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
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
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
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
Finn Wilder began his dance career under the supervision of Damon Keller, but his passion for dance intensified when he joined The Jefferson Dancers at 16 learning from amazing teachers like Bunky Williams, Lauren Smith, Steve Gonzales, Cynthia Tosh and Oluyinka Akinjiola. Over two years, he performed nationally and internationally, including a prestigious collaboration with Groupe & Compagnie Grenade in Aix-En-Provence, France. In 2023, The Jefferson Dancers talent was recognized at The National High School Dance Festival, where they won both 1st and 3rd place for Outstanding Student Choreography. Later, in 2024, he earned First Place for Outstanding Student Choreography at the Regional High School Dance Festival for his piece 'Peaks and Valleys'. Finn further honed his craft by studying the Limón Technique at Sam Houston State University while pursuing a BFA in Dance. Currently, he continues to build his career with StepsPDX and is preparing to open a dance studio in North Portland, where he plans to make a significant impact on the local dance community.
Finn WILDER
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
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
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
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.
nØIR
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.
Wes Lambeaux
Taylor (she/her), a Northern Virginia native, graduated from George Mason University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. In college, Taylor performed numerous works by notable choreographers, professors, and peers. Her choreography was presented at Washington D.C.’s John F. Kennedy Center in 2017. Following graduation, Taylor danced professionally in D.C., performing locally and internationally. She moved to Portland, OR, in 2019 and joined the Tongue Dance Project. In 2022, she co-produced an evening-length work titled "Even When It’s Dark" with music artist partner Patrick Foit. This project was sponsored by the Alumni Artist Support Initiative Grant for new works from George Mason University.
Now, Taylor is earning a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is incorporating trauma-informed methods into her dance teaching and performance. With holistic wellness as the intention behind her movement and teaching, Taylor believes that prioritizing mental health can support a sustainable and prosperous life filled with rich movement and creativity.
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.
Taylor Pasquale
TJ yale
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
Alexander “Lex” Dones (he/him) is a Portland-born interdisciplinary artist with an emphasis in dance and movement. After training in Portland, he moved to New York City at 18 to pursue a career in the performing arts, performing, choreographing, and collaborating with companies and artists such as MOMIX, NW Dance Project, Luna Negra Dance Theatre, and Doug Elkins, with whom he has toured internationally. His work has been presented at renowned venues and festivals including The Joyce Theater, Jacob’s Pillow, and the New Dance for Asia Festival in Seoul, where he represented the United States in 2017. A former Assistant Head Coach of the Dance Program at the Multnomah Athletic Club, Lex now teaches throughout the Portland-Metro area and creates independent works under the name soothsayer, with a mission to build supportive spaces where people of all backgrounds can explore and express themselves through art.
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.