About

Biography

We Met In A Disco

J & J is truly a family affair. Jackie and I met dancing over 46 years ago, and have been line dancing for over 27 years, thanks to the amazing Belinda Haywood and the wonderful staff that makes up Festival at Sea.

How We Started Line Dancing

We have followed all of the recommended exercise programs, we joined various health clubs, walked or ran in the morning, tried yoga and everything else. The only problem is that we found if you don’t love it you won’t do it every day. We realized that we love to dance, and that the best shape of our lives was when we were partying and dancing a couple of nights each week. So that is why we started J & J Soulful Steps, to have fun, to exercise, get in shape and to share our love of line dancing.

We first started out teaching a few friends in our home. We outgrew that and were using the community room of a great day spa, Life Well Institute in Culver City. For over 15 years we were in the Fellowship Hall of First AME Church.

We have been blessed to conduct classes on the 5 Towers Stage at Universal City Walk, the only Soul Line Dancing group ever certified by NBC/Universal.

Jackie and I have also been blessed to be multi-year nominees for Western Region Dance and Choreographers of the Year from the UC Stars Awards Program.  We have been honored with winning Dance of the Year and Choreographers of the Year, as well as receiving a Trailblazer Award for our efforts in the Line Dance Community.

Our Methodology

Our basic methodology is to walk through all steps before cranking up the music, and call out all moves to make it easier to learn. We currently host Beginner and Intermediate classes three (3) days a week.

 

Come out and join us. We look forward to seeing you, and promise you will have a great time. We have a diverse group of great people, hot music, and are out to have a great time.

Cali Jam

Using Dance To Improve Lives

In 2014 we began the Cali Jam Experience with our non-profit entity Cheza Inc.  This 3 day line dance extravaganza has become one of the most recognized soul line dance events west of the Mississippi.  We typically host 600 attendees, who participate in workshops, events, gala parties and a Sunday Service and Beach Party.  Over the past eight years we have been blessed to be able to award over $40,000 in scholarships.