05/24/2026
Yesterday we celebrated 30 years of Step By Step with our recital, Finding Oz… and I’m still trying to take it all in.
Throughout the night and afterward, so many people congratulated me on “a job well done,” but my response is always the same… I could never do this alone.
Step By Step has always been about community. Yes, we have an incredible staff of teachers, but this studio is held together by so many people behind the scenes who give their hearts, time, talent, energy, and love year after year.
First and foremost, I need to thank Miss Demetra. At the beginning of this season, I told her I didn’t want this recital to be about me. I wanted it to honor the kids because without them, there would be no Step By Step and there would be no me.
What I didn’t know was that she had secretly been working on the most beautiful surprise tribute video honoring my 30 years at the studio. The video played during our Musical Theater piece choreographed by Demetra to Home Sweet Home as part of our Finding Oz theme.
While it played on the big screen… I cried. I’m still crying.
She captured moments and memories that reminded me just how much life has happened inside these studio walls. And truthfully, for at least the last decade or so Demetra has played such an instrumental role in the growth of this studio and supporting my vision.
And while Demetra leads so much of that work, she certainly doesn’t do it alone.
Miss Tracy, Miss Zoe, Miss Sophia, Miss Nathalie, Miss Shannon, and Miss Olivia… the future of Step By Step is incredibly bright because of all of you. To watch former students grow into powerful teachers, choreographers, mentors, and role models has been one of the greatest gifts of my career.
The behind-the-scenes support this weekend was equally incredible. We probably had close to 25 volunteers helping us through dress rehearsal and recital day — many of whom return year after year not because they have to, but because they genuinely want to be part of this community.
After the show, alumni gathered together to reminisce, laugh, dream, eat, drink, and yes… dance the night away. We talked about the past, but we also talked about the future and how we continue growing this very special place together.
There just aren’t enough ways to say thank you to every person who deserves it.
But what I do know for certain is this:
Step By Step is special.
And maybe every studio thinks they have something special… but there is truly something different about the kids who walk through our doors and the families who support them. The love, loyalty, kindness, and sense of community here is something I never take for granted.
Thank you for trusting us with your children for 30 years.Thank you for growing with us. Thank you for believing in what we do.
And finally — to all our families and alumni — if you took photos or videos this weekend, please tag either the studio account or my personal account. Truthfully, I was so busy throughout the weekend that I barely took any pictures for myself. I’ll do my best to repost and share throughout the long weekend, but I’m still emotionally taking it all in, so it may take me a couple of days to catch up.
My heart is so full. BRAVO dancers!!!! Thank you for an unforgettable 30th recital. 💙
