WHAT IS STEPPING?
Stepping is a kinetic dance form that uses the body as a percussive instrument to make music. African-American college students in fraternities and sororities created Stepping in the early 1900s as a way to showcase which organization ran the yard. Since its inception, Stepping has become a widespread dance form seen in music videos, film and hit TV dance competitions like So You Think You Can Dance and America’s Best Dance Crew.
WHAT IS BodyMusic?
BodyMusic is the opportunity for students of all ages to learn how to step. BodyMusic teaches Stepping as a disciplined dance form that incorporates collaboration and cooperation amongst students. Students not only learn pieces but also choreograph pieces. BodyMusic can be used for teambuilding, as an extra-curricular activity, a fundraising event or an educational tool. We will make sure your package is customized to your purpose.
SEJBodyMusic also serves as a vendor to after-school programs and summer camps providing dance instructors of all genres. Need an instructor? Contact us to customize your package.
SEJBodyMusic also serves as a vendor to after-school programs and summer camps providing dance instructors of all genres. Need an instructor? Contact us to customize your package.
WHO IS SEJ?
Shannan E. Johnson has been stepping for more than 20 years. She credits the militaristic, percussive dance form with teaching her the discipline and leadership skills necessary to navigate life. Shannan honed her stepping skills on the state championship Mademoiselle Step Team at Booker T. Washington H.S. in Houston, TX under the guidance of Bart Bertrand, Dwayne & Dwight Williams, Billy Williams, and Jakari Sherman, 2010 Metro DC Dance Award nominee and former Artistic Director of Step Afrika! After graduating from high school, Shannan became a choreographer for the Mademoiselle Team, her first stop on a road to choreographing for award-winning high school and college teams in Texas, Florida, California and the DMV.
After years of working as a junior creative executive in Television current programming and development, Shannan left Hollywood to join the first dance company dedicated to stepping and South African dance, Step Afrika! She dedicated 8 seasons to being a U.S. cultural ambassador, performer, and teaching artist in Step Afrika!, which took her to more than 17 countries and 48 states performing and teaching in primary schools, community centers, colleges and universities, theaters and performing arts centers.
Shannan began SEJBodyMusic in 2012 to introduce stepping to students in after-school programs in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area. Since then she has also performed with Sole Defined, a dance company started by Ryan Johnson (Step Afrika!, Stomp, Cirque du Soleil) and Quynn Johnson (After Midnight) that combines tap dance with stepping and other percussive dance forms. Shannan is currently an actor. When she isn't in a contract, she works as a teaching artist.
Musical Theater credits: Amazing Grace the Musical, Dreamgirls, Sister Act the Musical, Ghost the Musical.
Education: BA English and Journalism, TAMU/ MFA Film, Florida State University
After years of working as a junior creative executive in Television current programming and development, Shannan left Hollywood to join the first dance company dedicated to stepping and South African dance, Step Afrika! She dedicated 8 seasons to being a U.S. cultural ambassador, performer, and teaching artist in Step Afrika!, which took her to more than 17 countries and 48 states performing and teaching in primary schools, community centers, colleges and universities, theaters and performing arts centers.
Shannan began SEJBodyMusic in 2012 to introduce stepping to students in after-school programs in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area. Since then she has also performed with Sole Defined, a dance company started by Ryan Johnson (Step Afrika!, Stomp, Cirque du Soleil) and Quynn Johnson (After Midnight) that combines tap dance with stepping and other percussive dance forms. Shannan is currently an actor. When she isn't in a contract, she works as a teaching artist.
Musical Theater credits: Amazing Grace the Musical, Dreamgirls, Sister Act the Musical, Ghost the Musical.
Education: BA English and Journalism, TAMU/ MFA Film, Florida State University