YOLOSteppers

YOLO Steppers was founded on the principle of "You Only Live Once." Life is short, so why not make the most of it? Our founder, William Nealous, recognized the importance of creating a space where dancers are more than just names on a roster—they are part of a family. At YOLO Steppers, Chicago Style Stepping isn’t just a dance; it’s a lifestyle. We celebrate learning, dancing, and building community with like-minded people. Whether you are a beginner, an experienced dancer, or someone seeking a supportive social environment, our doors are always open to new people ready to move, connect, and grow.

 

In September 2010, William discovered Chicago Style Stepping through the 8-count method and immediately fell in love. Determined to become one of the best, he trained with some of Chicago’s finest dancers, including Mr. Tyrone, who taught stepping at a local university, and friends Redd and Sam from Chi-town. They helped refine his technique and introduced him to authentic Chicago stepping.

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By mid-2011, William was ready to compete at the World’s Largest Stepping Contest in Chicago and began serving as an assistant beginner instructor at his former organization.

 

In January 2012, William competed in his first contest at the Step It Up Contest in Atlanta, GA, with his dance partner Katarina Sawyer. Although they did not place, their drive to improve only grew stronger. Watch their performance here.

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In March 2012, William and Katarina competed in Minnesota at the Y’all Can’t Beat Us Steppers Contest. Again, they didn’t place—but as a former athlete, William learned that winners don’t lose, and losers don’t quit. See the contest here.

 

William then trained with Chicago stepping legend Ronnie B., who demanded hard work, dedication, and precision—lessons that would define William’s approach to teaching and performing.

By September 2012, William and Katarina competed as beginners at the World’s Largest Stepping Contest in Chicago and earned second place out of 14 couples. Watch their performance.

 

In October 2012, William became the male beginner/intermediate instructor at his former organization, and by early 2013, he was promoted to head instructor for intermediate and advanced students. He mastered both the 8-count and 6-count systems to accommodate growing student demand, teaching classes of 12–20 students.

 

William and Katarina continued competing, placing second at the 2013 Step It Up Contest in Atlanta. Watch here. They also returned to Chicago in September 2013 to compete in the New School Category at the World’s Largest Stepping Contest, facing top-tier Chicago and Detroit champions.

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Even as William considered taking a break in 2014, his students insisted he continue teaching. On March 24th, 2014, YOLO Steppers held its first official Chicago Style Stepping class at Blue Sea’s Restaurant, marking the start of a community where anyone can learn, grow, and enjoy the dance.