Welcome to St. Louis, Missouri & The Art of Chicago Style Steppin'!
Editor's Update: May 17, 2012

Andrew (Drew) Jones

Decemeber 2010 Stepper of the Month

Andrew (Drew) Jones is St. Louis' own, one of the best of the best Chicago Style Stepper & Instructor that we have in our city. His hard work and dedication to "The Art of Chicago Style Steppin" has earned him, by this editors [as an Original Old Skool Stepper for over (40) years] and that of many Chicago Heavy Hitters as well as the students he has instructed over the years recognition and appreciation for all he has accomplished in bringing a dance we all love to the forefront of St. Louis entertainment. Adding to his many talents he has become an excellent Stepper's DJ!

Background

Steppin' since 2005 Drew has accomplished and perfected his style to fit who he is. Taught by some of the top Heavy Hitters out of Chicago,

Master Steppers:

Tanya Nash - Former Winner Worlds Largest Steppers Contest & Instructor
Dave Maxx - Former Winner Worlds Largest Seppers Contest & Instructor
Ken Amario - Former Winner Worlds Largest Steppers Contest & Instructor
Calvin Barnes - Chicago's Original Master Stepper & Walker (40) Yrs Exp.

John M. Muldrew - Former Winner Worlds Largest Steppers Contest & Steppers DJ

Trips to Chicago specifically to learn, Drew invested his time and money in order to learn this dance the right way. In order to bring the knowledge home (St. Louis) to share with all who wanted to learn. The right way? Yes, there is a right way, from the beginning. Learning from a instructor who learned from another instructor, who learned from another instructor; Their combined experience totally maybe (6) years sometimes some of the information gets lost in translation. Learning from the best of the best in Chicago can be costly but is really the name of the game. This editor has stepped with Drew on several occasions and found him to have a wonderful mixture of Old & New Skool Steppin'. I mainly found he realizes who his partner is, who he is dancing with. I am old skool he adjusted accordingly that's what a real Master Stepper knows how to do. He learned that footwork is the key to being a real heavy hitter.

My Hat goes off to Drew, he learned from the best and learned well!

STL Steppers: John M., Leonard & Drew

"In Drew's Own Words"

I was exposed to Chicago Style Steppin' by friends while in college, and therefore had an idea of the concept and what it looked like. After attending my first class in St. Louis with Word of Mouth Entertainment, LLC I decided I had to go to Chicago to really learn the mechanics. I did my research and then proceeded to take classes in Chicago with Master Stepper Tanya Nash. I later received a Teaching Certification. Because I was asked to work with so many people in St. Louis, I wanted to be sure that I was teaching the dance correctly.

There are many Steppin' Classes within a small Steppin' Community. Reason: there exist different classes because some have a desire to share what they know in a manner unique to them. Additionally, some are motivated by a quest to be around people of similar philosophy. This is a good philosophy within its self.

I salute every person that has the initiative to start their own Steppin' Organization. If it is truly thought through, each Steppin' group will benefit as the community grows. Different organizational cultures can not be apart of Steppin' in order for the dance to grow we must be one we must all coexist.

I originally assisted Word of Mouth Entertainment with their classes, not as a member only as an independent Steppin' Instructor. My original goal was and still is to help any organization that taught or had a Steppin' Event. People are now requesting to choose who they want to teach with depending on their style of dance.

In the spring as WOME class break was coming up I was approached by scores of people asking me to continue teaching them after the break. I agreed on certain conditions that the date would not interfere with WOME classes on Tuesdays or Real Steppers S.C. classes on Thursdays. At that time these (2) organizations were the only ones offering classes. I chose my classes to start on a Sunday.

Know who I am:

I am a lover of the Dance "The Art of Steppin" I am not affiliated with any one particular Steppin' Organization and/or club in St. Louis. Sharing my knowledge as given to me by Master Steppers in Chicago, sharing my knowledge with St. Louis Steppers is my only goal. Taking pride in the accomplishments of my students who have chosen to learn the dance with me as their instructor is my satisfaction. To see Steppin' grow and all organizations coexist with one purpose, one goal to enhance the art. I am passionate about Steppin' if we are going to teach the dance lets do it right, the Chicago way! Chicago created this great dance, by us the instructors, teaching it the right way we show respect to the forerunners and when they see St. Louis on the floor the respect will show and be appreciated.

Steppin' is not just a dance, for me it's a Life Style!
Andrew (Drew) Jones

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Andrew (Drew) Jones