Soul Steps speaks the language of rhythm.

 

Founded in 2005 by dancer, choreographer, and producer, Maxine Lyle, we are based in the New York City area and showcase the African-American dance tradition known as "stepping" (not to be confused with Irish step dance!). Our mission is to expand the presence of stepping throughout the world while creating avenues for cultural exchange and awareness among diverse communities. For over a century, step dancers have used their bodies as percussive instruments to create a new physical language that inspires, celebrates and forges community. Soul Steps brings this explosive art form to the stage in a high-energy performance that combines percussive movement, hip-hop rhythms, and call and response. Our performances, residencies, and educational programming are suitable for all ages.

 

We bring step everywhere! From school workshops in Brooklyn, to partnerships with U.S. Embassies throughout the world, to Paris Fashion Week, to a cameo in an indie rock band video, we embrace every opportunity to expose diverse communities to the magnetism and dynamic power of step. Our credits include a feature in the Diesel Jogg Jeans promotional video, “The A-Z of Dance;” the historical Rick Owens runway show during Paris Fashion Week 2013;  2012 Abok I Ngoma International Dance Festival (U.S. Embassy sponsored trip to Cameroon); Joyce SoHo, Every Little Step, a collaborative piece performed with Dance Theatre of Ireland (New York); Stepping in Remembrance, a U.S. Embassy commissioned September 11th commemorative piece, (Dublin); the Skena Up International Film and Theater Festival (U.S. Embassy sponsored trip to Kosovo), the New York Musical Theatre Festival (2007 and 2011), the Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Out Series; and a nationally aired MTVU promotional video. Soul Steps was named the 2010 Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities Cultural Artist of the year and was described in the New York Times as giving a performance that “excels in cross rhythms” (November 23, 2011, Joyce SoHo).