden
Monica Parra was born and raised in San Diego, CA. Her first memories of dance are when she would visit her extended family in Mexico and studied Baile Folkórico. At 19 she attended the Ailey School in New York City where she was accepted into the Fellowship Program. She graduated from California State University Fullerton in 2011 where she received her BA in Dance. Monica danced professionally in Los Angeles for 4 years and worked closely with the non-profit organization Jubilee Consortium as program assistant and a music and movement teacher. In 2016 she relocated to Denver, Colorado and danced with Winifred R Harris’ Between Lines, Ascendance Project and was the Education Programs Coordinator at the Colorado Ballet.
monica parra
Xavier "Decimus" Yarbrough is a movement artist that was bred from a blend of martial arts and urban and club dance styles. With having a strong family history in music and dance, it was almost inevitable for him to find his passion within the same realm of arts. Decimus had always been invested in the culture of martial arts, ranging in disciplines such as Isshin Ryu, Hapkido and Capoeira-Angola. Hip-Hop/Bboyin found him at an early age where he began to further pursue his passion for dance and movement. The love for House music and dance and club culture began to develop while in his journeys of authentic feelings of freedom of expression. Throughout the years, Decimus has traveled to various parts of the world to experience, share and learn from other cultures. His movement currently ranges through various disciplines, such as; West African (Nigerian, Senegal/Gambia), Afro-Cuban, Salsa, Samba, Capoeira, Bboyin, Mainline or Nu Style Hip Hop and House Dance. For over 10 years now, Decimus has taught classes in residence with studios, along with workshops, camps and private lessons. An extensive choreographic career has also been established, with having choreographed and been commissioned for companies and shows; Urban Artistry, Baila Fuzion Dance Company, Inspirations Dance Studio, CREWcial dance company, Old Dominion University dance program and many more. Decimus currently dances & choreographs professionally for Rejoice!: Diaspora Dance Theater, as well as, advocating and preserving the urban dances and cultures that raised him, with his crew - Assassins: Warriors of Light based out of Washington D.C. With the firm belief that every artist remains a student for their entire journey, Decimus strives to be the best messenger and bearer of tradition he can be, in order to inspire as many people as possible to grow into their full potential within their passion.
decimus Yarbrough
Sarah Walsh began training in classical ballet at the age of four in Salem, Oregon. She has trained with American Ballet Academy, Oregon Ballet Theatre, and the Mercyhurst University Dance Department. She enjoys ballet, jazz, and contemporary styles, and has a passion for teaching aspiring dancers. Sarah is currently the studio manager for Steps PDX and a ballet and jazz instructor for Pacific Dance Academy.
Sarah Walsh
Lauren Smith was born and raised in Southern California, and has been dancing since the age of three. After training, she went on to earn a B.A. in Dance from California State University, Long Beach. In 2011, Lauren co-founded Tongue Dance Project with Stephanie Gilliland and has been dancing and performing in the company consistently since it’s creation. Lauren has been teaching and coaching dance for over 13 years, including working for non-profit organizations such as LA’s Best which brings the arts into low-income neighborhoods as well as dance studios, Parks and Recreation Centers, as well as being on the faculty for both Dance and Musical Theater at Idyllwild Arts Academy and Summer Program for seven years. Lauren moved to Portland, Oregon in 2017, and has since her arrival she has been dedicated to enriching and supporting the local dance community in every way possible. Lauren was a Co-Founder, Director, and Teacher at FLOOR Center for Dance. She is the Modern Contemporary Director at Steps PDX School and serves on the board for Steps for Youth.
Lauren Smith
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.
Adrianna Audoma
Originally from Gilbert, Az, she grew up studying primarily ballet as well as contemporary, modern, character dancing, flamenco and Pilates. Olivia danced professionally with the Oregon Ballet Theater for 6 years. In that time she performed in several ballets by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Christopher Stowell, Helen Pickett, Kent Stowell and Nicolo Fonte.
She has been teaching at Steps PDX Ballet School since 2017. She has previously taught for Sultanov Russian Ballet Academy, Oregon International Ballet Academy, Anya Klimiva-Preston Ballroom Academy, Rose City Rhythmic and Performing Arts Collaborative and Generation Skate 808 Figure Skating club.
olivia ornelas
Portland raised but LA bound, Jazmyn Thomas has become an energetic, fun, fierce and confident force to be reckoned with. After leaving Portland in 2015, she lived in New York where she learned the true potential of her voice, culture and individuality. Now living in LA, Jazmyn works at Movement Lifestyle under the direction of Shaun Evaristo, where she trains with some of the most well known and versed choreographers in the industry. Her strong and loud style has been shared with multiple studios, stages and video platforms making her demand higher than she ever imagined.
Jazmyn thomas
Alandra Black was born in Portland, Oregon and raised in Oregon and Oceanside, California. Her grandmother introduced her to ballet at age 3 by giving Alandra her first leotard, tutu and slippers. It was these sweet moments with her grandmother that led her to fall in love with dance. Dance has been one of the most profound outlets for Alandra where she gets to express herself in a multitude of ways. While studying Business Marketing at Portland State University, Alandra had the opportunity to deepen her other passions in Marketing and Photography. Working with family, friends, and various businesses across Portland, most notably Blue Star Donuts, Alandra has gained a lot of great experience and most importantly a better understanding of self and her place in this world. Alandra has learned that with effort and patience, you can truly do what you want and be who you want to be in this lifetime.
Alandra Black
Denise Busch is a certified DanceAbility teacher and dance movement exercise teacher who has enjoyed many forms of dance including flamenco, hip hop, and clogging. She choreographs the dances for the Portland Raging Grannies. She is a Nurse Practitioner who believes that movement and dance can be part of our growth experience and builds community.
Denise Busch
Candice Agahan started her dance training at age three in San Diego, California. Growing up, she attended private dance studios, The Element Dance Center and San Diego Dance Center, training and performing competitively in jazz, ballet, contemporary, lyrical and tap for 13 years before moving to Portland to attend college. While studying at PSU, she was part of the dance team and was captain for two years before graduating. Candice auditioned for the Blazer Dancers right out of college and spent the next four years on the team, with her last two years as a co-captain. During her time as a BlazerDancer, Candice was selected as a 2017 NBA All-Star Dancer and traveled to New Orleans to represent the Trail Blazers during the 2017 NBA All-Star Weekend. She was also selected to dance at the Anta Awards Ceremony in Quanzhou, China. She has performed at various community events, fundraisers and shows with Sirens Dancers and Lyfe Dance Company. Candice strives to help others grow their passion for movement and make dance accessible to everyone. She has been a Co-Founder of Momentum Workshops since 2020, which highlights female-identifying teachers through movement classes. All proceeds directly support Rose Haven women's and children’s shelter.
Candice Agahan
Jill is a passionate creative with a focus on movement, dance and cultural exploration. She has been spreading her love of dance through teaching Ballet and Creative Movement in the Steps For Youth BIPOC Dance Program since 2022. 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.
Jill Giedt
Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Kevin Fisk AKA “one8kevin” has been a B-boy (aka a dude that breaks) for nearly 25 years. He loves the artform, the culture, and is especially active as a participant in the local scene. As an original member of the Portland-based breaking crew “Moon Patrol Crew” (est. 2000) he has helped to organize many of the area’s largest breakin events and practice sessions over the years.
Currently his time is spent organizing and hosting “Break Thyself”, an adult-focused session for breakers hosted right here at Steps on Wednesday evenings. He is working to expand into instructing and facilitating both adult and youth centered breaking programs at Steps in 2023. His mission is to remind everybody that breaking is a Hip Hop element and is ultimately about Peace, Love, and Having Fun!
Kevin Fisk
Kenny is a freelance dancer / teacher / performer based in Portland, Oregon. Over the past decade they’ve trained and engaged with arts communities in Florida, New York City, Seattle, and in Europe. Kenny’s most recent projects include creating solo and ensemble work, dance films, festival performances, and experimental theatre.
During their time in Portland they’ve found their way into what they believe is a lifelong path of teaching dance / movement. Kenny is invested in cultivating containers for dance practice that are nourishing, approachable, and sustainable. Connection over Competition, Authenticity before Ambition, Freedom instead of Fear. Feel free to reach out if you have questions or curiosities about them and their work. Let’s move y’all!
Kenny Frechette
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, including Steps For Youth BIPOC Dance Program. To this end, 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.
Karida Griffith
Nick AKA NØIR is a dancer, choreographer, and visionary born and raised in Portland, OR. They specialize in Freestyle and Improv, specifically Hip Hop Freestyle, Popping, and Animation. To them, dance is about having fun, but also expressing your true and authentic self through the tools you are given. They believe in the importance of foundation and respecting the culture one partakes in while remaining true to who you are as an individual. Through drills, across the floors, choreography, and other exercises, NØIR’s class will help you develop the building blocks you need to learn the fundamentals of Hip Hop Dance, while slowly helping you gain the confidence to express yourself through freestyle.
nick chrisman
From a young age, Sophia Mladineo has held a deep curiosity towards life, leading her to various timelines. With human nature, culture and conversation being pillars of inspiration, she is always delighted to exchange. As an integral part of her narrative, Sophia’s been dancing since adolescence. Raised in Southern California, Los Angeles became a mecca for much of her training. Along the way, she has had the opportunity to work with different choreographers and artists from several walks of life. Sophia values community connection through expression and exploration; she is honored to be a part of the positive force.
Steph Ayako is a Japanese-American actor, model and dancer who grew up in Sarasota, Florida, and has been dancing and performing since the age of three. Today, Steph’s love for performing goes beyond just dancing. She is passionate about storytelling through different mediums, including filmmaking, writing, dance, movement, music, and theatre. Most recently, Steph performed a show with immersive, horror theatre company, Witch Hunt Theatre. Steph has also danced with Allison Franco’s Freshvibe Dance Crew.
Steph Ayako
Sophia Mladineo
Thomas Yale (TJ) is a world renowned performer and Choreographer. A Portland native, he commenced his dance career with the Jefferson Dancers in 1997 and spent over six years building and solidifying his skills as a performer and choreographer.After High school, Thomas moved to New York City and was promptly signed with Clear Talent Agency, under the direction of Rapsody James. While in New York, he reconnected with performing artist Jonte Moaning (Jefferson Dancer Alumni), and has toured various international cities including; Tokyo and Paris. In addition, he has performed at The Latin Grammys, Saturday Night Live, and was honorably invited to an O.M.S.I. taping benefit event with Gregory Hines. Locally, Thomas has also been working with Mark Smith of Nike (Creative Director of Jordan brand Nike), where he tests shoes for celebrity clients. Recently Thomas has been choreographing for daVinci Arts Middle School, and getting back to his tap roots. Working with local jazz artists, he is bringing back a classic art form with a new twist.
TJ yale
Tongue Dance Project was formed in 2014 by Stephanie Gilliland and Lauren Smith as a vehicle for choreographic exploration and artistic development in contemporary dance. Known for innovation in the realm of extreme physicality and athleticism, choreographer and multimedia artist, Gilliland is the former artistic director of the critically acclaimed Tongue/ contemporary dance based in Los Angeles from 1997 to 2006. The focus of the company is the evolution, creation and production of the artistic work of Gilliland in collaboration with the dancers. The company also has a strong commitment to teaching and community outreach and has been offering free community classes since its inception. Tongue Dance Project is currently working on building a base in both Southern California and Portland, Or.Stephanie Gilliland is a seasoned artist and arts educator, with a 30-year history as a choreographer, composer, multimedia dance artist, performer and teacher. Since 1977 she has co-founded two dance collectives and created three of her own dance companies, most notably, TONGUE/contemporary dance, based in Los Angeles from 1997 to 2006. Committed to innovation and experimentation, Gilliland has developed her own movement system and technique which continues to evolve and grow in collaboration with her dancers and students. She has choreographed and produced numerous concerts and evening length works and has been presented throughout the United States and abroad including Scotland, Mexico, the Soviet Union and Canada. Gilliland is the recipient of a Creativity Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, a Dance Maker grant from the James Irvine Foundation, and three Lester Horton awards. Her work has been supported by numerous granting organizations including Dance USA, the Durfee Foundation, Los Angeles Cultural Affairs, and the California Arts Council. In 2007 Gilliland was awarded a residency at the Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga, CA. Gilliland began her teaching career in 1980 and has served on the dance faculties of UC Riverside, UC Irvine, Loyola Marymount University, Mt San Jacinto College, Riverside Community College and the Idyllwild Arts Academy where she is currently in her twentieth year. In addition to her work in dance Gilliland is also a practitioner and teacher of yoga.
Uno is a Professional Dancer/ Choreographer/Stage Director born and raised between Dubai and Tokyo, who is trained in a multitude of disciplines like Hip-hop, House, contemporary, etc. She started her dance career early, and has been teaching since she was 16. Uno has spent 10+ years touring either as a backup dancer or as a choreographer/stage director for numerous j-pop, hip hop, folk artists around Japan. She recently moved to Portland and is looking forward to meeting new people in the world of movement and contributing the culture anyway she can.
Uno
Tongue Dance Project
Wes Lambeaux is a visionary when it comes to dance and Hip-Hop. His passion and determination have paved the way for him to be one of the most sought-after choreographers.
Wes began his dance career in a small town in Illinois. After graduating, he moved to Houston where he began his training in Hip-Hop, Street-Jazz and Jazz Funk. Shortly after, he moved to LA where he began to teach, direct and travel.
He has choreographed for WyldStyl Dance Team, Surrounded By Idiots, and has assisted directed Riot Squad, Lady Rascals, WyldStyl, Fly Dance Company / First Class and Galing. From 2011 until 2017 he was the choreographer of University of Houston’s Filipino Student Association’s Modern Dance Team winning multiple awards for choreography and performance. He has also danced many shows such as World Of Dance and GoodPhil, as well as hosting, directing and choreographing his own hour long shows “Die Young” and “KYHTS”.
Wes is blessed to inspire the dancers and artist that he comes in contact with on a daily basis and hopes to continue as an inspiration to this generation and many more to come.